A pair of stone dragons at the Upper Temple - Co Loa ( Hanoi ). Photo: Thang Long Imperial Citadel.
The stone steps are placed in front of the outer gate of Co Loa Temple, also known as Thuong Temple, the temple dedicated to King An Duong Vuong, "Chinh Phap Dien," located on a high piece of land in the southwest corner of the inner citadel.
The pair of dragons are carved on a single block of stone. The two sides of the steps have relatively similar structures and decorative patterns. The main theme is the dragon, carved in a dynamic pose, moving from top to bottom along the vertical axis of the steps. The dragon's head is held high, with a prominent forehead forming a hump, sunken cheeks, a lion-like nose, round eyes, animal ears, and long, branched horns reaching down to the first section of its body; its mouth is wide, holding a pearl, its tongue short, its fangs sharp, and the lower jaw is decorated with small swirling cloud patterns. Its whiskers are wavy, extending from its eyes to its body, curving towards the back of its neck.
With a style combining sculpture and relief, the dragon symbol and cloud motifs create a vibrant, graceful, yet powerful effect against a backdrop of densely drifting clouds.
The 1732-dated stepped wall of Co Loa Temple is the only one of its kind in the country associated with the famous monument dedicated to King An Duong Vuong, the founder of the Au Lac state in the 3rd century BC. It is part of the architectural structure of the temple dedicated to the King, located within the Co Loa National Special Monument Area. Its dimensions, structure, and decorative patterns are unique and unlike any other monument in Vietnam with the same function and age.
The unique form of the pair of stone dragons on the steps of the Upper Temple (Co Loa) is evident in their very special carvings, bearing typical features of the Le Trung Hung period sculpture from the early 18th century. Unlike the pair of dragons on the steps behind the Kinh Thien Palace or the dragon steps at Lam Kinh, which have the characteristic appearance of palace steps symbolizing royal power, the pair of stone dragons on the steps of the Upper Temple (Co Loa) have their own unique features, creating a special distinction. Because the Upper Temple is a national temple, it combines symbols of royal power (five-clawed dragon) and four-clawed dragons. It also symbolizes the concept of "left male, right female," representing yin and yang; a concept of origin and development, which has philosophical significance, originating from the founding of the Vietnamese nation.
The imagery of the "eight treasures" depicted on the western dragon pedestal, a blend of Taoism and Buddhism, creates spiritual harmony and religious philosophy, reflecting contemporary artistic thought and the desire for a fulfilling and happy life, conveying the hopes of the ancients to the deities. It is precisely these decorative patterns that distinguish the steps of the Upper Temple from other known steps in religious and spiritual sites in Vietnam.
A distinctive feature of the pair of stone dragons at the Upper Temple (Co Loa) is their combination with the three stone incense burners in front ("Heavenly Stone Pillars" - three pillars that transfer the biological energy of the heavens down to the earth). From a spiritual and philosophical perspective, the outdoor stone incense burners represent the connection between heaven and earth, or the realm of the living and the dead – a pillar connecting heaven and earth. More profoundly, they carry a deeply humanistic meaning, praying for favorable weather and good fortune in people's lives. Therefore, the pair of stone dragons at the Upper Temple symbolize the energy of heaven and earth, representing the king and his power – the principal deity, King An Duong Vuong – and are sacred objects that bring vitality to a sacred place like the temple dedicated to the king.
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