Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Cambodian - and also the name of their language.
Koh Island.
Kompong Village on a river or lake.
Krama Cambodian checked scarf.
Krishna The eighth incarnation (avatar) of Vishnu.
Often shown playing a flute.
Kurma Second incarnation (avatar) of Vishnu, when he
appeared as a giant turtle to support Mount Mandara
during the Churning of the Ocean of Milk.
Lakshmi Wife of Vishnu, and the goddess of good
fortune and beauty.
Laterite Soft, porous rock that hardens in the sun to a
hard, resilient stone.
Leahng Cave.
Linga Phallic-shaped stone representing Shiva.
Lokesvara Cambodian name for the bodhisattva
Avalokitesvara, often called “the compassionate”.
Mahabharata Hindu epic dealing with the rivalry
between the Kaurava and Pandava families.
Mahayana One of the two principal schools of
Buddhism, along with Theravada Buddhism.
Makara Mythical sea monster with the body of a
crocodile and the trunk of an elephant.
Mandapa Antechamber attached to the central
sanctuary tower of a Hindu temple.
Matsya The first incarnation (avatar) of Vishnu, during
which he appeared as a giant fish.
Mount Meru Mountain home of the gods, at the
centre of the universe in Hindu cosmology.
Mudra Traditional Buddhist poses, widely depicted
in Buddhist art, and also in Cambodian classical
dancing.
Naga Sacred multi-headed snake, seen as a protector
and often depicted along staircases or across
causeways.
Nandin Sacred bull, and mount of Shiva.
Narasimha Fourth incarnation (avatar) of Vishnu, as
half man-half lion.
Nirvana A state in which desire ends and the cycle of
birth, death and rebirth is broken.
NRP Norodom Ranariddh Party.
Pagoda Cambodian wat/temple.
Parvati Hindu goddess and wife of Shiva.
Phnom Mountain or hill.
Phum Village.
Pinpeat Cambodian “orchestra”, usually comprising
around ten instruments, mainly wind and
percussion.
Prasat Sanctuary tower.
Preah A title of spiritual respect, used for gods and
holy men; also means “sacred”.
Psar Market.
Quincunx Arrangement of five objects with one
at the centre and the others at each corner of a
Avalokitesvara See “Lokesvara”.
Avatar Incarnation of a Hindu deity.
Banteay Citadel or fortified enclosure.
Barang Slang term meaning French, and often applied
to foreigners in general.
Baray Reservoir or Lake.
Bodhisattva One who has attained enlightenment but
forgoes nirvana to help others.
Boeung lake.
Brahma Hindu god, often referred to as the Creator.
Brahman Hindu priest.
Buddha One who has achieved enlightenment.
Cham Major ethnic group living in Cambodia and
Vietnam, and forming the majority of Muslims in
both these countries.
Chedi Structure in which cremated ashes are interred;
also called a stupa.
Chunchiet Generic term for the minority hill-tribe
groups.
CPP Cambodian People's Party.
Cyclo Three-wheeled bicycle rickshaw.
Deva Male deity.
Devaraja Literally “god who would be king”; the
Khmer king, according to the devaraja cult, would
fuse with a deity upon his death.
Devata Female deity.
Dvarapala Temple guardians - usually carved figures
found flanking entrances to shrines.
FUNCINPEC Front Uni National pour un Cambodge
Indépendant, Neutre, Pacifique et Coopératif - the
royalist political party.
Ganesh Elephant-headed Hindu god of good fortune
and success.
Garuda Mythical creature associated with Vishnu,
having the body of a man with the head and feet
of a bird.
Gopura Entry pavilion/gatehouse to the sacred area
of a temple.
Hamsa Sacred goose associated with Brahma.
Hanuman Monkey god and right-hand man (or, rather,
monkey) to Krishna in the Ramayana .
Harihara God created from the union of Shiva and
Vishnu.
Heng Mythical bird.
Hol Method of weaving; pattern of silk fabric.
Indochina Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.
Indra Hindu god of the sky.
Jataka Tales recounting the past lives of the Buddha.
Kala Mythical creature with bulbous eyes, claws and
no lower jaw.
Khapa Chunchiet basket with shoulder straps, worn
on the back.
Khmer The principal indigenous people of Cambodia
- the term is often used interchangeably with
 
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