This Yao painting belongs to a set of pantheon Taoist gods paintings displayed during important rituals. A complete set of Yao paintings comprise 17 pictures with a well-defined order of specific deities. At the centre of these paintings are the Three Pure Ones. They are To Ta who is the oldest, Leng Si who holds the pill of immortality and Leng Pu who is associated with peace and health.Priests commission sets of paintings according to their rank and the types of ceremonies they can perform. Ceremonial paintings help to ensure prosperity, maintain proper relations in this and the next world and ensure a smooth transition to the afterlife. The Yao, is an ethnic minority group who migrated during the mid 19th century from Laos to Thailand.
