Standing tall over the past 1000 years, the stone pillar of Chua Dam – a masterpiece of sculpture of the Ly Dynasty is still there with magical mysteries that need to be deciphered.
Dam pagoda was built by King Ly Nhan Tong in 1086 on the slopes of Dai Lam mountain, also known as Dam mountain, looking towards Duong river, now in Nam Son commune, Que Vo district, Bac Ninh province. Dam Pagoda is known as a great scenic spot of the Ly Dynasty, a temple with 99 superficial rooms with a total area of ​​​​about 8,400m2. Visiting the pagoda, walking through the paths, the hundred-year-old stone steps, we will admire a famous sculpture: the stone column of Dam pagoda.
The small temple was temporarily built by people on the old foundation to worship Buddha.
According to researchers, the stone pillar of Dam pagoda was carved in the 11th century with the name Lam Son Tu. The stone pillar is no longer intact as before, but it still carries a unique artistic value of sculpture in the Ly Dynasty – a most unique sculpture in the history of Vietnamese art.
Stone column with dragon carving motifs in Ly Dynasty at Dam Pagoda
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Small dragon heads carved
The stone pillar is placed on a large area outside the temple grounds, one side leaning against Dai Lam mountain, the other facing east, covering a large space.
The footprint of the tower is located on the opposite side of the stone column
The column is about 5m high, the bottom has a circular cylinder embossed with two winding dragons: the head reaches high towards the shining pearl, the body is wrapped around the column, the tail is intertwined. The special thing is that this pair of dragons is prominently carved among the delicately carved crochet flower-shaped sub-patterns.
The ancient well behind the pagoda is associated with the legend of Mrs.
Perhaps that’s why when contemplating this sculpture, many people have felt its mystery and sacredness. Lam Son Tu has a majestic and mysterious nature in it.
The background system of bunches of large stones shows the great scale of the ancient pagoda
There are many theories put forward by archaeologists and researchers when learning about this stone pillar. There is a theory that the stone pillar of Dam pagoda is a flagpole, there is also a theory that it is the supporting pillar of the ancient one-pillar pagoda. There are also many theories that agree with the view that the stone pillar of Dam pagoda is a Linga (symbol of the penis).
Panorama of Dam temple
This is a symbol in folklore beliefs originating from the Champa culture. Debates and theories will still be continued and need a real answer to the story of the stone pillar of Dam pagoda.
Source: Collected internet.