Star Flower, i.e. the flower of the
Star Flower Tree (fig.),
known in Burmese as
hkray bain
and
hkya ra bain, is also the name given to
the circular ornament with horizontal radiating beams.
It
is sometimes found just underneath the
chattra or
plih, i.e. the
multi-layered royal umbrella (fig.),
atop a bell-shaped
zedi,
i.e. a
pagoda enshrining sacred
objects in
Burma.
Star Flower
(ornament on zedi)
Star Flower
(ornament on zedi)
The
shape
of the ornament is not only reminiscent of the
creamy
white flowers of the
Star Flower Tree (fig.),
they also
somewhat resemble white
water lilies
(fig.),
family of the
lotus
and a
sacred flower in
Buddhism.