The clear history of the Emerald Buddha begins when it was discovered in a jedi (tall stupa or pagoda) at Wat Phra Kaeo, Chiang Rai, in 1434. It had been hidden, covered in plaster, but lightening struck, it suddenly became visible and was noticed. Originally from India, it had been taken to Sri Lanka. A voyage intending to return it got driven off-course in a typhoon. The image is said to have spent time in present day Cambodia, enshrined at Angkor Wat. After the fall of the Khom, it went to Kampangpet; perhaps through Ayudhaya. In 1390 AD, Lanna had almost achieved its eminence but may have been experiencing dynastic succession problems. King Mahabhrom, a second tier king ruling Chiang Rai, concealed it inside the stupa of Wat Pa Yieh (Bamboo Forest), for reasons we can only guess at. After the lightening strike, the temple took on the name of the image, which remained only a couple more years. It was taken to Chiang Mai in 1436, and remained there until 1547, when Lanna was on its last legs.

In the time of King Taksin, the Emerald Buddha was captured by Thai forces under Phaya Chakri during an invasion of Vientiane (1778). It was taken to Thonburi, and moved to Krungthep (Bangkok) when the temple built for it, Wat Phra Kaew, was finished (1784). This marked the rise to great power of a new line of monarchs, the Chakri Dynasty. The image, still at Wat Phra Kaew, Krungthep, is said to guarantee Thailand's independence.