As in Thailand the most traditional art in Lao culture has been religious. The most impressive sculptures, unique to Laos, date from the 16th-18th centuries. A distinctive style can be seen in certain standing Buddha images. This is the "Calling for rain" posture with hands held outwards at the sides in a symmetrical fashion. An old Laotian custom at the end of the dry season has been to fire bamboo rockets into the sky in a plea for rain; this Buddha image also symbolises upward flight.
Dusty wooden Buddhas in the "Calling for rain" posture in the oldest temple
in Luang Prabang, Laos - Wat Wisunalat and gold leaf covered wooden Buddhas in the main
city temple of Wat Xieng Thong, Laos.
Pak Ou Caves - Laos
Pak Ou
Pak Ou caves in Laos contain 2,500 Buddha images made from wood and gold. Some are over
300 years old.
There are other caves in total darkness with nearly 2,000 more carvings.
Buddha Park - Laos
Buddha Park
The
Buddha Park is near Vientiane, Laos. This is a huge sculpture garden designed and built by
a priest which was started in 1958 and continues today. The concrete sculptures depict
almost all Buddhist and Hindu deities and are dominated by a colossal reclining Buddha.
Marble Buddha and gold leaf covered sculptures of monks at Wat Saen, Laos.
Broken and dusty Buddha statues in an alcove in Wat Si Saket in Vientiane. They were destroyed in the 1828 Siam - Lao War.
The former Royal Temple in Vientiane