Close-up of the 'two dragons worshipping the sun' set at Keo Pagoda

Keo Pagoda (literally named Than Quang Tu, Duy Nhat Commune, Vu Thu District, Thai Binh Province) is one of the ancient pagodas in Vietnam. Up to now, Keo Pagoda (Thai Binh) is nearly 400 years old, having undergone many restorations and renovations but still retains its unique architectural identity from the Le Trung Hung period, 17th century. In 2012, Keo Pagoda was recognized by the Government as a special national monument.

400 year old Keo pagoda

Inside the temple, there is a set of doors installed at the Tam Quan gate, which is also a national treasure with many long-standing historical values.

The door set is installed at the Tam Quan gate at Keo pagoda.

According to the documents, the door set is 2 m high and 2.6 m wide. The two doors are made from 8 ironwood panels, divided equally between the two panels. All are hand-assembled, using the mortise and tenon technique.

Each wing is carved with a large dragon, a small dragon and a unicorn. The two large dragons stretch their bodies upward towards the middle.

Two doors are made from 8 ironwood panels.

The dragon image here is expressed through the symmetrical layout of "two dragons facing the sun" when the two doors are joined together. The curved shape of the pair of dragons combines to form the shape of a Bodhi leaf, along with the skillful carving technique, creating many layers of space with depth.

The curved shape of the pair of dragons combined to form the shape of a Bodhi leaf.

The curved body of the big dragon pair, the small dragon pair has a round dragon body with a quick, flexible rhythm hidden behind the large and long blades and spears that stick out vertically, blending, intertwining, and being coherent and clear. The door set is not painted, not polished, and is left natural. This is considered a masterpiece of carving in the 17th century.

Door set, unpainted, unpolished, left natural

Currently, the door at the Tam Quan Noi Keo Pagoda is only opened when the pagoda has a big event; on normal days, the door is locked so that visitors can admire the mysterious beauty of this door.

The original set of dragon-carved doors of Keo Pagoda is on display at the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum.

According to the abbot of Keo Pagoda, the set of doors currently installed at the Tam Quan Noi of Keo Pagoda is a version that has been restored by artisans exactly like the original.

The original set of dragon-carved doors from Keo Pagoda is on display at the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum. In 2017, the doors were recognized as a national treasure.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/can-canh-bo-luong-long-chau-nhat-o-chua-keo-185240619165907793.htm