Ceremonial Cheek Spears Set

• Location- Phuket, Thailand 

• Estimated Age- Newer

• These pieces feature a different color flag on each piece which is mounted on a razor-sharp steel spear, this type is traditionally pierced through the cheek(s) of a Ma Song—participants in the Phuket Vegetarian Festival (Nine Emperor Gods Festival) who enter a trance state and are believed to serve as vessels for one or more deities.

• This is a set of five cheek spears. The different colors represent the Divine Army - North, South, East, West, and one Central Military General and Soldiers. The divine army is summoned for the festival through a territory marking ceremony. 

• These pieces are about 17" long and measures about 6g (4mm) at the widest point of the spear.  These do not come with a stand.