Victory Gate of Angkor Thom, Siem Reap
City Gate in Siem Reap
The Victory Gate of Angkor Thom, known as Thvear Chey, is one of the five monumental gates surrounding the ancient city. Located on the eastern side, it deviates from the symmetry of the other gates, which align with cardinal points based on Hindu cosmology. The gate stands on a non-secular axis that connects to significant landmarks like the Terrace of the Elephants and the Royal Palace, as well as the East Baray and East Mebon Temple to the east. The gate is approached by a stone causeway flanked by a naga railing, pulled by 54 stone giants-Asuras and Devas-symbolizing the eternal struggle between good and evil, as told in the Hindu myth of the 'Churning of the Sea of Milk.' Though only a few heads of the mythological figures remain, the naga railing is best preserved at the southern gate.
At the Victory Gate, the entrance is flanked by a trio of elephants pulling up lotus flowers with their trunks. Above the elephants, there are depictions of a central figure with two devas, commonly believed to be King Jayavarman VII with his queens, though some scholars, like Henri Marchal, suggest it represents the god Indra with two divinities. Rising above this scene are rows of devata in prayer, leading up to the four colossal faces of the gate, each one facing a cardinal direction. These faces, adorned with diadems, a diamond-shaped mark on their foreheads, and ornate crowns, are a hallmark of the gate’s grandeur. Atop the faces, three towering prasats rise, with the central one being the tallest and crowned by a lotus flower spire. The Victory Gate is the only one to retain remnants of an ornate pediment, showing Avalokiteshvara flanked by worshippers, offering a glimpse of the artistic grandeur that once adorned this entrance.
What Other Travellers Say...
Victory Gate in Angkor is a well-known ruined city gate framed by towering stone faces and ancient carvings; visitors say its quieter, tree-lined approach makes for a peaceful spot to explore and photograph, often less crowded than the South Gate, and worth a short stop on an Angkor itinerary.
The Victory Gate of Angkor Thom appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Siem Reap!
Moira & Andy
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