Cluster of ancient Lagerstroemia trees with 3 blooming flowers of 3 different colors

See 3 ancient trees as 3 gentlemen Phuc - Loc - Tho

When visiting the cluster of Lagerstroemia trees, many people cannot help but wonder why the 3 trees are in a straight line and evenly spaced. Whether this perfect arrangement was given by nature or planted by humans, no one knows for sure. Because when the 3 trees were discovered, the Phan family had entered the 9th generation (the oldest family in Cho Vam Town - PV ).

The cluster of Lagerstroemia trees was recognized as a Vietnam Heritage Tree in 2018.

Mr. Cao Thanh Hung (Tu Hung, 67 years old), Deputy of the Bang Lang Temple Management Board, said that in 1926, when the temple moved to Phu Hiep hamlet, the three Lagerstroemia trees were already towering. His generation only knew the origin of the trees through folklore and family stories.

The strange thing is that the 3 Lagerstroemia trees have flowers of different colors, respectively light purple, dark purple, pink. In 2018, the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment recognized them as Vietnam Heritage Trees, which are rare in the South. At that time, 1 tree was estimated to be over 215 years old, 2 trees were over 305 years old, the average height was over 8 m, the circumference of the tree trunk at a height of 1.3 m above the ground was 4 m. The flowers bloomed around the 2nd lunar month, lasting more than 1 month, highlighting the whole sky. Local people consider the 3 Lagerstroemia trees as the 3 gods Phuc - Loc - Tho, bringing good things to everyone.

Over time, the core of the tree rots, creating cavities that visitors can crawl into. There are large hollow trees that can accommodate 2-3 people. With the naked eye, you can see a part of the tree trunk separated from the roots, eroded by wind and rain to create a unique shape like stalactites. "Only the skin (bark - PV ) remains, but the elders still nurture the branches, the branches grow well. Every year the flowers bloom on time, covering the leaves. The two purple flower trees have given birth to the species. I don't understand why the pink flower tree has not had a successor yet," Mr. Hung shared.

Each Lagerstroemia tree is protected by a solid fence. Apart from the fallen leaves that are swept away by the locals, almost no one dares to break the branches on their own. According to Mr. Cao Van Hau (48 years old, local resident), this stems from spiritual stories that have been passed down through many generations. There was a farmer who asked to break 3 branches, but after breaking 4 branches, he became seriously ill. There was a person who did not ask permission to bring branches home for firewood and was "punished" and could not enter the house. Or the story of trees only falling when the wind stops... From these strange things, people gradually formed a belief that they had to ask "Lady" for permission to do anything.

Protect Heroic Vietnamese Mother

According to Mr. Hung, Bang Lang Temple was established in 1859. At that time, there were 4 people in their fifties from the Central region, carrying on their shoulders a cloth bag and a silk piece 1.5 m wide, 1 m tall, with a drawing on the silk. In the drawing, there were 7 ladies, including: 1 lady sitting in the middle - the large one, said to be Lady Thien Hau (Thuong Dong Co Hy); 6 small figures, each side had 3 maids in a sitting position. Compared to the places they had been to, the 4 men thought that this land was the most suitable, so they decided to hand over the silk piece to build a temple to worship her. At that time, Mr. Tran Huu Quan took charge of receiving the silk piece, maintaining the worship ceremony on the 15th - 16th of the 3rd lunar month every year.

Previously, Bang Lang Temple was located on the border between the two old Phu An and old Phu Lam communes. The French colonialists suspected that it was a revolutionary activity, so they sabotaged it, forcing the organizing committee to move the temple. At that time, Mr. Phan Van Hien (grandfather Bay) represented the incense burner team to the old Phu Lam commune to worship (now Cho Vam town), and named it Phu Huu Temple. Coincidentally, a man from the outside came and said he had a dream that this area had 3 ancient Lagerstroemia trees, which was a sacred place to build a temple. Following the advice, the people went to look for them, discovered 3 Lagerstroemia trees, and immediately changed the name to Bang Lang Temple.

Since 1926, the painting of the seven ladies no longer exists due to damage. The main hall only retains the words "Thien Y Tien Nuong". Before 1945, the temple became the old Phu Huu hamlet school to eradicate illiteracy. The school trained many talented people, contributing to revolutionary activities. "During the resistance war against the US, the purple-flowered tree sheltered the heroic Vietnamese mother Phan Thi Yet. That time, the enemy launched a sweep, intending to search for the cluster of ancient trees, but it rained heavily. The enemy saw the dangerous terrain, and were afraid of spiritual matters, so they did not dare to go further. Mother Yet performed a year of opera to thank her for her protection", Mr. Hung recounted.

Mr. Hung said that nowadays, with the spacious and cool space of the 3 ancient trees, teachers of "B" Primary School in Cho Vam Town (reserve point 1) asked to borrow the space to teach physical education. Students and locals often pass by, so the atmosphere is very cheerful and the landscape is kept clean and beautiful. "The children are still young but have beeneducated to be aware of preserving and protecting the 3 Lagerstroemia trees. The stories told around them also help them learn more about history and love their homeland more. Local people, whether old or young, consider the cluster of ancient trees important in their cultural and spiritual life," Mr. Hung confided. (to be continued)

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/cum-bang-lang-co-thu-3-cay-no-hoa-3-mau-khac-nhau-185240108224918301.htm