Chedi Chang Lom at
Wat Chiang Man (fig.) is
the oldest construction at the oldest temple in
Chiang Mai,
constructed in 1297 AD. It consists of a square
base with a terrace of fifteen life-sized
stucco
elephants
that surround and support the
pagoda, of which the
upper part is gilded.
Initially, the animals were all white, and are thus in
fact
Chang Pheuak, i.e.
White Elephants,
which are deemed auspicious creatures in both Thai culture and
Buddhism.