Abstract

This research aimed to study the representation of Hanuman, the semi-divine monkey-like being from the epic Ramayana, in modern sociocultural dimensions of Lopburi city, Thailand. The sample group comprised sixteen local people, selected using the purposive sampling method. The primary research instrument for data collection was a questionnaire, whose results were interpreted by content analysis. The conceptual framework used for the study was the theory of representations. The research found that Hanuman was used as a representation of people, places, and objects in sixteen dimensions of social culture: (1) as a mascot in national and regional sports competitions, (2) as a symbol of protection, (3) as an emblem for the Chinese Monkey Buffet Festival, (4) as a figure in public art, (5) as an icon to boost cultural tourism, (6) as an inspiration for costume designs, (7) as a symbol of strength and loyalty, (8) as a political identifier, (9) as a signifier of identity, (10) as a logo, (11) as a talisman, (12) as an object of faith and devotion in religious contexts, (13) as a safeguard in architectural elements, (14) as a guardian figure, (15) as a motif in traditional martial arts, and (16) as a symbol of cultural diplomacy. Hanuman’s representation in Lopburi exemplifies how localized cultural symbols dynamically mediate tradition and modernity, serving as adaptive tools for communal identity, economic development, and sociocultural cohesion.