Elephant or Stork? Laotian Silk Weaving – 2

So remember this?

I received a note from a knowledgeable reader and am sharing his note here:

Joshua Hirschstein writes

“The primary motif is that of the “phii nyak,” or “giant spirit” – a vicious spirit that protects the innocent and is often found on children’s blankets.

Below the phii nyak are “siho,” mythical elephant-lions that are emblematic of male energy, and below that are “hong birds,” with elephant trunks (echoing the siho) which represent good luck.