We at Enchanting Myanmar wish you a joyful New Year of 1369:according to our lunar calendar, that is. We give you a few predic-tions made by the Board of Astrologers in their annual ThingyanSar where this year they advise you on the time for washing yourhair that will bring good luck and prosperity.
Myanmar has a long and unique tradition of glazed-ware potteryand we are pleased to have an eminent scholar and collectorDr. Myo Thant Tyn write for us about the ancient potters' marks.In future issues hopefully he will con-tinue to inform us on therecent discoveries concerning our pottery traditions.
Mandalay, our last Royal Capital was built in 1859 under the direc-tion of King Mindon. In our ancient palm-leaf manuscripts, everydetail of the city and palace constructions were noted down, including the dates and exact times the first stroke of hammer was made, preset by the court astrologers. In this issue we give you a very much minimised but useful account the building of a city.
The Mingun Bell and the Maha Muni Image, two of the many treasured sites in the environs of Mandalay, remain important to the cultural heritage of the country.
U Hpone Thant our Chief Editor shares some knowledge on the underwater marine life. Myanmar has a 2832 km coastline and about 1000 islands in the Myeik Archipelago, and sea life is another option for exploration.
Among the many races, the Rakhine, a do others, enjoy their own style of celebrating the Water Festival preceding the New Year. One of their unique rituals is explained in this issue. The short story 'Hell Flower' of this issue was written by the famous author Khin Hnin Yu, and first appeared in print in 1959, one hundred years after Mandalay was built. In it she laments the influence of western culture on the young women of that time.
Wishing you good health and happiness in the coming year,
The Editorial Board
