Philosophy of Meitei script
The philosophy of Meitei script (; Meitei Mayek Wangulon / Wangulol) is a part of Meitei philosophy and the philosophy of Sanamahism. It links the letters, alphabets, and numerals of the Meitei script with mythology, folklore, religion, and philosophy. The script is used not only for writing but also to explain the creation of the universe and human beings.
Creation
According to Meitei belief, the Universal Lord, also called the God Father Creator, existed in an indeterminate primordial state. He began to think AbOUT creating the universe. As a result, space, stars, the sun, earth, fire, water, and air came into existence.
Seven-day week and creation of man
The creation of humans is linked with the seven-day week, with each day associated with the creation of specific parts of the human body and related Meitei alphabets.
Langmaiching (Sunday)
Langmaiching is the first day of the week, now called Nongmaijing. It represents the beginning of human creation.
The name Langmaiching comes from:
- Lang – becoming a human body from the immaterial spirit of the God Father.
- Mai – human face or Laipak.
- Ching – attraction toward a centre.
On this day, the God Father Creator incarnates as the number 1 (꯱), attracting fire, water, air, earth, and space to begin the creation of man, particularly the Laipak (forehead), which becomes the permanent seat of the God Father Creator as long as the human lives.
The Loi peoples of Kangleipak still use the original term Langmaiching. The general term changed to Nongmaijing during the 18th century cultural evolution.
Ningthoukapa (Monday)
Ningthoukapa is the second day of the week, corresponding to Monday.
On this day, the first three Meitei alphabets (ꯀ, ꯁ, ꯂ) appeared, representing the completion of the head.
Meaning of Ningthoukapa:
- Ning – mind.
- Thou – directing the mind.
- Kapa – taking a seat.
The God Father Creator permanently takes His seat in the Laipak (forehead).
Leipakpokpa (Tuesday)
The third day of the week is Leipakpokpa, meaning “birth of the human trunk” (Leipak for Earth, Pokpa for giving birth).
The second set of three alphabets (ꯃ, ꯄ, ꯅ) appeared to help the creation of the human trunk.
Legend says that Sanamahi Lainingthou first created animals but failed to create man. The God Father Creator advised him to create man in the image seen in the pupils of His eyes.
Imsakeisa (Wednesday)
Imsakeisa is the fourth day, representing the construction of the human body trunk, which becomes a temple for the God Father Creator.
Three alphabets (ꯆ, ꯇ, ꯈ) symbolize mouth, sperm, and chin, relating to the human body's structure and functions.
Meanings are Im for house, sa for built, kei for barn, sa for storage, showing the human body as a temple.
Sakonsen (Thursday)
Sakonsen represents the internal organs and the heart, where the God Father Creator resides.
Alphabets ꯉ, ꯊ, ꯋ correspond to tongue and gullet, chest organs, and the heart.
Meanings are Sa for human body, kon for embracing, sen for keeping under care, showing the Creator's love and protection.
Eelai (Friday)
Eelai represents the outward form and shape of the human body.
Alphabets ꯌ, ꯍ, ꯎ relate to the spine, the living body, and the God Father Creator.
Meanings are Ee for blood, Lai for God, showing that the Creator began creation on Earth as a drop of blood.
Thangcha (Saturday)
Thangcha is the last day, completing the creation of the male human being.
Alphabets ꯏ, ꯐ, ꯑ correspond to blood, semen, and unlimited space, representing human procreation.
Meanings are Thang for "to drive down", cha for descendants, showing the continuation of mankind.
Importance
The Meitei Mayek script is more than a writing system. The Wakoklon Heelel Thilel Salai Ama-IIon Pukok states:
In English, it is translated as:
The letters and numbers of the Meitei script show cosmic creation, human body structure, and spiritual presence, having the deep connection between language, philosophy, and religion in Meitei culture.
Alphabets and body parts
Image(s) |
Letter(s) |
Representation(s) |
Name(s)/Pronunciation(s) |
Romanization |
Meaning(s) |
Latin equivalent letters/sounds |
IPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
kok |
head or brain |
K |
/k/ |
||||
sam/sham |
hair |
S |
/s/ |
||||
lai |
forehead |
L |
/l/ |
||||
mit/meet |
eye |
M |
/m/ |
||||
pā/paa |
eyelash |
P |
/p/ |
||||
nā/naa |
ear |
N |
/n/ |
||||
chil/cheel |
lips |
Ch |
/t͡ʃ/ |
||||
til/teel |
saliva |
T |
/t/ |
||||
khou |
throat, palate, neck |
Kh |
/kʰ/ |
||||
ngou |
pharynx, larynx |
Ng |
/ŋ/ |
||||
thou |
breast, chest, ribs |
Th |
/tʰ/ |
||||
wai |
navel, heart |
W |
/w/ |
||||
yang |
backbone, vertebral column, spine |
Y |
/j/ |
||||
huk/hook |
joint, articulation |
H |
/h/ |
||||
un/oon |
skin, hair follicle |
U |
/u(ː)/ |
||||
ee/i |
blood |
I or E |
/i(ː)/ |
||||
pham/fam |
"anus" or "buttocks" or "seat" or "uterus" or "womb" |
F or Ph |
/pʰ/ |
||||
atinga/atiya |
"sky" or "immortality" or "heaven" or "eternity" or "divinity" or "celestial being" or "birth" |
A |
/ɐ/ |
See also
- Chang Thokpa
- Meitei script movement
- Meitei language movement
- Meitei language day
- Meetei Erol Eyek Loinasillol Apunba Lup
- Manipur Official Language Act