Shwezigon

The Shwezigon is a stupa which dates to the 11th and 12th centuries. It is considered one of Burma’s most revered shrines. This stupa represents one of four Buddha’s tooth relic shrines associated with King Anawrahta (1044-77) of Bagan, a monarch credited with the establishment of orthodox Buddhism in Bagan. The other three are Lokananda, Tuywindaung zedi, and Tangyidaung zedi. The temple complex contains several inscriptions, including an inscription by Kyanzittha (reign 1086-1113). These inscriptions can be found in the sheds located on the east side entrance to the complex. The stupa at Shwezigon is unique because it is the only one in Bagan made of stone, and not brick. The stupa sits on the top of three square terraces which contain glazed terracotta plaques depicting scenes derived from the Jataka tales. In the same complex are various shrines; a number of these are nat shrines. Nat refers to a general category of supernatural beings which include deva (gods and deities), nature spirits (river, tree, mountain spirits etc), and the Burmese pantheon of 37 nats. The 37 nats share two common characteristics: they all die “green” or unnatural deaths, and these individuals were either members of royalty or they were officials, minorities or ordinary killed by royalty. The composition of nats in the pantheon of 37 differs from one area or region to another. The most popular nat shrine contains two large round blocks of carved stone figures of a father and son named respectively Shwe Myo Zin and Shwe Sagar