MK Boxing Gym, Billerica MA, USA
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Almost every Muay Thai fighter wears it. Without the Mongkol many fighters do not enter the ring. What is going on with Mongkhon (Mongkol), and why the headband for traditional fighters is so important, you will learn here.
At times of war Thailand’s soldiers wore before battle always headbands as a talisman. This should protect the soldiers from harm and bring happiness. Since the art of Muay Thai is closely connected with the history of the country, this rite was maintained up to the present time and is almost unchanged till today.
The Mongkhon, or Mongkol (headband) and Pra Jiad (armbands) are often worn into the ring before the match begins. They originate back in times when Thailand was in a constant state of war, where young men would tear off pieces of a loved one’s clothing (often their mother’s sarong) and wear it to battle for good luck as well as to ward off harmful spirits. The Mongkol is a blessed headband and thus a talisman. In modern times the Mongkol (lit. meaning holy spirit, luck, and protection) is worn as a tribute to the gym that the Muay Thai fighter is fighting out of.
Traditionally, fighters receive their Mongkon from the coach when they trained hard enough and are ready to represent the Muay Thai Camp in the ring with honor. The coach must be fully convinced of the skills of his Muay Thai student. Fighters wear the Mongkon also for paying respect to the coach, the Muay Thai school, and the sport itself. In addition, so that the gratitude and solidarity to all people is expressed, which accompanied the fighters on the difficult path to the fight. Often after the fighter has finished the Wai_khru ceremony, the trainer will take the Mongkol off of his head and place it on their corner of the ring for luck. For the fight it is however not worn. This brings the fighters luck and protects him from possible dangers. So the Mongkhon is a highly spiritual object in Muay Thai.
For women it was long time forbidden to wear a Mongkol, as this will bring bad luck. Meanwhile, however, some Muay Thai schools and trainers have abandoned these views and also allow their female students to wear a Mongkol in the ring.
The Mongkol is awarded by a consecration to the spiritual force that is said to it. The ceremony can be performed both by a Buddhist monk or a Muslim Imam. Usually the coaches and the fighters themselves take part to this consecration. Just taking part in such a ceremony, the self-consciousness of the Fighter is often strengthened, which can have a positive effect in combat. Even fighters who do not live the teachings of Buddhism may participate in the ceremony and be protected.
These days, the Muay Thai headbands are made from ropes, ribbons and silk materials.
Whether the fighter is a Buddhist or not, it is common for them to bring the Mongkol to a Buddhist monk who blesses it with good luck prior to stepping into the ring.