This Story Cloth is an artistic reproduction of a traditional map of Laos, created by artisans in Ban Vinai Refugee Camp during the mid-1980s. It intricately depicts various provinces and diverse minority groups, showcasing the country’s rich cultural heritage. The cloth also features iconography related to the Lao government and military.
At the bottom center, the Thai text reads: “ประชาชนที่เฝ้าประเทศลาว,” which translates to “The people who watch over Laos.”
Stitched and embroidered by an unknown Hmong artist. Collection of the La Crosse County Historical Society, 2023.042.02.
This emblem represents the Lao government’s National Assembly, featuring two stacked ritual vessels symbolizing governance and tradition, with a Constitution book resting atop.
From 1952 to 1975, the flag of Laos displayed a three-headed elephant on a red background, symbolizing the Hindu god Erawan.
The insignia of the Royal Lao Army features the Buddhist Chakra, or “Wheel of Law,” along with a trident representing the Hindu god Vishnu.
