There are no historical records which indicate when Wat Phra Kaew was constructed. However, there once existed an old temple known as Wat Payia, or the temple of bamboo forests. In B.E 1977, or 1434 A.D., a pagoda in the compound of the temple was struck by lightning. Among the ruins was found the image of the Emerald Buddha and the temple has been called the Emerald Buddha, or Wat Prakaew, ever since.