Spirit house
A small shrine in Thai gardens and shops where offerings are made to the guardian spirit of the place.
Also: san phra phum
A spirit house, san phra phum, is a miniature temple or house set on a pillar in the garden, shop or hotel entrance in Thailand, to give a home to the guardian spirit of the land. Every day, people offer incense, garlands, fruit, water and red drink, and sometimes small figures of dancers and animals. It is placed in a spot where it receives sun in the morning and no shadow from the main building. If a house is built, one is set up first and blessed by a monk. The belief mixes Buddhist and older animist ideas and is common in Laos and Cambodia, too.
Region: Southeast Asia