Queen Soma, also known as Neang Neak in Khmer mythology, is one of the most revered and foundational figures in the history and legend of Cambodia.

She is often depicted as a Naga princess—the daughter of the serpentine Naga King who rules the underwater world. Symbolizing fertility, protection, and the divine link to the natural world, Queen Soma embodies the profound mythological and cultural roots of the Khmer civilization.

Mythical Origins and Symbolism

The story of Queen Soma intertwines deeply with the origins of the ancient Kingdom of Funan, which is acknowledged as a precursor to the later Khmer Empire. According to legend, she was not only a ruler but a supernatural figure from the Naga lineage—serpents that are protectors of water, fertility, and the land's prosperity in Cambodian culture.

The Naga, often depicted as multi-headed serpent deities, serve as guardians and are closely associated with crop fertility and protection against natural disasters.

Queen Soma's union with Kaundinya, a Hindu Brahmin warrior-prince, symbolizes the merging of indigenous Khmer culture with Indian civilization. This marriage was crucial in the Indianization process of Southeast Asia, laying the foundations for Cambodian culture, religion, and royalty.

The Khmer consider themselves descendants of this union, born from a Naga mother and a Brahmin father, representing a cultural fusion.

The Founding of Cambodia and the Naga Connection

According to Khmer legend, Kaundinya arrived by sea and encountered Queen Soma, ruling the waters as a Naga princess. Their marriage is more than a historical event; it represents the divine right and mystical origin of Khmer royalty.

The Naga King, Soma’s father, is believed to have extended the land by drinking up the surrounding waters, thus creating habitable land where the Khmer people could thrive. This highlights the Naga's role as protectors and creators in the mythology.

The serpent imagery, present in many Khmer temples such as those at Angkor, echoes this legacy. The Naga symbolizes protection and fertility, reflected in the architectural motifs guarding sacred sites, reinforcing the spiritual and natural harmony that Queen Soma represents.

Cultural and Religious Significance

Queen Soma as the Naga mother is not just a mythical figure but a protector deity whose legacy continues influencing Khmer art, culture, and religious practice. She embodies the connection between the physical world and the spiritual realm, highlighting harmony with nature, water, and fertility—the pillars of Cambodian life and society.

The importance of the Naga in Cambodian Buddhism and Hinduism also reflects this deep-rooted respect for her and her serpent lineage.

Queen Soma remains an iconic maternal and protective figure in Khmer heritage, symbolizing the mystical origins of Cambodia through her Naga ancestry and her vital role as the mother who gave birth to a civilization that would flourish in the heart of Southeast Asia.

This cultural narrative enriches understanding of Khmer identity, history, and spiritual life as seen in temple iconography and folklore that celebrates the enduring power and protection of the Naga mother, Queen Soma.