The "self-sacrificing" ironwood tree used as a pillar in the main hall of Lam Kinh is associated with many mysterious stories.
Located in a land of "spiritual and talented people," the birthplace of national hero Le Loi, the Lam Kinh National Special Historical Site has long been not only a historical destination but also a place steeped in mystery.
Among these stories, the one about the ironwood tree that "sacrificed itself" for the reconstruction of the main temple is considered the strangest and most difficult to explain.
According to historical records, Lam Kinh was built in 1433 and served as the resting place of the kings and queens of the early Le Dynasty.
Over the centuries, the site has undergone restoration and preservation, and in 2012 it was recognized as a special national historical site.
At the heart of the complex is the main hall, a large-scale wooden architectural structure consisting of 3 buildings with 138 columns, restored according to the original design.
Something remarkable happened at the time the main hall restoration project began in 2010.
An ancient teak tree, over 600 years old, in the Lam Kinh forest, which had been thriving, unexpectedly shed its leaves, its branches withered, and it gradually died. This happened just as the construction design was being finalized, surprising many people.
When the tree was cut down, the strange thing continued to happen. The trunk of the ironwood tree was not hollow as is usually seen in old, ancient trees, but was solid and monolithic.
This area was once the site where the ironwood tree "sacrificed itself" at Lam Kinh.
The size of the tree was almost perfectly tailored to the components of the main hall: the trunk diameter of about 0.8m fit snugly into the base of the main column, the top part corresponded to the secondary columns, and the branches were sufficient to form the ridge beam and supporting columns.
The ironwood tree was then used as the main pillar, the most important position in the main hall, located in the rear hall, where the king used to rest. Local people liken the ironwood tree to a "guardian" silently standing beside the royal bed, protecting the sleep of the founding king.
Furthermore, the management has repeatedly attempted to plant new trees in the same location where the original teak tree once grew, but none have survived. This adds to the mystery, leaving many visitors pondering the story when they come here.
Sharing with reporters, Ms. Nguyen Thi Diem Huong (Hac Thanh ward, Thanh Hoa province ) said: “I had heard about this ironwood tree many times, but seeing it with my own eyes and hearing the tour guide's story, the feeling was indescribable. It felt both sacred and mysterious, making me respect this land even more.”
The main hall of Lam Kinh, where the ironwood tree that "sacrificed itself" was used as a pillar in the reconstruction project.
Meanwhile, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hien (Ho Chi Minh City), visiting Lam Kinh for the first time, also expressed her surprise: “Initially, I thought it was just a folk tale, but when I heard the details about the tree's size matching the structure, it was truly strange. Whether you believe it or not, this story made the trip much more special.”
Today, besides the story of the "self-sacrificing" ironwood tree, Lam Kinh still preserves many valuable structures such as the Dragon Courtyard, the Royal Temple, and Nhu Ang Lake... bearing the traces of a golden age of the nation.
Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/cay-lim-hien-than-va-bi-an-giua-dat-thieng-lam-kinh-213882.html
Comment (0)