When it comes to temples from the famous Hai Phong city, we cannot help but mention . This is a famous sacred place and carries the unique cultural and spiritual significance of the people of Hai Phong. Join the Hai Phong Handbook to learn about the historical and traditional values of Phu Thuong Doan – Hai Phong.
WHERE IS PHU THUONG DAO?
Located on a high and airy land, Phu Thuong Doan (Dong Hai 1 ward, Hai An district) is famous as a center of the East (Hai Duong – Hai Phong) in worshiping the Holy Mother Lieu Hanh. – one of the “Four Immortals” of Vietnam.
Built in the 16th century, with wooden columns and trusses, and an architectural system carved with sophisticated patterns, in 1992, Phu Thuong Doan was approved by the Ministry of Traditional Culture, Sports and Tourism. recognized as a national architectural and artistic relic, becoming one of the sacred “Four Spirits” of An Duong ancient district.
The Vietnamese have a saying: “August father’s death anniversary, mother’s death anniversary in March”, mother here refers to the holy mother Lieu Hanh, one of the four immortals conferred by the people: Tan Vien, Thanh Giong, Chu Dong Tu, and Chu Dong Tu. Lord Willow. Lieu Hanh model is worshiped in many places across the country such as Tay Ho temple (Hanoi capital), Lo temple (Ha Tay), Song temple (Thanh Hoa), Giay temple (Nam Dinh), Thuong Doan palace (Hai Phong). .
Phu Thuong Doan is the place of worship of the holy mother Lieu Hanh in Hai Phong, prominently this place is also mentioned in ancient metal books. Books such as “Hai Duong Du Geography” and “Dai Nam Unified Chi” compiled in the Nguyen dynasty all refer to Thuong Doan palace and are classified as relics of Hai Duong province.
HISTORY OF PHU THUONG DAO
According to legend, all three times of Princess Lieu Hanh’s descent into the world are all three times the Holy Mother assisted the poor, helped the people reclaim land, and make a living. Characteristically, once the Holy Mother went on a cruise to visit the East Sea to Hai Phong, seeing that there was a beautiful sand dune in the middle of the vast sky, she stopped to enjoy.
Here, the philanthropist supported the good people, taught the people how to do business and lived, and was greatly respected and admired by the people. The place where the Holy Mother set foot there is present-day Dong Hai. To commemorate the merits of the people, the ancient Dong Hai villagers together set up a temple to worship early in the evening. The temple was built on a high, open ground, looking to the southwest, today named Phu Thuong Doan.
PHU THUONG DOA ARCHITECTURE
Thuong Doan Palace was built facing the south in the form of “the male saint who listens to the world”, that is, the sage sits back to the south and listens to people. In front of the palace, there is a lake, which is a gathering point for water to create feng shui, create a harmony of yin and yang, for the purpose of accumulating blessings for the world here.
Not only that, under the talented and skillful hands of the ancient artisans, the inside of the temple appears extremely splendid with carved arrays: punctured, embossed, carved on topics such as tigers. Phu, dragon, phoenix, four quarters, four spirits, … express the harmony of yin and yang, wishing for prosperous development.
In the middle of the palace, there is a painting of a great self, painted with gilded vermilion, in the embossed Chinese character “dark spirit word” to affirm the sacredness of the mother-worshiping relic. It is the masterful combination between the art of painting and sculpture with high convention and symbolism that has created the monumental and massive features of the ancient architecture.
According to legend, the palace was built around the sixteenth century and has undergone many renovations and embellishments. Phu Thuong Doan owns a relatively large and superficial ancient architecture. The architecture covers the layout in the style of “first – post-dining”, consisting of 3 layers: the three gates, the altar and the harem.
Phu Thuong Doan owns excellent wooden architectural carvings such as: embossed, carved on wood with themes of tiger, phoenix, peach jaw, two dragons, grass, flowers, sacred fruits, etc. Embossed art here has reached a high artistic level, creating an ancient, magnificent picture that is equally unique in architectural works.
Especially, at Phu Thuong Doan, 23 identities are still preserved for Lieu Hanh, Princess Thuong Dang Than, dating from 1846-1924.
Phu Thuong Doan has a full system of Mother worship:
- The Three Holy Mothers: symbolizes the system of governing the three regions of the universe, including the heavens, the mountains, and the rivers.
- The five venerable him are the five great mandarins who govern and carry out the mother’s intentions in the five directions
- The four palaces of the emperor, the four palaces of the saints, the four houses of the saints: are the assistants of the mother
- In the harem, next to the three altars of the Holy Mother, there is an altar to worship the Holy Father and the Holy Mother
FESTIVAL FESTIVAL OF THUONG DAO
Every year in the third lunar month, Phu Thuong Doan jubilantly celebrates with sacrifices and ceremonies. In particular, during the festival, there is a ritual procession of scriptures from Ve Pagoda to Phu for worshiping. This is an indispensable ritual in the annual Phu Thuong Doan festival, to recall the legend of the holy mother.
In addition to the dignified sacrifices, respectful book procession, Phu Thuong Doan festival also organizes a number of folk games such as the nest of prostitutes, cheo singing, ca tru singing, adoring saints, etc. A large number of people and tourists from all over the world come to offer incense and attend the festival at the model gate.
With unique traditional cultural features imbued with history, on January 21, 1992, Phu Thuong Doan relic was ranked as an architectural and art relic by the Ministry of Culture and Information according to Decision No. 97/QD. and became one of the sacred “four spiritual words” of An Duong ancient district.
Source: Collected internet.