I designed a diadem inspired by the Burmese legend of the "thike," a group of celestial beings sent to Earth with the purpose of performing good deeds. Despite being born as humans, thike beings often develop attachments to their earthly lives, including family and personal relationships. However, if a thike being succumbs to negative influences such as substance abuse or harmful behavior, they risk being sent back to their previous world. To avoid this fate and live a fulfilling human life, some thike beings perform rituals.
The inspiration for my diadem came from my imagination of the thike world, and the feeling it evoked in me. I imagined a sacred realm where these celestial beings reside, and wanted to capture that sense of holiness in the design of the diadem. To do this, I incorporated heavenly and divine elements into the diadem's appearance, and I used brass and nickel to elevate this feeling. The chains in the diadem symbolize the attachments that thike beings form after being born as humans. I also included Burmese patterns as a nod to the origin of the thike myth that inspired my creation.