Canonical style for Buddha icons developed probably in the kingdom of Sukhothai (modern Thailand), beginning in the 14th century.
The Sukhothai Buddhas
typically either seated in the half-lotus posture with right hand performing the earth-touching gesture or walking with one foot forward and the right hand raised to the chest
have a boneless, weightless elegance. The parts of the body follow abstract ideals based on analogy with natural forms (e.g., shoulders like an elephant's trunk, torso like a lion). The head typically bears a flamelike protuberance above a cranial bump, which the faithful believe contains an extra brain cavity.