Most Burmese people are Theravada Buddhists, and many also follow practices which originated in Hindu astrology.
Burmese astrology recognizes the seven planets of astrology — the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.
In addition, it recognizes two other planets, Rahu and Ketu.
All the Burmese names of the planets are borrowed from Hindu astrology, but the Burmese Rahu and Ketu are different from the Hindu Rahu and Ketu.
The Burmese consider them to be distinct and separate planets, whereas Hindu astrology considers them to be either the Dragon's Head and Tails, or Ascending and Descending Nodes.
To the Burmese people, Ketu is the king of all planets.
As in many other languages, the Burmese name the seven days of their week after the seven planets, but Burmese astrology recognizes an eight-day week, with Wednesday being divided into two days; until 6 p.m. it is Wednesday, but after 6.pm.
until midnight it is Rahu's day.

It is important for Burmese Buddhists to know on which day of the week they were born, as this determines their planetary post.
There are eight planetary posts, as Wednesday is split in two (a.m. and p.m.).
They are marked by animals that represent the day — garuda for Sunday, tiger for Monday, lion for Tuesday, tusked elephant for Wednesday morning, tuskless elephant for Wednesday afternoon, mouse for Thursday, guinea pig for Friday and nāga for Saturday.
Each planetary post has a Buddha image and devotees offer flowers and prayer flags and pour water on the image with a prayer and a wish called a Blessing Ritual.
At the base of the post behind the image is a guardian angel, and underneath the image is the animal representing that particular day.
The plinth of the stupa is octagonal and also surrounded by eight small shrines (one for each planetary post).
It is customary to circumnavigate Buddhist stupas in a clockwise direction.

The pilgrim, on his way up the steps of the pagoda, buys flowers, candles, coloured flags and streamers.
These are to be placed at the stupa in a symbolic act of giving, which is an important aspect of Buddhist teaching.
There are donation boxes located in various places around the pagoda to receive voluntary offerings which may be given to the pagoda for general purposes.
As of December 2017 foreigners are charged a 10,000 Kyats (approx.
US$7) entrance fee.

When going to Shwedagon, devotee would perform a Blessing Ritual.
This is when a devotee goes up to his/her planetary posts to perform dāna and to pour water for logiverity, good fortune, or just a simple prayer.
You would pour water according to your current age.
For example if you are twenty years old you would pour twenty times.
When pouring you can pour over the nat, the buddha or the animal that's under the buddha.
Some would consecutively pour over one while others will alternate.
Most Burmese people are Theravada Buddhists, and many also follow practices which originated in Hindu astrology. Burmese astrology recognizes the seven planets of astrology — the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. In addition, it recognizes two other planets, Rahu and Ketu. All the Burmese names of the planets are borrowed from Hindu astrology, but the Burmese Rahu and Ketu are different from the Hindu Rahu and Ketu. The Burmese consider them to be distinct and separate planets, whereas Hindu astrology considers them to be either the Dragon's Head and Tails, or Ascending and Descending Nodes. To the Burmese people, Ketu is the king of all planets. As in many other languages, the Burmese name the seven days of their week after the seven planets, but Burmese astrology recognizes an eight-day week, with Wednesday being divided into two days; until 6 p.m. it is Wednesday, but after 6.pm. until midnight it is Rahu's day.
It is important for Burmese Buddhists to know on which day of the week they were born, as this determines their planetary post. There are eight planetary posts, as Wednesday is split in two (a.m. and p.m.). They are marked by animals that represent the day — garuda for Sunday, tiger for Monday, lion for Tuesday, tusked elephant for Wednesday morning, tuskless elephant for Wednesday afternoon, mouse for Thursday, guinea pig for Friday and nāga for Saturday. Each planetary post has a Buddha image and devotees offer flowers and prayer flags and pour water on the image with a prayer and a wish called a Blessing Ritual. At the base of the post behind the image is a guardian angel, and underneath the image is the animal representing that particular day. The plinth of the stupa is octagonal and also surrounded by eight small shrines (one for each planetary post). It is customary to circumnavigate Buddhist stupas in a clockwise direction.
The pilgrim, on his way up the steps of the pagoda, buys flowers, candles, coloured flags and streamers. These are to be placed at the stupa in a symbolic act of giving, which is an important aspect of Buddhist teaching. There are donation boxes located in various places around the pagoda to receive voluntary offerings which may be given to the pagoda for general purposes. As of December 2017 foreigners are charged a 10,000 Kyats (approx. US$7) entrance fee.
When going to Shwedagon, devotee would perform a Blessing Ritual. This is when a devotee goes up to his/her planetary posts to perform dāna and to pour water for logiverity, good fortune, or just a simple prayer. You would pour water according to your current age. For example if you are twenty years old you would pour twenty times. When pouring you can pour over the nat, the buddha or the animal that's under the buddha. Some would consecutively pour over one while others will alternate.
Shwedagon Pagoda