View source for Nāga

{{Short description|Mythological creatures in Indian religions}}
{{for-multi|the modern ethnic group|Naga people|other uses|Naga (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox deity
| type = Hindu
| name = Nāga
| image = File:Naga et Nagini (Temple de Chennakeshava à Belur, Inde) (14319408898) (cropped).jpg
| caption = A nāga couple, featured as a [[Chennakeshava Temple, Somanathapura|Chennakeshava Temple]] relief
| script = नाग
| script_name = [[Devanagari]]
| abode = [[Patala]]
| venerated_in = [[Hinduism]], [[Buddhism]]
| texts = [[Mahabharata]], [[Puranas]]
}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2016}}

In various Asian religious traditions, the '''Nāgas''' ({{Langx|sa|नाग|translit=Nāga}})<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sanskritdictionary.com/?iencoding=iast&q=%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%80&lang=sans&action=Search|title=Lord Shiva|website=Sanskrit Dictionary |access-date=2018-09-27|archive-date=24 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224131424/http://sanskritdictionary.com/?iencoding=iast&q=%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%80&lang=sans&action=Search|url-status=live}}</ref> are a divine, or semi-divine, race of half-human, half-serpent beings that reside in the netherworld ([[Patala]]), and can occasionally take human or part-human form, or are so depicted in art. Furthermore, nāgas are also known as [[Dragon|dragons]] and [[Water spirit|water spirits]]. A female nāga is called a '''[[Naiṇī Devī|Nagini]]''' ([[Hindi]]: Nagin). According to legend, they are the children of the sage [[Kashyapa]] and [[Kadru]]. Rituals devoted to these supernatural beings have been taking place throughout South Asia for at least 2,000 years.<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Nāgas |encyclopedia=Brill's Encyclopedia of Hinduism Online|doi=10.1163/2212-5019_beh_com_000337}}</ref> They are principally depicted in three forms: as entirely human with snakes on the heads and necks, as common serpents, or as half-human, half-snake beings in [[Hinduism]] and [[Buddhism]].

''[[Nagaraja]]'' is the title given to the king of the nāgas.<ref>{{cite book|last=Elgood|first=Heather|title=Hinduism and the Religious Arts|year=2000|publisher=Cassell|location=London|isbn=0-304-70739-2|page=234}}</ref> Narratives of these beings hold cultural significance in the mythological traditions of many [[South Asia]]n and [[Southeast Asia]]n cultures, and within Hinduism and Buddhism. Communities such as the [[Nagavanshi|Nagavamshi]], [[Khmer people|Khmer]] and [[Sri Lankan Tamils]] claim descent from this race.

== Etymology ==
{{Wikispecies|Naja naja}}
In Sanskrit, a {{IAST|nāgá}} ({{lang|sa|[[:wikt:नाग#Sanskrit|नाग]]}}) is a snake, most often depicted by the [[Indian cobra]] (''Naja naja''). A synonym for ''{{IAST|nāgá}}'' is ''{{IAST|phaṇin}}'' ({{lang|sa|[[:wikt:फणिन्#Sanskrit|फणिन्]]}}). There are several words for "snake" in general, and one of the very commonly used ones is ''{{IAST|sarpá}}'' ({{lang|sa|[[:wikt:सर्प#Sanskrit|सर्प]]}}). Sometimes the word ''{{IAST|nāgá}}'' is also used generically to mean "snake".<ref name=Apte>{{cite book|last1=Apte|first1=Vaman Shivram|title=The student's English-Sanskrit dictionary|url=https://archive.org/details/studentsenglishs00apte_271|date=1997|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|location=Delhi|isbn=81-208-0299-3|edition=3rd rev. & enl.}}, p. 423. The first definition of ''nāgaḥ'' given reads "A snake in general, particularly the cobra." p.539</ref> The word is [[cognate]] with English 'snake', Germanic: ''*snēk-a-'', [[Proto-Indo-European language|Proto-IE]]: ''*(s)nēg-o-'' (with [[Indo-European s-mobile|s-mobile]]).<ref>Proto-IE: *(s)nēg-o-, Meaning: snake, Old Indian: nāgá- m. 'snake', Germanic: *snēk-a- m., *snak-an- m., *snak-ō f.; *snak-a- vb.: {{cite web|url=http://starling.rinet.ru/cgi-bin/response.cgi?single=1&basename=%2Fdata%2Fie%2Fpiet&text_number=2649&root=config|title=Indo-European etymology|access-date=9 August 2010|archive-date=21 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121010746/http://starling.rinet.ru/cgi-bin/response.cgi?single=1&basename=%2Fdata%2Fie%2Fpiet&text_number=2649&root=config|url-status=live}}</ref>

Alternatively, an Indo-European etymology as a "hairless, naked animal"—cognate to English "naked"—would explain that the Sanskrit word ''nāga'' can also mean "cloud", "mountain" or "elephant".<ref name=Mayrhofer>{{cite book|last1=Mayrhofer|first1=Manfred|title=Etymologisches Wörterbuch des Altindoarischen|date=1996|publisher=Winter|location=Heidelberg|volume=2}}, p. 33.</ref>

== Hinduism ==
[[File:Patanjali.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Patanjali]] as [[Shesha|Śeṣa]].]]

Nāgas, as a serpent-shaped group of deities that often take form as cobras, are prominent in [[Hindu iconography]], throughout Hindu texts (especially in the first book of the [[Mahabharata|Mahābhārata]]) and in local folk traditions of worship.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lange |first1=Gerrit |title=Cobra Deities and Divine Cobras: The Ambiguous Animality of Nāgas |journal=Religions |date=2019 |volume=10 |issue=8 |page=454 |doi=10.3390/rel10080454 |doi-access=free }}</ref> In some regions of the Himalaya, nāgas are regarded as the divine rulers of the region — for example, in [[Kullu Valley]], in [[Berinag]] and in the valley of the [[Pindar River]], which is believed to be ruled by the ninefold [[Naiṇī Devī]]. Both in the [[Nilamata Purana]] of [[Kashmir]] and in the [[Swayambhu Purana]] of [[Kathmandu]], the respective region begins its history as a lake, populated by nāgas, which is later drained.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Deeg |first1=Max |title=Miscellanae Nepalica. The Foundation Legend of Nepal in Its Trans-Himalayan Context |date=2016 |publisher=LIRI |location=Lumbini}}</ref>

Ancient Sanskrit texts such as the Mahabharata, the [[Ramayana]], and the [[Puranas]]  describe the nāgas as a powerful, splendid and proud semi-divine species that can assume their physical form either as human (often with a halo of cobra hoods behind their head), as a partially human serpent, or as a whole serpent. Their domain is in the enchanted underworld, the underground realm filled with gems, gold and other earthly treasures called ''Naga-loka'' or ''Patala-loka''. They are also often associated with bodies of waters—including rivers, lakes, seas, and wells—and are guardians of treasure.<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/naga-Hindu-mythology|title=Naga {{!}} Hindu mythology|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Britannica|access-date=2018-05-11|language=en|archive-date=4 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220904152421/https://www.britannica.com/topic/naga-Hindu-mythology|url-status=live}}</ref> Their power and venom make them potentially dangerous to humans. However, in [[Hindu mythology]], they often take the role of benevolent protagonists: in the [[Samudra manthan|Samudra Manthana]], [[Vasuki (snake)|Vasuki]], a [[nagaraja]] who abides on [[Shiva]]'s neck, became the churning rope for churning of the [[Kshira Sagara|Ocean of Milk]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hinduism.stackexchange.com/questions/15105/why-was-vasuki-used-in-samudra-manthan-great-ocean-churning|title=Why was vasuki used in Samudra Manthan great ocean Churning|website=Hinduism Stack Exchange|access-date=2018-05-11|archive-date=11 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511220024/https://hinduism.stackexchange.com/questions/15105/why-was-vasuki-used-in-samudra-manthan-great-ocean-churning|url-status=live}}</ref> Their eternal archrival is the [[Garuda|Garuḍa]], the legendary semi-divine bird-like deity.<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Garuda|title=Garuḍa {{!}} Hindu mythology|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Britannica|access-date=2018-05-11|language=en|archive-date=11 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511221815/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Garuda|url-status=live}}</ref>
 
[[Vishnu]] is originally portrayed in the form sheltered by [[Shesha|Sheshanāga]] or reclining on Shesha, but the iconography has been extended to other deities as well. The serpent is a common feature in [[Ganesha]] iconography, and appears in many forms: around the neck,<ref>For the story of wrapping {{IAST|Vāsuki}} around the neck and {{IAST|Śeṣa}} around the belly and for the name in his sahasranama as {{IAST|Sarpagraiveyakāṅgādaḥ}} ("Who has a serpent around his neck"), which refers to this standard iconographic element, see: Krishan, Yuvraj (1999), Gaņeśa: Unravelling An Enigma, Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass Publishers, {{ISBN|81-208-1413-4}}, pp=51-52.</ref> use as a [[Upanayana|sacred thread]] (Sanskrit: ''{{IAST|yajñopavīta}}'')<ref>For text of a stone inscription dated 1470 identifying Ganesha's sacred thread as the serpent {{IAST|Śeṣa}}, see: Martin-Dubost, p. 202.</ref> wrapped around the stomach as a belt, held in a hand, coiled at the ankles, or as a throne.<ref>For an overview of snake images in Ganesha iconography, see: Martin-Dubost, Paul (1997). Gaņeśa: The Enchanter of the Three Worlds. Mumbai: Project for Indian Cultural Studies. {{ISBN|81-900184-3-4}}, p. 202.</ref> Shiva is often shown garlanded with a snake.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Flood |first=Gavin |url=https://archive.org/details/introductiontohi0000floo |title=An Introduction to Hinduism |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=1996 |isbn=0-521-43878-0 |location=Cambridge |url-access=registration}}; p. 151</ref> Maehle (2006: p.&nbsp;297) states that "Patanjali is thought to be a manifestation of the serpent of eternity". {{Hinduism}}

=== Folk traditions ===
In South India, termite hills are believed to be the dwelling place of female nagammas,<ref>König, Ditte (1984). Das Tor zur Unterwelt. Mythologie und Kult des Termitenhügels in der schriftlichen und mündlichen Tradition Indiens. Heidelberg: Franz Steiner.</ref><ref>Alloco, Amy (2013). Fear, Reverence and Ambivalence. Divine Snakes in Contemporary South India. Religions of South Asia 7: 230–48.</ref><ref>Alloco, Amy. 2014. Snakes in the Dark Age. Human Action, Karmic Retribution, and the Possibilities for Hindu Animal Ethics. In Asian Perspectives on Animal Ethics. Rethinking the Nonhuman. Edited by Neil Dalal and [[Chloë Taylor]]. London and New York: Routledge.</ref> whereas Himalayan Nags and Naginis, such as [[Naiṇī Devī]] of [[Pindar River|Pindar Valley]], are worshipped as underworld beings protecting water resources and the wellbeing of village and valley.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lange |first1=Gerrit |title=Western Himalayan Nāgs as Guardians of Water Resources |journal=Journal for the Study of Religion, Nature & Culture |date=2017 |volume=11 |issue=3 |pages=361–378 |doi=10.1558/jsrnc.33600}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Lange |first=Gerrit |date=2024 |editor-last1=Hegewald |editor-first1=Julia |editor-last2=Gymnich|editor-first2=Marion |title=Images and Stories of the Origin(s) of the World and Humankind |publisher=Mohr Siebeck |pages=178–204 |chapter=Chapter 7: Creating a Landscape through Myths. The Journey of Naiṇī or Nāginā Devī, a Nine-fold Western Himalayan Hindu Goddess  |location=Tübingen |isbn=978-3-16-162737-8}}</ref>

=== Literature ===
{{See also|Shesha|Vasuki|Manasa}}
The ''[[Mahabharata]]'' epic is the first text that introduces nāgas; it describes them in detail and narrates their stories.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Lange|first=Gerrit|date=2019-07-26|title=Cobra Deities and Divine Cobras: The Ambiguous Animality of Nāgas|journal=Religions|volume=10|issue=8|page=454|doi=10.3390/rel10080454|issn=2077-1444|doi-access=free}}</ref> The cosmic snake [[Shesha]], the [[nagaraja]]s (nāga kings) [[Vasuki]], [[Takshaka]], Airavata and [[Karkotaka]], and the princess [[Ulupi]], are all depicted in the Mahabharata.

The [[Brahma Purana]] describes the reign of Adishesha as the king of the serpents in Patala:<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2018-03-17 |title=The Magnitude of Netherworlds [Chapter 19] |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/brahma-purana-english/d/doc216089.html |access-date=2022-08-05 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en |archive-date=5 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805155846/https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/brahma-purana-english/d/doc216089.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{Blockquote|text=During the night the light of the moon is not utilised for its coolness but only for illumination.

Since that passes away is not taken notice of by the nāgas who enjoy with gaiety the foodstuffs and the edibles they consume and the great beverages they drink. Nor are Danujas and others aware of it.

O brahmins, the forests, rivers, lakes, and lotus ponds, the cooing of the cuckoo and other sweet birds, the pleasing skies, the unguents and the continuous notes and sounds of musical instruments such as the lute, flute and Mṛdaṅga drums, O brahmins—all these and other beautiful things are enjoyed by virtue of their good luck by Dānavas, Daityas and Nāgas residing in Pātāla. The Tāmasī form of Viṣṇu, named Śeṣa is beneath the lower regions.

Daityas and Dānavas are not capable of recounting his good qualities. He is honoured by Devas and celestial sages. He is spoken of as Ananta. He has a thousand hoods and he is clearly bedecked in Svastika ornaments devoid of impurities. He illuminates all quarters by thousand jewels on his hoods.|title=[[Brahma Purana]]|source=Chapter 19}}
The [[Ramavataram|Kamba Ramayana]] describes the role of Vasuki in the [[Samudra Manthana]]:<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2019-01-28 |title=Story of Vāsuki |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/compilation/puranic-encyclopaedia/d/doc242049.html |access-date=2022-08-05 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en |archive-date=5 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805155806/https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/compilation/puranic-encyclopaedia/d/doc242049.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{Blockquote|text=The devas and the asuras decided to get Amṛta (Ambrosia—the celestial honey of immortalily) by churning the sea of milk. The Devas went to bring Mandara-mountain, to be used as the churning rod. Their attempt was futile. The asuras made a trial with the same result. The Bhūtagaṇas (Guards) of Śiva also made a vain attempt. On the instruction of Viṣṇu, Garuḍa went and brought the mountain as easily as an eagle takes away a frog. Now Vāsuki should be brought. The Devas and Gandharvas failed in that attempt also. Garuḍa who was haughty of his strength and speed, went to the city of the nāgas (serpents) and requested Vāsuki to come to the sea of Milk. Vāsuki replied that if the matter was so urgent he had no objection for being carried to that place. He took the middle part of Vāsuki in his beak and flew up higher and higher and reached beyond the horizon. Still the lower half of Vāsuki was lying on the ground. So he took Vāsuki in his beak as folded in two. Still the result was the same. Garuḍa became aware of the impossibility of carrying Vāsuki and returned, ashamed and disappointed. Viṣṇu rebuked him for his arrogance. After this, Śiva stretched his hand to Pātāla. Vāsuki became a small bangle on that hand. Thus Vāsuki was brought to the shore of the sea of Milk.|author=[[Kambar (poet)|Kambar]]|title=[[Ramayana]]|source=Yuddha Kanda}}
The [[Devi-Bhagavata Purana|Devi Bhagavata Purana]] describes the legend of Manasa:<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2013-05-15 |title=On Manasā's story [Chapter 47] |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/devi-bhagavata-purana/d/doc57360.html |access-date=2022-08-05 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en |archive-date=5 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805155806/https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/devi-bhagavata-purana/d/doc57360.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{Blockquote|text=Manasā is the mind-born daughter of Maharṣi Kaśyapa; hence she is named Manasā; or it may be She who plays with the mind is Manasā. Or it may be She who meditates on God with her mind and gets rapture in Her meditation of God is named Manasā. She finds pleasure in Her Own Self, the great devotee of Viṣṇu, a Siddha Yoginī. For three Yugas She worshipped Śrī Kṛṣṇa and then She became a Siddha Yoginī. Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Lord of the Gopīs, seeing the body of Manasā lean and thin due to austerities, or seeing her worn out like the Muni Jarat Kāru called her by the name of Jarat Kāru. Hence Her name has come also to be Jarat Kāru. Kṛṣṇa, the Ocean of Mercy, gave her out of kindness, Her desired boon; She worshipped Him and Śrī Kṛṣṇa also worshipped Her. Devī Manasā is known in the Heavens, in the abode of the Nāgas (serpents), in earth, in Brahmāloka, in all the worlds as of very fair colour, beautiful and charming. She is named Jagad Gaurī as she is of a very fair colour in the world. Her other name is Śaivī and she is the disciple of Śiva. She is named Vaiṣṇavī as she is greatly devoted to Viṣṇu. She saved the Nāgas in the Snake Sacrifice performed by Pariksit, she is named Nageśvarī and Nāga Bhaginī and She is capable to destroy the effects of poison. She is called Viṣahari. She got the Siddha yoga from Mahādeva; hence She is named Siddha Yoginī|title=[[Devi Bhagavata Purana]]|source=Chapter 47}}

== Buddhism ==
[[File:2006 0922 wat phrathat doi suthep buddha mucalinda.JPG|thumb|[[Mucalinda]] sheltering [[Gautama Buddha]] (Buddha in [[Naga Prok attitude]]) at [[Wat Phra That Doi Suthep]] in [[Chiang Mai]], Thailand.]]
As in Hinduism, the Buddhist nāga generally has sometimes been portrayed as a human being with a snake or dragon extending over his head.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Forbes |first1=Andrew |last2=Henley |first2=Daniel |last3=Ingersoll |first3=Ernest |last4=Henley |first4=David |chapter=Indian Nagas and Draconic Prototypes |title=The Illustrated Book of Dragons and Dragon Lore |publisher=Cognoscenti Books |asin=B00D959PJ0 }}</ref> One nāga, in human form, attempted to become a monk, and when telling it that such ordination was impossible, the Buddha told it how to ensure that it would be reborn a human, and so able to become a monk.<ref>{{cite web|last=Brahmavamso|first=Ajahn|title=VINAYA The Ordination Ceremony of a Monk|url=https://www.budsas.org/ebud/ebsut020.htm|access-date=12 October 2012|archive-date=16 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116153725/http://budsas.org/ebud/ebsut020.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

The nāgas are believed to both live on [[Patala|Nagaloka]], among the other minor deities and in various parts of the human-inhabited earth. Some of them are water-dwellers, living in streams or the ocean; others are earth-dwellers, living in caverns.

The nāgas are the followers of {{IAST|[[Virūpākṣa]]}} (Pāli: Virūpakkha), one of the [[Four Heavenly Kings]] who guards the western direction. They act as guards upon Mount Sumeru, protecting the [[deva (Buddhism)|dēvas]] of [[Trāyastriṃśa]] from attacks by the [[Asura (Buddhism)|asuras]].

Among the notable nāgas of Buddhist tradition is [[Mucalinda]], [[nagaraja]] and protector of the Buddha. In the Vinaya Sutra (I, 3), shortly after his enlightenment, the Buddha is meditating in a forest when a great storm arises, but graciously, King Mucalinda gives shelter to the Buddha from the storm by covering the Buddha's head with his seven snake heads.<ref name="ReferenceA">P. 72 ''How Buddhism Began: The Conditioned Genesis of the Early Teachings'' By Richard Francis Gombrich</ref> Then the king takes the form of a young [[Brahmin]] and renders the Buddha homage.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

In the [[Vajrayana|Vajrayāna]] and [[Mahasiddha|Mahāsiddha]] traditions,{{sfn|Béer|1999|p=71}} nāgas in their half-human form are depicted holding a nāgas-jewel, [[kumbha]]s of [[amrita]], or a [[terma (religion)|terma]] that had been elementally encoded by adepts. In [[Tibetan Buddhism]], nāgas are known as ''klu'' or ''klu-mo'' and they are associated with water and cleanliness, as they live in oceans, rivers, lakes, and springs, and do not want their environments to be disturbed or polluted.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |title=The Tibetan Book of the Dead |publisher=[[Viking Press]] |year=2005 |isbn=0-670-85886-2 |location=New York |page=508 |translator-last=Dorje |translator-first=Gyurnme |translator-last2=Coleman |translator-first2=Graham |translator-last3=Jinpa |translator-first3=Thupten}}</ref>

The two chief disciples of the Buddha, [[Sariputta]] and [[Maudgalyayana|Moggallāna]] are both referred to as ''Mahānāga'' or "Great nāga".<ref>P. 74 ''How Buddhism Began: The Conditioned Genesis of the Early Teachings'' By Richard Francis Gombrich</ref> Some of the most important figures in Buddhist history symbolize nāgas in their names such as [[Dignāga]], [[Nagasena|Nāgāsēna]], and, although other etymons are assigned to his name, [[Nagarjuna|Nāgārjuna]].

=== Literature ===
[[File:Wat Phra Kaew Naga.JPG|thumbnail|upright|Nāga at the steps of a building in the [[Wat Phra Kaew]] in [[Bangkok]].]]

The [[Nāga Saṃyutta]] of the [[Pali Canon]] consists of [[suttas]] specifically devoted to explaining nature of the nāgas.

In the "Devadatta" chapter of the ''[[Lotus Sutra]]'', the daughter of the dragon king, an eight year old [[longnü]] (龍女, {{IAST|nāgakanyā}}), after listening to [[Manjusri|Mañjuśrī]] preach the Lotus Sutra, transforms into a male Bodhisattva and immediately reaches full enlightenment.<ref name=Schuster1981>{{cite journal |last1=Schuster |first1=Nancy |title=Changing the Female Body: Wise Women and the Bodhisattva Career in Some Mahāratnakūṭasūtras |journal=Journal of the International Association of Buddhist Studies |date=30 June 1981 |volume=4 |issue=1 |pages=24–69 |url=https://journals.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/index.php/jiabs/article/view/8533 |access-date=23 August 2020 |archive-date=5 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200905171603/https://journals.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/index.php/jiabs/article/view/8533 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>Kubo Tsugunari, Yuyama Akira (tr.). [https://web.archive.org/web/20150521183528/http://www.bdkamerica.org/digital/dBET_T0262_LotusSutra_2007.pdf The Lotus Sutra]. Revised 2nd ed. Berkeley, Calif. : Numata Center for Buddhist Translation and Research, 2007. {{ISBN|978-1-886439-39-9}}, pp. 191-192</ref><ref>Soka Gakkai Dictionary of Buddhism, "Devadatta Chapter"</ref> Some say this tale appears to reinforce the viewpoint prevalent in Mahayana scriptures that a male body is required for Buddhahood, even if a being is so advanced in realization that they can magically transform their body at will and demonstrate the emptiness of the physical form itself.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Peach |first1=Lucinda Joy |title=Social Responsibility, Sex Change, and Salvation: Gender Justice in the ''Lotus Sūtra'' |journal=Philosophy East and West |date=2002 |volume=52 |issue=1 |pages=50–74 |doi=10.1353/pew.2002.0003 |id={{ProQuest|216882403}} |jstor=1400133 |citeseerx=10.1.1.820.9411 |s2cid=146337273 }}</ref> However, many schools of Buddhism and classical, seminal Chinese exegeses interpret the story to repudiate this viewpoint, stating the story demonstrates that women can attain Buddhahood in their current form.<ref name=Schuster1981/>

According to tradition, the Prajñapāramita sutras had been given by the Buddha to a great nāga who guarded them in the sea, and were conferred upon Nāgārjuna later.<ref name="Donaldson2001">{{cite book|author=Thomas E. Donaldson|title=Iconography of the Buddhist Sculpture of Orissa: Text|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DbxE8zOuRbUC&pg=PA276|year=2001|publisher=Abhinav Publications|isbn=978-81-7017-406-6|page=276|access-date=20 September 2017|archive-date=11 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011145841/https://books.google.com/books?id=DbxE8zOuRbUC&pg=PA276|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="(Jo-nang-pa)1990">{{cite book|author=Tāranātha (Jo-nang-pa)|title=Taranatha's History of Buddhism in India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4yXn-lVdqGgC&pg=PA384|year=1990|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|isbn=978-81-208-0696-2|page=384|access-date=20 September 2017|archive-date=11 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011145847/https://books.google.com/books?id=4yXn-lVdqGgC&pg=PA384|url-status=live}}</ref>

In [[Tibetan Buddhism|Tibetan Buddhist]] literature, nāgas are portrayed as guardians or owners of submerged treasure, which can be mere wealth or supernatural, "spiritual" treasures.<ref name=":0" />

== Other traditions ==
In [[Thailand]] and [[Java (island)|Java]], the nāga is a wealthy [[underworld]] deity. For [[Malaysia|Malay]] sailors, nāgas are a type of dragon with many heads. In [[Laos]] they are beaked water serpents.{{citation needed|date=December 2017}} In [[Tibet]], they are said to be found in waterways and underground locations, and are susceptible to the suffering caused by human carelessness towards the natural environment.

=== Sri Lanka ===
[[File:Nagaraja Guardstone from Sri Lanka.JPG|thumb|A granite [[nagaraja]] guardstone from Sri Lanka.]]
The '''[[Naga people (Lanka)|Naga people]]''' were believed to be an ancient [[tribe]] and origins of [[Sri Lanka]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SkFuAAAAMAAJ|title=The evolution of an ethnic identity: the Tamils in Sri Lanka c. 300 BCE to c. 1200 CE|last=Intirapālā|first=Kārttikēcu|date=2005|publisher=M.V. Publications for the South Asian Studies Centre, Sydney|isbn=978-0-646-42546-7|pages=172–174|language=en|access-date=22 January 2022|archive-date=11 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011145849/https://books.google.com/books?id=SkFuAAAAMAAJ|url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Indrapala|2005|p=172,174}}{{refn|group=note|Kathiragesu Indrapala writes that "In the traditions preserved in the early Sri Lankan chronicles as well as in the early Tamil literary works the Nagas appear as a distinct group".{{sfn|Indrapala|2005|p=173}} He further writes that "the adoption of the Tamil language was helping the Nagas in the Tamil chiefdoms to be assimilated into the major ethnic group there".{{sfn|Indrapala|2005|p=174}}}} According to [[V. Kanakasabhai]], the Oliyar, [[Parathavar]], [[Maravar]], and Eyinar, who were widespread across [[South India]] and [[Sri Lanka|North-East Sri Lanka]], are all Naga tribes.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VuvshP5_hg8C|title=The Tamils Eighteen Hundred Years Ago|last=Kanakasabhai|first=V.|date=1904|publisher=Asian Educational Services|isbn=978-81-206-0150-5|language=en|access-date=22 January 2022|archive-date=11 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011145841/https://books.google.com/books?id=VuvshP5_hg8C|url-status=live}}</ref> There are references to them in several ancient texts such as [[Mahavamsa]], [[Manimekalai]], and also in other [[Sanskrit]] and [[Pali literature]]. They are generally represented as a class of superhumans taking the form of serpents who inhabit a subterranean world. Texts such as Manimekalai represent them as persons in human form.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Journal of the Ceylon branch of the Royal Asiatic society# The Arya Kingdom in North Ceylon|volume=VII, part II |author=Senarath Paranavitana|date=1961|page=181|publisher=Colombo apothecaries Co. Ltd|language=en|author-link=Senarath Paranavitana }}</ref>{{refn|group=note|In the Mahavamsa as indeed in the ancient Sanskrit and Pali literature in general, the nāgas are never represented as human beings, but as a class of superhuman beings, who inhabited a subterranean world.}}

=== Cambodia ===
[[File:Nāga statue front of the Angkor Temple complex.jpg|thumb|Nāga statue front of [[Angkor Wat]] in [[Siem Reap province]].]]
{{More citations needed section|date=November 2023}}[[File:NagaPhnomPenh.jpg|thumb|Cambodian seven-headed nāga at the [[Royal Palace of Cambodia|Royal Palace]] in [[Phnom Penh]].]]
Stories of nāgas ({{langx|km|នាគ}}, {{lang|km-Latn|néak}}) have been part of [[Khmer people|Khmer]] society for thousands of years, dating back to the [[Funan|Funan era]] ({{lang|km|នគរភ្នំ}}). According to reports from two Chinese envoys, [[Kang Tai]] and Zhu Ying, the state of [[Funan]] was established in the 1st century CE when an Indian prince named [[Kaundinya I]] ({{lang|km|កៅណ្ឌិន្យទី១}}) married a nāga princess named [[Queen Soma|Soma]] ({{lang|km|សោមា}}កូនព្រះចន្ទ {{lang|km-Latn|saôma}} kon preah chan; "Soma, daughter of the moon god"; Chinese: 柳葉, 柳叶 ''Liuye''; "Willow Leaf"). The couple is symbolized in the story of [[Preah Thong and Neang Neak]].
As the legend goes, Kaundinya received instruction in a dream to take a magic bow from a temple and defeat Soma, the nāga princess and daughter of the nāga king. During the ensuing battle, they fell in love and later married, establishing the royal lineage of the Funan dynasty. Kaundinya subsequently constructed the capital city of [[Vyadhapura]], and the kingdom became known as ''Kambujadeśa'' or [[Cambodia]] ({{lang|km|កម្ពុជា}}, {{lang|km-Latn|Kampuchea}}).<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Chad|first1=Raymond|title=Regional Geographic Influence on Two Khmer Polities|journal=Salve Regina University, Faculty and Staff: Articles and Papers|date=1 April 2005|page=137|url=http://digitalcommons.salve.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1015&context=fac_staff_pub|access-date=1 November 2015|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304070652/http://digitalcommons.salve.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1015&context=fac_staff_pub|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>The Asia-Pacific World [http://www.cambridge.edu.au/education/resource/pageproofs_7_684119.pdf]{{dead link|date=March 2018|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}. Retrieved March 5, 2013.</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Sanyal|first=Sanjeev|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oNekDAAAQBAJ&q=the+ocean+of+churn&pg=PP1|title=The Ocean of Churn: How the Indian Ocean Shaped Human History|pages=82–84|date=2016-08-10|publisher=Penguin UK|isbn=978-93-86057-61-7|language=en|access-date=11 May 2021|archive-date=11 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011145849/https://books.google.com/books?id=oNekDAAAQBAJ&q=the+ocean+of+churn&pg=PP1|url-status=live}}</ref>
The love story between Kaundinya and Soma is the foundation for many standard practices in modern-day Khmer culture, including wedding ceremonies and other rituals.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://isaw.nyu.edu/publications/inscriptions/campa/inscriptions/C0087.html|title=C. 87 Stela from Mỹ Sơn B6|website=isaw.nyu.edu|access-date=20 November 2020|archive-date=12 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512165240/https://isaw.nyu.edu/publications/inscriptions/campa/inscriptions/C0087.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.angkorphotographytours.com/blog/cambodia-religion/|title=Monk traditional ceremony Cambodia|date=15 July 2017|access-date=20 November 2020|archive-date=11 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011145916/https://www.angkorphotographytours.com/blog/cambodia-religion/|url-status=live}}</ref>
The Khmer people regard themselves as descendants of the nāgas and many still believe the nāga exist today, destined to one day return and restore prosperity to their people.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}

Although wars, nature, and the passage of time destroyed many temples from the Funan era, nāgas can still be seen in ancient temples dating to the [[Chenla]] and [[Angkor]] eras. For instance, the temple now called "The Coiled Nāgas Temple" ({{lang|km|ប្រាសាទនាគព័ន្ធ}}, {{lang|km-Latn|Prasat [[Neak Poan]]}}) was previously named, "Emperor's Wealth Temple"  ({{lang|km|ប្រាសាទរាជ្យស្រី}} {{lang|km-Latn|Prasat Reach Srey}}).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.renown-travel.com/cambodia/angkor/neak-pean.html|title=Neak Pean temple Angkor - "The entwined snakes"|website=www.renown-travel.com|access-date=20 November 2020|archive-date=24 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024232753/https://www.renown-travel.com/cambodia/angkor/neak-pean.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In Khmer culture, nāgas symbolize rain, and represent a bridge between the mortal realm ({{lang|km|ឋានមនុស្ស}}) and the realm of [[Deva (Hinduism)|devas]] (Heaven; {{lang|km|ឋានទេវតា}}/{{lang|km|ឋានសួគ៌}}). They have the ability to transform into half or fully human and act as protectors against invisible forces, deities, or malicious intentions. Furthermore, [[Cambodia]]n nāgas possess numerological symbolism based on the number of their heads. Odd-headed nāgas embody masculinity, infinity, timelessness, and immortality, since all odd numbers derives from the number one (១). Even-headed nāgas denote femininity, physicality, mortality, temporality, and the [[Earth]]. Odd headed nāgas are believed to represent immortality and are carved and used throughout Cambodia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cambodiasite.nl/nagaeng.htm|title=Nagas|website=www.cambodiasite.nl|access-date=20 November 2020|archive-date=11 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111220148/https://www.cambodiasite.nl/nagaeng.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Rosen 2009">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mI0vKhZXJqwC&q=naga+in+angkor+wat+cambodia&pg=PA94|title=The Mythical Creatures Bible: The Definitive Guide to Legendary Beings|last=Rosen|first=Brenda|date=2009|publisher=Sterling Publishing Company, Inc.|isbn=978-1-4027-6536-0|language=en|access-date=7 November 2020|archive-date=11 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011145842/https://books.google.com/books?id=mI0vKhZXJqwC&q=naga+in+angkor+wat+cambodia&pg=PA94|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Odd-headed nāga===
{{unsourced section|date=September 2024}}
;1-headed nāga: Mostly seen in modern days, carved on objects for protection in temples, monasteries, king's places and residences of deity (អទីទេព). They symbolize that even if everything in this world is gone, there's still this nāga left bringing victory and happiness to all.
;3-headed, Kalyak: Born between the mortal and divine realms, they live at the bottom of the ocean as guardians of wealth, often depicted as evil (nothing to do with the symbolism). They symbolize the Hindu [[Trimurti]]; (left [[Vishnu]], middle [[Shiva]], right [[Brahma]]) and the three realms - heaven (devas' realm), earth (mortal realm), and hell (norok realm). In Buddhism, the central head represents [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]], the right [[Dharma]] and the left the monks.
;5-headed Anontak/Sesak: Born from the earthly elements, they are immortals. They symbolize the 5 directions; East, West, North, South and Middle ([[Ganges|Ganga]] river, [[Indus]] river, [[Yamuna]] river, [[Brahmaputra]] river (Brahma's Son River), [[Sarasvati]] river). In Buddhism, the 5 heads represent the 5 Buddhas - Kadabak, Kunsontho, Koneakumno, Samnak Koudom [[Gautama Buddha]], and Seare Metrey.
;7-headed Muchlentak: Originated from the [[Himalayas]], they bring peace and prosperity to humans. They control the seven oceans and seven mountains called 'Seytontaraksatakboriphorn.' Sheltered [[Gautama Buddha]] for 7 days and 7 nights ([[Mucalinda]]). Often depicted as guardian statues, carved as balustrades on causeways leading to main temples, such as those found in [[Angkor Wat]].<ref name="Rosen 2009"/> They also represent the seven races within nāga society, which has a mythological, or symbolic, association with "the seven colors of the rainbow." They symbolize the Sun, the Moon and five other planets; ចន្ទ (Moon)[also Monday] អង្គារ (Mars)[Tuesday] ពុធ (Mercury)[Wednesday] ព្រហស្បតិ៍ (Jupiter)[Thursday] សុក្រ (Venus)[Friday] សៅរ៍ (Saturn)[Saturday] អាទិត្យ (Sun)[Sunday].

;9-headed Vasukak: The king who rules the Earth ([[Vasuki]]). When carved on both sides, the front heads represent reincarnation and behind represent death. He symbolizes the power of the nine immortals of the universe - power of the lightning and thunder of the East (ទិសបូព៌ា), power of the fire of the Southeast (ទិសអាគ្នេយ៍), power of the law and order of the South (ទិសខាងត្បូង), power of the spirits and demonic creatures of the Southwest (ទិសនារតី), power of the rain of the West (ទិសខាងលិច), power of the wind of the Northwest (ទិសពាយព្យ), power of the wealth and aesthetic of the North (ទិសឧត្តរ), power of destruction of the Northeast (ទិសឥសាន្ត), power of [[Brahma]] (creation and preservation) in the middle (កណ្តាល).

In Indian origin religions, there are four different nāga races:
#Primitive Dragons such as the European dragon who can spit fire.
#The Spiritual Dragons who are the guardians of wealth, protecting treasure in the ocean. They can take on a half human form.
#The Divine Nāgas, who can travel to heaven, came from [[Lord Indra]]'s realm (the divine realm). They can take on a full human form.
#The Supreme and Divine Nāgas, like [[Vasuki]] the follower of [[Lord Shiva]], who alone can fight the entire [[Garuda|Garuḍa]] race.

All of them have great powers and can set off storms, rain, tempest and create lands from the sea.

=== Indonesia ===
[[File:Yogyakarta Indonesia Kraton-the-Sultans-Palace-03.jpg|thumb|Crowned golden nāga-woodcarving at [[Kraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat|Keraton Yogyakarta]], [[Java]].]]
In [[Javanese culture|Javanese]], [[Sundanese people|Sundanese]], and [[Bali#Culture|Balinese culture]], [[Indonesia]], a nāga is depicted as a crowned, giant, magical serpent, sometimes winged. It is similarly derived from the [[Shiva]]-Hinduism tradition, merged with Javanese [[animism]]. The nāga in Indonesia mainly derived and influenced by Indic tradition, combined with the native animism tradition of sacred serpents. In Sanskrit, the term ''nāga'' literally means snake, but in Java it normally refer to serpent deity, associated with water and fertility. In [[Borobudur]], the nāgas are depicted in their human form, but elsewhere they are depicted in animal shape.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jwzQAgAAQBAJ&q=naga+java&pg=PA57|title=Borobudur: Golden Tales of the Buddhas|author1-link=John N. Miksic|last=Miksic|first=John|date=2012-11-13|publisher=Tuttle Publishing|isbn=978-1-4629-0910-0|language=en|access-date=7 November 2020|archive-date=11 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011145934/https://books.google.com/books?id=jwzQAgAAQBAJ&q=naga+java&pg=PA57|url-status=live}}</ref>

Early depictions of circa-9th-century Central Java closely resembled Indic nāga which was based on imagery of [[cobra]]s. During this period, nāga-serpents were depicted as giant cobras supporting the waterspout of [[yoni]]-[[lingam]]. The examples of nāga-sculpture can be found in several Javanese [[Candi of Indonesia|candis]], including [[Prambanan]], [[Sambisari]], [[Ijo temple|Ijo]], and [[Jawi temple|Jawi]]. In East Java, the [[Penataran]] temple complex contain a ''Candi Nāga'', an unusual nāga-temple with its Hindu-Javanese [[caryatids]] holding corpulent nāgas aloft.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sfa2FiIERLYC&q=candi+naga+panataran&pg=PA179|title=Worshiping Siva and Buddha: The Temple Art of East Java|last1=Kinney|first1=Ann R.|last2=Klokke|first2=Marijke J.|last3=Kieven|first3=Lydia|date=2003|publisher=University of Hawaii Press|isbn=978-0-8248-2779-3|language=en|access-date=7 November 2020|archive-date=11 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011145914/https://books.google.com/books?id=sfa2FiIERLYC&q=candi+naga+panataran&pg=PA179|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Pura Parahyangan Agung Jagatkarta 1.jpg|thumb|Crowned nāga flanked the stairs entrance of [[Pura Parahyangan Agung Jagatkarta|Pura Jagatkarta]].]]
The later depiction since the 15th century, however, was slightly influenced by Chinese dragon imagery—although unlike its Chinese counterparts, Javanese and Balinese nāgas do not have legs. Nāga as the lesser deity of earth and water is prevalent in the [[Majapahit|Hindu period]] of Indonesia, before the introduction of Islam.

In [[Bali]]nese tradition, nāgas are often depicted battling [[Garuda|garuḍa]]s. Intricately carved nāgas are found as stairs railings in bridges or stairs, such as those found in [[Balinese temple]]s, [[Ubud]] monkey forest, and [[Taman Sari (Yogyakarta)|Taman Sari]] in Yogyakarta.

In a [[wayang]] theater story, a snake-like god (nāga) named Sanghyang Anantaboga or [[Antaboga]] is a guardian deity in the bowels of the earth.<ref>{{cite thesis |last1=Rodemeier |first1=Susanne |title=Lego-lego-Platz und Naga-Darstellung . Jenseitige Kräfte im Zentrum einer Quellenstudie über die ostindonesische Insel Alor |trans-title=Lego-lego Place and Naga-Image; Ideas of Supernatural Power as far as Known from Publications Concerning the Eastern Indonesia Island Alor |language=de |date=1993 |url=https://opus4.kobv.de/opus4-uni-passau/frontdoor/index/index/docId/72 |access-date=23 August 2020 |archive-date=28 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628091835/https://opus4.kobv.de/opus4-uni-passau/frontdoor/index/index/docId/72 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>Heinrich Zimmer: ''Indische Mythen und Symbole''. Diederichs, Düsseldorf 1981, {{ISBN|3-424-00693-9}}</ref> nāgas symbolize the nether realm of earth or underworld.

=== Laos ===
[[File:Giant Oarfish.jpg|thumb|Photograph, widely circulated in Laos, purporting to show American sailors in the [[Vietnam War]], who caught a "Mekong Dragon" in Laos. In reality, the image shows a [[Russell's oarfish]] (''Regalecus russelii'') caught near San Diego, California in 1996.]]
The Nāga ({{langx|lo|ພະຍານາກ}}) is believed to live in the [[Laos|Laotian]] stretch of the [[Mekong]] or its estuaries. Lao mythology maintains that the nāgas are the protectors of [[Vientiane]], and by extension, the Lao state. The association with nāgas was most clearly articulated during and immediately after the reign of [[Anouvong]]. An important poem from this period ''San Leupphasun'' ({{langx|lo|ສານລຶພສູນ}}) discusses relations between Laos and Thailand in a veiled manner, using the Nāga and the [[Garuda|Garuḍa]] to represent the Lao and the Thai, respectively.<ref>{{cite book |last= Ngaosīvat |first= Mayurī |author2= Pheuiphanh Ngaosyvathn |title= Paths to conflagration: fifty years of diplomacy and warfare in Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam, 1778-1828 |url= https://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/?GCOI=80140100616420 |series= Studies on Southeast Asia |volume= 24 |year= 1998 |publisher= Southeast Asia Program Publications, Cornell University |location= Ithaca, N.Y. |isbn= 0-87727-723-0 |oclc= 38909607 |page= 80 |access-date= 16 November 2011 |archive-date= 27 May 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120527111154/http://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/?GCOI=80140100616420 |url-status= live }}</ref> The Nāga is incorporated extensively into Lao iconography, and features prominently in Lao culture throughout the length of the country, not only in Vientiane.

===Thailand===
'''Phaya Nak''' or '''Phaya Nāga''' ({{langx|th|พญานาค}}; {{rtgs|''phaya nak''}}; {{lit|lord of Nāga}}, ''phaya'' derived from [[Mon people|Mon]] which mean ''high nobility'') or Nakkharat ({{langx|th|นาคราช}}; {{lit|king of Nāga}}) in Thai beliefs, nāgas are considered the patrons <!--i changed "patronage" to "patrons" because i THINK it was wrong but please revert if that's an acceptable usage of "patronage"--> of water. Nāgas are believed to live in either water bodies or in caves. According to a popular legend, the [[Mekong|Mekong River]] in [[Isan|north-eastern Thailand]] and [[Laos]] was said to be created by two [[Nagaraja|Nāga kings]] slithering through the area, thus creating the Mekong and the nearby [[Nan River]]. The Mekong is synonymous with the [[Naga fireball|unexplained fireballs phenomenon]] which has long been believed to be created by the nāgas that dwell in the river.<ref>{{cite web | title = ตำนานกำเนิด โขง-ชี-มูล-หนองหาน สายน้ำแห่งชีวิตของคนอีสาน | url = https://www.silpa-mag.com/history/article_39705 | author = สุจิตต์ วงษ์เทศ | date = 2 October 2019 | publisher = ศิลปวัฒนธรรม | language = th | access-date = 21 May 2020 | archive-date = 9 June 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200609073949/https://www.silpa-mag.com/history/article_39705 | url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="ปริ">{{cite web|title=ปริศนา?? บั้งไฟพญานาค: ต่างมุมต่างความคิด|url=http://www.manager.co.th/Travel/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9480000132441|language=th|date=2005-09-27|work=[[ASTV Manager]]|access-date=2016-10-02|archive-date=9 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009084346/http://www.manager.co.th/Travel/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9480000132441|url-status=live}}</ref> Common explanations of their sightings have been attributed to [[oarfish]], elongated fish with red crests; however, these are exclusively marine and usually live at great depths.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Roberts |first=Tyson R. |date=Winter 2002 |title=Payanak as a mythical animal and as the living ''species Regalecus glesne'' (oarfish, Regalecidae, Lapmridiformes). |journal=Natural History Bulletin of the [[Siam Society]] |volume=50 |issue=2 |page=211 |issn=0080-9462 |url=https://thesiamsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/NHBSS_050_2j_Roberts_PayanakAsAMythica.pdf }}</ref> 

In November 2022, the Thai government declared the nāga as the [[national symbol of Thailand]], with the aim of promoting Thai culture and traditions and increasing the country's cultural capital to drive the creative economy. The nāga is a mythical creature with long-standing beliefs and connections to the Thai people, and its designation as a national symbol is a significant step towards preserving and promoting Thai culture. The National Culture Commission and the [[Fine Arts Department]] developed a prototype image of the nāga that accurately represents Thai beliefs and traditions related to the creature. The prototype image features the four families of nāgas, each with its unique color, and the largest nāga, Nak Vasuki ({{langx|th|นาควาสุกรี}}), who is related to Buddhism and the Thai monarchy, The nāga is also believed to be a symbol of water and fertility and serves as a guardian of Buddhism.<ref>{{citation|title=รัฐบาลกำหนด 'นาค' เป็นเอกลักษณ์ประจำชาติไทย ต่อยอดซอฟต์พาวเวอร์|url=https://thethaiger.com/th/news/697894/|trans-title=The government has designated 'Nak' as the national symbol of Thailand, expanding on soft power|date=November 2, 2022|publisher=Thethaiger}}</ref><ref>{{citation|title=รัฐบาลกำหนดให้ "นาค" เป็นเอกลักษณ์ประจำชาติไทย ประเภทสัตว์ในตำนาน ต่อยอด Soft Power ขับเคลื่อนเศรษฐกิจสร้างสรรค์|trans-title=The government has designated "Nak" as the national symbol of Thailand. It is a legendary creature type, which expands on soft power to drive the creative economy.|url=https://www.thaigov.go.th/news/contents/details/61119|language=th|publisher=Thaigov|date=November 1, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{citation|title=Naga named as national symbol|newspaper=Bangkok Post |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2427635/naga-named-as-national-symbol|publisher=Bangkokpost|date=November 2, 2022}}</ref>

Due to the strong relation with everything water, the Nāga in Thai belief also plays a role in rain control. The concept of ''Nak hai nam'' ({{langx|th|นาคให้น้ำ}}; lit. Nāga granting water) is used for annual rainfall prediction. It is still practiced nowadays, most notably during the [[Royal Ploughing Ceremony]]. The oracle ranges from ''1 nak hai nam'' (1 Nāga granted water); meaning that abundant rainfall should be observed that year, to maximum ''7 nak hai nam'' (7 nagas granted water); meaning there might not be adequate rainfall that year.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.thairath.co.th/content/199928| author = กิเลน ประลองเชิง| date = 8 September 2011| publisher = ไทยรัฐ| title = นาคให้น้ำ| access-date = 21 May 2020| archive-date = 9 June 2020| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200609014442/https://www.thairath.co.th/content/199928| url-status = live}}</ref>

In northern Thailand, the [[Singhanavati]] Kingdom had a strong connection with nāgas. The kingdom was believed to be built with aids of nāgas, and thus, nāgas were highly revered by the royal family. The kingdom, for a period of time, was renamed ''Yonok Nāga Rāj'' (lit. [[Yonok]] the [[nagaraja]])<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.silpa-mag.com/history/article_2888 | author = มานิต วัลลิโภดม | date = 25 October 2018 | publisher = ศิลปวัฒนธรiม | title = สำรวจความเชื่อ "นาคสร้างเมืองมนุษย์" ที่ภายหลังคือเมือง "เชียงแสน" | language = th | access-date = 21 May 2020 | archive-date = 9 June 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200609215225/https://www.silpa-mag.com/history/article_2888 | url-status = live }}</ref>

The nāgas are also highly revered. The [[Buddhist temple]]s and palaces are often adorned with various nāgas. The term ''Nāga'' is also present in various [[Thai architecture]] terms including the ''nak sadung'' (นาคสะดุ้ง, the outer roof finial component featuring Nāga-like structure), and the ''nak than'' (นาคทันต์, the [[corbel]] with Nāga-shape).<ref>{{Cite web|last=Miles|date=2020-06-28|title=Naka Cave, Thailand: The Truth Behind the Legends of Snake Rock|url=https://www.journeyingtheglobe.com/legends-of-naka-cave-thailand|access-date=2021-04-10|website=Journeying The Globe|language=en-GB|archive-date=10 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410061214/https://www.journeyingtheglobe.com/legends-of-naka-cave-thailand|url-status=live}}</ref> Moreover, nāgas are sometimes linked to medicine. The nāga [[Vasuki]] is present in the legend of the [[Samudra manthan|Samudra Manthana]], in which [[Dhanvantari]] (god of [[Ayurveda]]) and [[amrita]] (the elixir of eternal life) were churned from the [[Kshira Sagara|Ocean of Milk]]. The nāgas can also be founded substituting the [[snake]]s in either [[Rod of Asclepius]] or mistakenly [[Caduceus]] of several medical institutions' symbols. The former seal of [[Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University]], and the seal of Society of Medical Student Thailand are some notable examples using the Caduceus with nagas' presence instead of snakes.<ref>{{hlist|For the former logo of Faculty of Medicine, Srinakharinwirot University, see: [[:File:Logo of Med SWU.gif]]. The fact was mentioned in the official pamphlet (2019, in Thai), and in the official introductory video (2015, in Thai)|for the seal of the Society of Medical Students of Thailand, see: {{URL|https://thesmst.com/}}}}</ref>

==== Folklore ====
[[Thai folklore]] holds the Phaya nāgas to be demi-god creatures, which possess supernatural powers as has been described in [[Buddhist cosmology|Buddhist]] and [[Hindu cosmology]].<ref name="พญา"/> The  "[[List of reportedly haunted locations in Thailand#North-Eastern (Isan region)|Kamchanod Forest]]" (ป่าคำชะโนด;  {{rtgs|Pa Khamchanot}}) [[Ban Dung district]], [[Udon Thani province]], which is held in high reverence and fear across Thailand, is believed to be the [[crossroads (folklore)|crossroads]] between the human world and the netherworld, and is frequently depicted in Thai folklore as the site of many hauntings, but more frequently is considered to be the home of the nāga.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dmc.tv/pages/scoop/%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%B3%E0%B8%8A%E0%B8%B0%E0%B9%82%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%94%20.html|title=คำชะโนด เกาะลอยน้ำ เผยตำนานป่าลี้ลับป่าคำชะโนด|date=2014-10-08|access-date=2016-10-03|work=dmc|language=th|archive-date=28 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928234231/https://www.dmc.tv/pages/scoop/%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%B3%E0%B8%8A%E0%B8%B0%E0%B9%82%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%94%20.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

According to [[Shan people|Shan]] folklore of [[Nanzhao|Nánzhào Kingdom]] (now southern China and Southeast Asia during the 8th and 9th centuries, which was centered on present-day [[Yunnan|Yúnnán]] in China), the nāga inhabited the [[Erhai Lake|Ěrhǎi lake]] and is the creator of the [[Mekong]].<ref name="พญา">{{cite web|url=http://www.thairath.co.th/content/426403#cxrecs_s|title=ปาฏิหาริย์...พญานาคราช มีปรากฏการณ์..เหนือธรรมชาติ|access-date=2016-10-08|date=2014-06-01|work=[[Thairath]]|language=th|author=ก้อง กังฟู|archive-date=13 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513102606/https://www.thairath.co.th/content/426403#cxrecs_s|url-status=live}}</ref> In [[China]], the nāga ([[Chinese language|Chinese]]: '''那伽''') is generally more considered to be a dragon.

==== Appearance ====
Many people, particularly in [[Isan]] (the north-eastern region of Thailand), believe that the nāgas are responsible for unnatural wave phenomena occurring in the rivers or lakes in the vicinity. It is also frequently claimed that the serpent-like demigods are responsible for marks on common objects, such as [[hood (car)|car hoods]] or house walls.<ref name="ปริ"/>

A police officer has also claimed to be in contact with the nāga, although the implications of this contact is not thoroughly explained.<ref>{{cite web|title=พญานาคบึงโขงหลงที่เป็นข่าว.mp4|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5lrjm5coq0| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211107/d5lrjm5coq0| archive-date=2021-11-07 | url-status=live|language=th|date=2011-07-18|work=Nation TV|access-date=2016-10-02}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

In attempts to explain these phenomena, scientists and researchers at the Faculty of Science of Chulalongkorn University have attributed these seemingly preternatural phenomena to [[standing wave]]s in water, and posit that the existence of the Phaya Nāga is similar to belief in [[Loch Ness Monster]] in Scotland or [[Ogopogo]] in Canada, and further maintain that the serpent-like tracks of the Phaya Nāga are very possibly forged by humans.<ref>{{cite web|title=พญานาค..วิทยาศาสตร์ กับ ความเชื่อ|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRswjdebHp4| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903144846/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRswjdebHp4&gl=US&hl=en&amp;has_verified=1| archive-date=2011-09-03 |work=Nation TV|date=2011-08-31|access-date=2016-10-02|language=th}}</ref>

<gallery mode="packed" widths="300">
File:NAGA Sculpture - panoramio.jpg|Head of Nāga sculpture in [[Songkhla Province]].
File:Phaya Naga, Mekong's Embankment - panoramio.jpg|A sign featuring Nāgas by the [[Mekong|Mekong River]], [[Nong Khai Province]], Thailand: Nāgas and the Mekong are strongly associated in local beliefs.
File:The English governess at the Siamese court - being recollections of six years in the royal palace at Bangkok (1873) (14589535639).jpg|Illustration of [[Royal Barge Anantanakkharat]], 1873.
File:Royal Barges National Museum - 2014-02-25 - 006.jpg|[[Royal Barge Anantanakkharat]] at [[National Museum of Royal Barges]], [[Bangkok]].
File:Vishnu Kurmavatara and the churning of the milk ocean (3260164288).jpg|Nāga sculpture at [[Suvarnabhumi airport]].
File:IMG 8664 Himmapan Animal Photographed by Trisorn Triboon 02.jpg|Nāga, [[Himavanta|Himmapan]] animal on Royal Crematorium [[King Rama IX]].
File:Emerald Buddha Temple - 2017-06-11 (083).jpg|[[Garuda#Thailand|Garuḍa]] devouring Nāga, at [[Wat Phra Kaew]].
</gallery>

=== Malaysia ===
{{further|Lake Chini}}
In Malay and Orang Asli traditions, the lake Chini, located in [[Pahang]] is home to a nāga called Sri Gumum. Depending on legend versions, her predecessor Sri Pahang or her son left the lake and later fought a nāga called Sri Kemboja. Kemboja is the Malay name for Cambodia. Like the nāga-legends there, there are stories about an ancient empire in lake Chini, although the stories are not linked to the nāga-legends.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nici.ru.nl/~peterh/srigumum/doc/stories.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071024202720/http://www.nici.ru.nl/~peterh/srigumum/doc/stories.html|title=Legends|archive-date=24 October 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.journeymalaysia.com/ML_chini.htm|title=Journey Malaysia » Tasik Chini|work=journeymalaysia.com|access-date=10 May 2007|archive-date=19 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619082739/http://journeymalaysia.com/ML_chini.htm}}</ref>

=== Philippines ===
{{Main|Bakunawa}}
[[File:Visayan tenegre horn hilt closeup.JPG|thumb|[[Bakunawa]] hilt from a Visayan (Panay) ''tenegre'' sword.]]
The indigenous [[Bakunawa]], a serpent-like moon-eating creature in [[Philippine mythology]], was [[syncretism|syncretized]] with the nāga. It is believed to be the cause of [[eclipses]], [[earthquake]]s, rains, and wind.<ref>{{cite news |id={{ProQuest|1644507809}} |last1=Valiente |first1=Tito Genova |title=A serpent, this earth and the end of the year |url=https://businessmirror.com.ph/2015/01/01/a-serpent-this-earth-and-the-end-of-the-year/ |work=BusinessMirror |date=1 January 2015 |access-date=23 August 2020 |archive-date=11 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011145850/https://businessmirror.com.ph/2015/01/01/a-serpent-this-earth-and-the-end-of-the-year/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The movements of the ''bakunawa'' served as a [[Geomancy|geomantic]] [[calendar]] system for ancient Filipinos and were part of the [[shamanistic]] rituals of the ''[[babaylan]]''. It is usually depicted with a characteristically looped tail and was variously believed to inhabit either the sea, the sky, or the [[underworld]].<ref name="mccoy">{{cite journal |last1=McCoy |first1=Alfred W. |title=Baylan: animist religion and Philippine peasant ideology |journal=Philippine Quarterly of Culture and Society |date=1982 |volume=10 |issue=3 |pages=141–194 |jstor=29791761 }}</ref>
However, the bakunawa may have also syncretized with the Hindu deities, [[Rahu]] and [[Ketu (mythology)|Ketu]], the [[navagraha]] of [[Grahana|eclipses]].<ref>{{cite web |title=BAKUNAWA: The Moon Eating Dragon of Philippine Mythology |url=https://www.aswangproject.com/bakunawa/ |website=The Aswang Project |date=27 May 2016 |access-date=3 December 2019 |archive-date=13 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191013214758/https://www.aswangproject.com/bakunawa/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Examples ==
* [[Shesha]], on whom [[Vishnu]] is in [[yoga nidra]] (Anantashayana)<ref>''Bhāgavata Purāṇa'' 10.1.24</ref>
* [[Antaboga]], the world serpent in Javanese and Balinese mythology of Indonesia, who created the [[World Turtle]] Bedawang, on whose back the world resides
* [[Apalala]], Nāga in Buddhist mythology
* [[Bakunawa]], a dragon in Philippine mythology that is often represented as a gigantic sea serpent. Nāgas are also present in [[Kapampangan people|Kapampangan]] polytheistic beliefs, such as Lakandanum. (See [[Deities of Philippine mythology]].)
* [[Kaliya]], a snake conquered by [[Krishna]]
* [[Karkotaka]], a nāga king in Indian mythology who controls weather, that lived in a forest near [[Nishadha Kingdom]] and stung [[Nala]] at the request of Indra
* [[List of legendary creatures in Hindu mythology#Nāga|Paravataksha]], his sword causes earthquakes and his roar caused thunder.
* [[Manasa]], the Hindu goddess of nāgas and curer of snake-bite and sister of [[Vasuki (snake)|Vasuki]]
* [[Mucalinda]], a nāga in Buddhism who protected the Gautama Buddha from the elements after his enlightenment
* [[Naga Seri Gumum]], who lives in [[Tasik Chini]], a freshwater lake in [[Pahang, Malaysia]]
* [[Padmavati (Jainism)|Padmavati]], the Nāgī queen & companion of [[Dharanendra]]
* [[Shwe Nabay]] (''Naga Medaw''), a goddess or a [[Nat (spirit)|Nat]] spirit in [[Burmese culture|Burmese animistic]] mythology, who is believed to have married a nāga and died from heartbreak after he left her
* [[Takshaka]], the [[Nagaraja|king of the nāgas]], and ruler of [[Khandava Forest|Khandava forest]]
* [[Ulupi]], a wife of [[Arjuna]] in the [[Indian epic poetry|epic]] ''[[Mahabharata]]''
* [[Vasuki (snake)|Vasuki]], the king of nāgas and who coils over [[Shiva]]'s neck<ref>''Bhāgavata Purāṇa'' 3.26.25</ref> and offered to serve as the rope to pull [[Mount Mandara]] in the [[Samudra manthan|Samudra Manthana]] (Churning of the Ocean of Milk) to release the [[amrita]] (nectar of the immortality).
* Yulong, the [[Dragon King of the West Sea]] in the Chinese classical novel ''[[Journey to the West]]'', becomes a nāga after completing his journey with [[Xuanzang]]

== In popular culture ==
{{In popular culture|date=September 2024}}

=== Film and television ===
* A 4-headed Naga symbol and characters were part of the Leviathan story arc in the 1969 season of the gothic television soap opera [[Dark Shadows]].
* Several [[Bollywood]] films have been made about female nāgas, including [[Nagin (1954 film)|''Nagin'' (1954)]], [[Nagin (1976 film)|''Nagin'' (1976)]], [[Nagina (1986 film)|''Nagina'' (1986)]], [[Nigahen: Nagina Part II|''Nigahen'' (1989)]], [[Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani|''Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani'' (2002)]], and [[Hisss|''Hisss'' (2010)]]. Nāga also appear in television series such as [[Naaginn (2007 TV series)|''Naaginn'']] (2007-2009), [[Naagin (2015 TV series)|''Naagin'']] (2015) and [[Adhuri Kahaani Hamari]] (2015-2016).
* In the 1998 film ''[[Jungle Boy (1998 film)|Jungle Boy]]'', the Naga is depicted as a large [[cobra]] deity that grants the gift of understanding all languages to those who are pure of heart and punishes those who are not pure of heart in different ways.
* In the 1999 Telugu film [[Devi (1999 film)|''Devi'']], a Nagini played by [[Prema (actress, born 1977)|Prema]] comes to Earth to protect a woman who saves her when she was in the snake form. She eventually falls in love with a human.
* The Nagas are antagonists in the cartoon ''[[The Secret Saturdays]]''. They served the ancient Sumerian [[List of cryptids|cryptid]] Kur and attempted to push Zak Saturday into the dark side after learning that he was Kur reincarnated, but eventually served V. V. Argost when he gained his own Kur powers.
* Many [[lakorn]] (Thai television soap operas) are based on a Phaya Naga legend, such as ''[[Poot Mae Nam Khong]]'' (ภูติแม่น้ำโขง) in 2008,<ref>{{cite web|title=ละคร ภูตแม่น้ำโขง|url=http://movie.sanook.com/21792/|date=2008-10-13|work=Sanook|language=th|access-date=31 July 2021|archive-date=17 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171217213718/http://movie.sanook.com/21792/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Manisawat'' (มณีสวาท) in 2013,<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dtdTHjA1lg| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211107/4dtdTHjA1lg| archive-date=2021-11-07 | url-status=live|script-title=th:สีสันบันเทิง 17-12-11#ฟิตติ้ง มณีสวาท|date=17 December 2011 |via=YouTube |language= th |publisher=ammy wareerat}}{{cbignore}}</ref> or ''Nakee'' (นาคี) in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://lovefia.com/2016/11/01/nakee-the-serpent-queen/|title=Nakee – The Serpent Queen|date=1 November 2016|work=lovefia|access-date=31 July 2021|archive-date=11 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011145903/https://lovefia.com/2016/11/01/nakee-the-serpent-queen/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* A search for the Phaya Naga was featured in a ''[[Destination Truth]]'' episode on the [[SyFy]] (formerly Sci-Fi Channel) series in Series 01 (episode 02).<ref>{{IMDb title|qid=Q114508359|title="Destination Truth" Haunted Village/Naga (TV Episode 2007)}}</ref>
* The dragons in the 2021 film ''[[Raya and the Last Dragon]]'' are based on the Phaya Naga.
* A serpent god named Nāga is featured in the 2021 animated film ''[[Batman: Soul of the Dragon]]''.
* They are featured Pakistani movies like ''Naag aur Nagin'' (2005)

=== Literature ===
*Nāga are featured in ''[[The Silent Bells]]'', the fourth book in [[N. D. Wilson]]'s ''[[Ashtown Burials]]'' series.
*The Japanese anime and manga series, ''[[Slayers]]'' (1989), has a principal character named [[Naga the Serpent]] (introduced in 1990).
*In [[J. K. Rowling]]'s [[Wizarding World]], [[Nagini (Harry Potter)|Nagini]] is one of [[Lord Voldemort|Voldemort]]'s [[horcruxes]] in the ''[[Harry Potter]]'' series and a Maledictus, a carrier of blood curse, in the 2018 film ''[[Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald|Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindlewald]]''. Her curse allows her to change into a snake and back into a human, but her snake form eventually becomes permanent.
*In the [[Xanth|Xanth series]] by [[Piers Anthony]], the Naga are a race of human-headed serpents that can transform between fully human and serpent forms, including any species and size of snake.
*In [[The God in the Bowl]], one of the original [[Conan the Barbarian]] stories by [[Robert E. Howard]], the titular God is possibly a Nāga-like creature.

=== Games ===
* “Naga” is name of a T1 battle cruiser in ''[[EVE Online]] ''. Shown as a long, thin hull, and used for long range attacks.
* Nagas appear in the ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'' [[roleplaying game]], depicted as massive serpents with human heads.
* The Nagas appear in the multiple franchises by [[Blizzard Entertainment]]. In ''[[Warcraft]]'', they are depicted as ancient night elves that have snake-like tails in place of legs, and have other serpentine or aquatic features such as scales and fins. The Nagas came to be when they were transformed from the ancient night elves by the Old Gods. Their queen Azshara is described as a demigoddess. The digital card game ''[[Hearthstone]]'' incorporated Naga as a minion type in its Battlegrounds game mode on May 10, 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pcgamer.com/the-naga-are-coming-to-hearthstone-battlegrounds-on-may-10/|title=The Naga are coming to Hearthstone Battlegrounds on May 10|access-date=10 May 2022|work=PC Gamer|date=5 May 2022 |archive-date=5 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505205225/https://www.pcgamer.com/the-naga-are-coming-to-hearthstone-battlegrounds-on-may-10/|url-status=live |last1=Chalk |first1=Andy }}</ref>
* Nagas also appear in ''[[The Battle for Wesnoth]]'', and are depicted as a more snakelike counterpart to the merfolk, who are often their enemies.
* ''[[Magic: The Gathering]]''{{'s}} 2014–2015 block, set on the plane of Tarkir, featured Naga as humanoid snakes versed in powerful venoms and poisons with two arms and no other appendages. They are aligned with the Sultai clan in the sets, ''[[Khans of Tarkir]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/planeswalkers-guide-khans-tarkir-part-1-2014-09-03|title=Planeswalker's Guide to Khans of Tarkir, Part 1|work=MAGIC: THE GATHERING|access-date=27 July 2015|archive-date=9 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150809055117/http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/planeswalkers-guide-khans-tarkir-part-1-2014-09-03|url-status=live}}</ref> and ''[[Fate Reforged]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/uncharted-realms/planeswalkers-guide-fate-reforged-2015-01-07|title=Planeswalker's Guide to Fate Reforged|work=MAGIC: THE GATHERING|access-date=27 July 2015|archive-date=20 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150720184042/http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/uncharted-realms/planeswalkers-guide-fate-reforged-2015-01-07|url-status=live}}</ref> and with the Silumgar clan in the ''[[Dragons of Tarkir]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/uncharted-realms/planeswalkers-guide-dragons-tarkir-part-1-2015-03-11|title=Planeswalker's Guide to Dragons of Tarkir, Part 1|work=MAGIC: THE GATHERING|access-date=27 July 2015|archive-date=28 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150728150212/http://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/uncharted-realms/planeswalkers-guide-dragons-tarkir-part-1-2015-03-11|url-status=live}}</ref> set.
* Nagas are units in [[Heroes of Might and Magic III]].
* ''[[Gigabash]]'' features Rawa, a bipedal Phaya Naga inspired [[kaiju]] among its playable cast of creatures.

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
Bhuvanesvar.jpg|Nāga and Nagini in [[Bhubaneswar]], [[Odisha]]
Nagas on copper pillar, Kullu, H.P..jpg|Nāga on copper pillar in [[Kullu]], Himachal Pradesh India
The Naga King Dasavatara Temple.jpg|Nāga king in Anjali mudra in Deogarh temple, Madhya Pradesh
File:Maninaga and Svastika. Kushan period, 2nd century CE, Rajgir.jpg|Maninaga and Svastika. Kushan period, 2nd century CE, [[Rajgir]], [[Bihar]]
401 CE Udayagiri Varaha Relief annotated.jpg|Nāga (marked 15) in the Varaha panel at [[Udayagiri Caves]]
Digambara Parshivanatha 24th Jain Digambara Teertankara.jpg|Tirthankara Parshvanatha of Jainism standing under Nāga hood
KITLV 28223 - Isidore van Kinsbergen - Linggam and Ioni at Yogyakarta - 1865-07-1865-09.tif|Nāga supporting waterspout of Yoni-Lingam, [[Yogyakarta]] Java, c. 9th century
098 Naga Temple from North-East (25559532977).jpg|Nāga temple, [[Penataran]], East Java
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary - panoramio (6).jpg|Nāga bridge at [[Ubud]] monkey forest, Bali
Laonaga.jpg|Nāga guarding [[Anouvong]]'s [[Wat Sisaket]] in [[Vientiane]]
2008.02.15 Kjerning på Sawasdee flyplass i Bangkok I.JPG|Sesa Nāga at Bangkok international airport, Thailand
Naga at the funeral of King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand in 2017.jpg|Nāga at the funeral of King [[Bhumibol Adulyadej]] of Thailand in 2017
</gallery>

== See also ==
{{Div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Ichchadhari naag and naagin (shape-shifting cobra)]]
* [[Lamia]]
* [[List of Nāgas]]
* [[Mahoraga]]
* [[Naga Kingdom]]
* [[Naga people (Lanka)]]
* [[Nagarjuna]]
* [[Nagvanshi]]
* [[Naga Viper pepper]]
* [[Phra Lak Phra Lam]]
* [[Rocket Festival]]
* [[Serpent (symbolism)]]
* [[Snake worship]]
* [[Vritra]]
{{Div col end}}

== Explanatory notes ==
{{Reflist|group=note}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Sources ==
{{refbegin}}
* {{Citation | last=Béer | first=Robert | year=1999 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3IvrAAAAMAAJ&q=editions:jMCICh42oEAC | title=The Encyclopedia of Tibetan Symbols and Motifs | publisher=Shambhala | isbn=978-1-57062-416-2 | access-date=7 November 2020 | archive-date=11 October 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011145843/https://books.google.com/books?id=3IvrAAAAMAAJ&q=editions:jMCICh42oEAC | url-status=live }}
* {{cite book |last1=Indrapala |first1=Karthigesu |title=The Evolution of an Ethnic Identity - The Tamils of Sri Lanka 300 B.C.E to 1200 C.E. |date=2005 |publisher=M.V. Publications for the South Asian Studies Centre, Sydney |isbn=0-646-42546-3}}
{{refend}}

== Further reading ==
{{refbegin}}
* {{Citation |last1=Müller-Ebeling|first1=Claudia|last2= Rätsch|first2=Christian|last3=Shahi|first3=Surendra Bahadur|year=2002|title=Shamanism and Tantra in the Himalayas| publisher=Inner Traditions|isbn= 978-0-89281-913-3}}
* {{Citation |last=Maehle|first=Gregor|year=2007|title=Ashtanga Yoga: Practice and Philosophy|publisher=New World Library|isbn=978-1-57731-606-0 }}
* {{Citation |last=Norbu|first=Chögyal Namkhai|year=1999|title=The Crystal and The Way of Light: Sutra, Tantra and Dzogchen|publisher=Snow Lion Publications|isbn=1-55939-135-9 }}
* {{Citation|last=Hāṇḍā|first=Omacanda|year=2004|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Xd50t19YpJEC|title=Naga cults and traditions in the western Himalaya|publisher=Indus Publishing|isbn=978-81-7387-161-0|access-date=15 September 2016|archive-date=11 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011145907/https://books.google.com/books?id=Xd50t19YpJEC|url-status=live}}
* {{Citation|last=Visser|first=Marinus Willem de|year=1913|url=https://archive.org/details/cu31924021444728|title=The dragon in China and Japan|publisher=Amsterdam:J. Müller}}
* {{Citation|last=Vogel|first=J. Ph.|year=1926|url=https://archive.org/details/indianserpentlor00voge/|title=Indian serpent-lore; or, The Nāgas in Hindu legend and art|publisher=London, A. Probsthain|isbn=978-81-206-1071-2|access-date=9 November 2023}}
{{refend}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Nāga}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100429083303/http://www.nagiana.com/ Nagiana] (a site dedicated to Nāga ancestors)
*[http://www.palikanon.com/english/pali_names/n/nagaa.htm nagas in the Pali Canon]
* [http://www.khandro.net/mysterious_naga.htm nagas]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20061016215005/http://www.btinternet.com/~andy.brouwer/be2.jpg Image of a Seven-Headed Nāga]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20170112220717/http://www.reptilianagenda.com/research/r073101a.shtml nagas and Serpents]
* [https://archive.today/20070616151359/http://angkorblog.com/_wsn/page16.html Depictions of Nagas] in the area of Angkor Wat in Cambodia
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20170723215257/http://www.talkativeman.com/nagas-naginis-serpent-figures/ nagas and Naginis: Serpent Figures in Hinduism and Buddhism]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20050211144643/http://www.mrcmekong.org/pdf/Eels.pdf Mekong River Commission paper on eels]
*[https://www.thaifolk.com/doc/literate/payanak/payanak_e.htm Dr. Kanoksilpa, a pediatrician at Nong Khai hospital, studied this phenomenon for four years and concludes the most likely explanation to be seasonal accumulations of methane gas]

{{HinduMythology}}
{{Worship in Hinduism}}
{{Buddhism topics}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Naga}}
[[Category:Nāgas| ]]
[[Category:Anthropomorphic snakes]]
[[Category:Indian dragons]]
[[Category:Buddhist deities]]
[[Category:Hindu deities]]
[[Category:Legendary creatures in Hindu mythology]]
[[Category:Hindu snake worship]]
[[Category:Mythological human–animal hybrids]]
[[Category:Legendary serpents]]
[[Category:Sea and river gods]]
[[Category:Shapeshifters]]
[[Category:Snake deities]]
[[Category:Tutelary deities]]
[[Category:Water spirits]]
[[Category:Snake gods]]
[[Category:National symbols of Thailand]]
[[Category:Chthonic beings]]