Thailand, the land of smiles, is famed the world over for the beauty and delicacy of its art and culture, which once experienced, make such an unforgettable impression upon visitors that they wish to come back time and time again.
One thing that so delights them is the artistry of carved fruits and vegetables, an integral part of the presentation of delectable Thai food.
The Thai Art of Fruit and Vegetable Carving is a valuable heritage of Thailand and one of its oldest art forms. It was originated in 1364 when Nang Nopamas decorated the floating lamp for the Royal Festival celebrated on the night of the full moon of the 12th month of every year. She carved fruits and vegetables in a variety of flowers which were used to decorate the floating lamp, making It look like a huge water lily flower.
Many people tend to associate Halloween with demon worshiping and satanic rituals. However, Halloween originates from the Catholic Church. Catholics celebrate All Hallows Eve, or All Saints Day on November 1st. In Celtic Ireland, however, summer ended on October 31st with a holiday called Samhain, or the Celtic New Year. This holiday was considered a gateway for the land of the dead to meet the land of the living. The spirits of all those who died throughout the preceding year were believed to come back in search of a living body to possess.
The exquisite craft of fruit and vegetable carving developed very slowly, constantly adapting to the prosperity of the population. At the time of the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-906) and the Sung Dynasty (AD 960-1279) the garnishing of food was already widespread in China.