Mae Sue Rocking Toy The Wooden Rocking Thai Guardian Sidekick _ When toys tell stories of culture, and culture becomes part of everyday life _ At CODE Studio, we see cultural stories as valuable resources — sparks for design ideas and bridges that reconnect people with the past in new forms. When culture is reinterpreted with a contemporary lens, it can come alive in the present, becoming something we can play, use, and share. Inspired by the belief in “Mae Sue” — a name many may have heard but few truly know — we invite you to rediscover this ancient story and see how local imagination has been reimagined as a wooden toy that brings together narrative, art, and community spirit in a single piece. _ Mae Sue: The Guardian of Newborn Life _ In Thai belief, Mae Sue is the guardian spirit who protects newborn children. There are seven Mae Sue, one for each day of the week, described in inscriptions and murals at Wat Pho (Wat Phra Chetuphon). Each appears as a woman with the head of an animal: lion, horse, buffalo, elephant, deer, cow, or tiger — animals that are also mounts of the planetary deities in Thai tradition. In earlier times, when medicine was not advanced, childbirth was uncertain and risky. Mae Sue became a spiritual protector for families, with each child’s fate entrusted to their guardian through rituals such as burying the placenta in sacred places — under anthills, large trees, or near water. To “trick fate,” parents often gave children nicknames like “ugly” or “unwanted,” fearing that if a Mae Sue loved the child too much, she might take the baby away. They also performed the ritual Rub Khwan Dek — lifting the baby on a bamboo tray and declaring: “Three days a ghost child, four days a human child.” This was a way of telling Mae Sue that the child now belonged to the human world. _ From Story to Wooden Toy _ The Mae Sue Rocking Toy was born from reinterpreting Thai culture — connecting ancient beliefs with contemporary toy design. It is the result of collaboration between CODE Studio and The Roots Routes, a platform for self-guided cultural tourism experiences. The idea took shape during Bangkok Design Week 2024, through the creation of three cultural walking routes in Bangkok’s old town. One route highlighted the historic timber district behind Wat Saket, home to century-old woodworking shops. There we witnessed the skill and potential of the local community’s craftsmanship. This discovery inspired a design project that could channel these woodworking traditions into a new cultural product. By drawing on the story of Mae Sue and weaving it into the timeless form of a rocking toy, we created something that is both meaningful and playful — and, importantly, made together with the artisans themselves. _ The Wooden Rocking Thai Guardian Sidekick A toy born from the spirit of a guardian _ Seven unique designs were created, each based on the animal associated with a child’s birth day, giving each toy a personal connection. They are crafted from rubberwood using traditional Thai joinery and layering techniques. Every piece is handmade by woodworkers from the timber district behind Wat Saket and the Bangpho community. Through close collaboration with designers, the process involved prototyping, testing, and refining together. The result is more than a product — it is a partnership with artisans that breathes new meaning into their craft. Each toy carries stories, skills, and the living connection of a real community. _ From Toy to Guardian Friend _ Looking ahead, we are expanding the collection beyond the rocking toy — creating Mae Sue dolls, home décor, and children’s bedroom items. Our vision is for Mae Sue to live on as a gentle guardian friend for the next generation. Simple, warm, and contemporary, the Mae Sue Rocking Toy is more than just a toy. It is a guardian spirit reborn to stand beside children once again — handcrafted by Thai artisans, and designed through cultural imagination for today’s world.