Description
I sculpt these phallic amulets by hand with polymer clay. They are then painted with acrylic paint and metallic mica powders then sealed. This one is a metallic blue over black paint. Butterflies patterns are sculpted at the base.There is a hole in the end at the base for a chain. They are used for protection, power, and strength.
Palad Khik is a kind of Thai amulet that is shaped like a penis. The phrase “palad khik” means “honorable surrogate penis”. The Palad Khik, as a phallic representation of Shiva, is also an animistic symbol of fertility. It is not uncommon in Thailand to see a penis amulet hanging on a convenience store or a restaurant, or even being sold on the street.
Palad Khiks are usually worn by males on a cord around their waist under the clothes and off-center from the real penis. It is not unusual for a male to wear many palad khiks at the same time, in the hope to attract women, increase gambling luck and protection from dangerous objects such as bullets and knives. At times, women in Thailand also carry it in their purses to protect them from attack and mugging. Shop owners display them in their shops or in the cash register area to protect their business and also bring good luck and sales.
Originally created by the Indian people, it was imported to Thailand in the eighth century by monks and took on its current use. In fact, the earliest examples often feature praises to Shiva.
A palad khik is said to grant virtually any benefit desired, but it is mainly used to keep harm from befalling one’s actual genitals. They range in size, and some can even reach a length of a few feet.
The Romans had similar amulets which are probably the closest to the ones I create. However, the phallus is used all over the world as an amulet of protection and power.
