Why do people seek out blessings for the coming year?

As the Thai New Year approaches, many believe in starting the year with auspiciousness in various aspects of life—be it work, health, or love—by seeking blessings from sacred elements. This includes religious practices like worshiping at 9 temples and spiritual or mystical beliefs, such as Moorish or Animist rituals. This article aims to delve into the reasons behind seeking blessings.

Commonly, seeking blessings from sacred elements might seem exclusive to the religiously inclined. However, it's interesting to note that a considerable number of individuals identifying as non-religious also seek blessings. For instance, a survey conducted in the United Kingdom in 2017 revealed that 40% of those who identified as non-religious turned to sacred elements during life crises. This indicates that seeking blessings might not necessarily be tied to religious beliefs.

This divergence between religious reasons and seeking blessings leads to the question of why people choose to pray or seek blessings from sacred elements. There are two primary factors:

Firstly, it relates to the belief in a higher power. Some individuals believe that certain uncontrollable aspects significantly influence their lives, beyond religious explanations. Moreover, for non-religious individuals, religious activities are perceived as an investment of physical and mental energy to attain desired outcomes. In contrast, asking for blessings or praying to sacred elements might be seen as an easier route, requiring less physical and mental exertion.

Another factor is seeking emotional support. During life crises, some individuals struggle to find solutions, seeking solace in blessings or prayers. While not necessarily problem-solving directly, seeking blessings can provide emotional stability. Psychological research by McCulloch and Parks-Stamm illustrated that people who prayed managed their emotions better. Praying made individuals feel less lonely or burdened by their issues. In contrast, those who didn't pray struggled more to understand and cope with their problems.

Considering these factors, the approach of the New Year symbolizes unpredictability and instills anxiety. Hence, people seek blessings to guard against unforeseen circumstances and to emotionally fortify themselves. It's a way to rely on the inexplicable while providing mental support. Importantly, seeking blessings is seen as an easy, resource-light means to emotionally cope and potentially address problems more effectively by providing a steadier emotional ground.