Sara Gregor • March 17, 2025

Khmer Mythology & the New Year: Koreak Tevy’s Blessings for 2025

KHMER NEW YEAR 2025

As we step into 2025, the Year of the Snake, we also welcome the celestial influence of Koreak Tevy (Kō-rāk Té-vī), the Guardian of Monday in Khmer mythology. In Cambodian tradition, each new year is watched over by one of the Seven Daughters of Kabil Mohar Prom (Ká-Bél Mō-Há Proŭm), who takes turns carrying their father’s head in a sacred procession to ensure prosperity and balance for the human world. This year, as we navigate the wisdom and transformative energy of the Snake, it is fitting to explore the powerful symbolism of Koreak Tevy (Kō-rāk Té-vī) and how she may guide us through the months ahead.

The Seven Guardian Angel Goddesses & the Khmer New Year

According to Khmer mythology, the Seven Guardian Angel Goddesses, daughters of Kabil Mohar Prom, are each assigned to a day of the week. As part of the New Year tradition, one sister takes on the responsibility of carrying Kabil Mohar Prom’s head in a celestial procession, ensuring blessings of health, prosperity, and protection for the world. Each year, the day on which Khmer New Year falls determines which goddess will preside over the celebrations.


This year, Khmer New Year begins on Monday, April 14, 2025, meaning the guardian for this new cycle is Koreak Tevy. She will take up the sacred duty of tending to her father’s head, bringing fortune to those who honor her.

The Myth of Kabil Mohar Prom & the Sacred Riddle

Long ago, there was a young scholar named Dhammabal Koma, a man of great wisdom who could understand the language of birds. His intelligence and reputation spread far and wide, attracting the attention of Kabil Mohar Prom, the King of the Gods. However, the god was not pleased—he grew jealous of Dhammabal’s knowledge and sought to test him.

Kabil Mohar Prom descended to earth and posed a riddle to Dhammabal, wagering that if the scholar could not answer within seven days, he would lose his head. However, if Dhammabal succeeded, the god himself would face the same fate. The riddle was as follows:

  1. Where is happiness in the morning?
  2. Where is happiness in the afternoon?
  3. Where is happiness in the evening?

Dhammabal struggled for six days, unable to find the answer. On the seventh day, while resting under a tree, he overheard a pair of eagles discussing the riddle. The male eagle revealed the answer:

  • In the morning, happiness is on the face, as humans wash their faces at the start of the day.
  • In the afternoon, happiness is on the chest, as people clean their bodies to cool down from the midday heat.
  • In the evening, happiness is at the feet, as humans wash their feet after a long day before resting.

With this revelation, Dhammabal returned to Kabil Mohar Prom and presented the answer. Defeated, the god had no choice but to honor his vow—he cut off his own head. However, before doing so, he warned his seven daughters that his head held immense destructive power:

  • If it fell to the earth, it would set the world ablaze.
  • If it fell into the ocean, the seas would dry up.
  • If it was thrown into the sky, the rains would vanish, and the heavens would collapse.

To prevent disaster, Kabil Mohar Prom ordered his daughters to place his head on a golden platter and keep it in the celestial Keo Thomalee Temple (Keo-thom-ma-lee) atop Mount Kailash (Phňom Kái-láhs) in the heavens. Each year, a different daughter must carry his head in a sacred New Year’s procession, ensuring the continuation of blessings and balance on earth.


To prevent disaster, Kabil Mohar Prom ordered his daughters to place his head on a golden platter and keep it in the celestial Keo Thomalee Temple (Keo-thom-ma-lee) atop Mount Kailash (Phňom Kái-láhs) in the heavens. Each year, a different daughter must carry his head in a sacred New Year’s procession, ensuring the continuation of blessings and balance on earth.

The Symbolism of the Four Faces

The head of Kabil Mohar Prom is often depicted with four faces, which align with the Brahmavihara (ព្រហ្មវិហារ / Prôhmâvĭhar)—the four sublime attitudes in Buddhist teachings. These are the immeasurable virtues cultivated through meditation and ethical living:


Loving-kindness/Benevolence–Representing benevolence and goodwill toward all beings.

Compassion – The ability to recognize and alleviate suffering in others.

Empathetic Joy – Rejoicing in the happiness and success of others.

Equanimity – Maintaining inner balance and impartiality in all circumstances.


These four qualities are essential Buddhist virtues and represent the ideal state of mind for spiritual enlightenment. By carrying Kabil Mohar Prom’s head in the procession, the Seven Goddesses uphold these values, ensuring that the world continues to be filled with love, compassion, joy, and balance.

Koreak Tevy (Kō-rāk Té-vī): The Monday Goddess

Koreak Tevy is the second daughter of Kabil Mohar Prom and the divine protector of those born on a Monday. She is often depicted adorned with pearls and a fragrant Angkea Bous flower (Millingtonia hortensis/Jasmine Flower) tucked behind her ear. These symbols highlight her refinement, wisdom, and celestial grace. Yet, beyond her beauty, Koreak Tevy is also a guardian of strength and resilience.


In her right hand, she wields a mystical sword, a weapon that represents her ability to cut through illusion and protect truth. In her left hand, she holds an enchanted cane, symbolizing guidance and divine insight. She rides upon a majestic tiger, embodying courage, dignity, and power. Her favorite offerings include sesame and soybean oils, which are traditionally used to honor her presence.

Join the Cambodian New Year Celebration at Watt Munisotaram

From April 17-20, 2025, Watt Munisotaram will host its annual Khmer New Year celebration, where the community will gather for blessings, cultural festivities, and traditional ceremonies. A key highlight will be the processional ceremony welcoming the New Year, in which I will be participating. This sacred event re-enacts the celestial procession of Kabil Mohar Prom (Ká-Bél Mō-Há Proŭm)’s head, ensuring a year of renewal and prosperity for all.

If you are in Minnesota, I encourage you to join this beautiful celebration and witness the rich traditions that honor our ancestors and deities.

Last Year's Procession (2024)

Below is a video of last year's procession (2024). Along with a few photos of the angels. The women with the tall crown represent the 7 daughters and the other 8 women are additional angels that participated in the procession.

Conclusion: Walking with Koreak Tevy’s Energy

As we journey through 2025, Korak Tevy’s presence reminds us to move forward with wisdom, patience, and quiet strength. Just as she tends to the celestial cycle of the Khmer New Year, we too must tend to our own paths, shedding what no longer serves us and stepping into our power. This is a year to trust our intuition, protect our energy, and embrace the renewal that transformation brings.

How will you invoke Koreak Tevy’s guidance this year? Let her story and the spirit of the Snake lead you to deeper self-discovery, resilience, and prosperity.