U Shin Gyi
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U Shin Gyi (Burmese: ဦးရှင်ကြီး, IPA: [ú ʃɪ̀ɰ̃ dʑí]), also known as Lord of the Sea, Conqueror of the Salty Sea, or ရေငံပိုင်ဦးရှင်ကြီး (IPA: [jèŋàɰ̃ pàiɰ̃ ú ʃɪ̀ɰ̃ dʑí]), is a Burmese nat (spirit) commonly venerated in the Ayeyarwady Delta region. He is regarded as the guardian spirit of the sea, rivers, and waterways, and is especially revered by coastal communities.
U Shin Gyi is commonly depicted next to a tiger and crocodile, and is often shown holding a Burmese harp. He is believed to protect fishermen, boatmen, and travelers who traverse the waterways, and is associated with blessings of safety, abundance, and favorable tides.[1]
According to tradition, U Shin Gyi was born in the Mon era in Kasin village (alternatively, Siti village) in the Bago Region. After his father's death, he and his widowed mother, Daw Phyu, fell into poverty. To support his mother, he played the harp skillfully, which brought them some income. They later moved to Dala after being mistreated by relatives who refused to return borrowed money.
U Shin Gyi became a boatman to earn enough to ordain as a monk. During one journey, he and other woodcutters reached Meinmahla Island (also called Meemen Hla or Meninhla Kyun). While cutting driftwood, U Shin Gyi played his harp, attracting the attention of two nat sisters. Enchanted by the melody, they would not allow the boat to leave the island. After drawing lots three times, U Shin Gyi was selected for sacrifice to appease the spirits. According to legend, he vanished before hitting the water, transforming into a nat. From then on, he became known as U Shin Gyi, or Kyun Nyo Shin, the guardian deity of salt water.[2]
Sacred geography
U Shin Gyi is closely associated with Meninhla Kyun, also known in Mon as Mein Mla (“island where the emerald trees grow”). South of this is Kyun Nyo Gyi, now known as Kyun Nyo Gyi Village, a densely populated community where he is still widely revered.[2]
Local belief holds that crocodiles in the area are his guardians. Any act of disrespect, particularly harming crocodiles, is believed to provoke U Shin Gyi's wrath.[2]
