Phra Mae Thorani

Phra Mae Thorani (Pali: Thoranī; Thai: พระแม่ธรณี; Burmese: Bhumīdevī; Khmer: Preah Mae Thorani) is a deity in Theravāda Buddhism, often depicted as the goddess of the earth. She is considered the mother of the Earth and is associated with the element of earth (pathavī), symbolizing stability, fertility, and nourishment. In Buddhist iconography, Phra Mae Thorani is often portrayed as a beautiful woman, sometimes with multiple arms, holding a bowl or a vase, and sometimes standing on a lotus flower. She is particularly venerated in Thailand, Myanmar, and Cambodia, where she is believed to have the power to witness and attest to the truth, often invoked during Buddhist rituals and ceremonies. In Thai, her name translates to "Mother Earth," reflecting her role as a nurturing and protective figure. The Hebrew translation for "Mother Earth" is אמא ארץ (Ema Eretz), although Phra Mae Thorani is not a figure in Jewish tradition.