Decoding the ancient paintings at the Imperial Observatory.

The head of the Hue Ancient Citadel Relics Conservation Center has just released information regarding the discovery of ancient paintings, with a composition resembling a map, which were found during the process of removing old paint layers from the walls of the Khâm Thiên Giám building.

On the afternoon of January 24th, in an interview with Thanh Nien newspaper , Mr. Hoang Viet Trung, Director of the Hue Ancient Citadel Relics Conservation Center, provided information about the ancient painting with a layout resembling a map, which social media claimed was recently discovered during the process of removing old paint from the walls of the Kham Thien Giam building.

Painting at the Imperial Observatory. PHOTO: AN HOA

According to Mr. Trung, the paintings are rendered in black ink and include numerous symbols and characters belonging to three language systems: Chinese, Vietnamese, and French. Of these, Chinese characters make up the largest proportion.

Previously, the Hue Ancient Citadel Relics Conservation Center had compiled a dossier and was submitting it to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism requesting recognition of the Khâm Thiên Giám relic as a national-level relic. Currently, the unit is researching and preparing a project dossier for the restoration and preservation of the relic.

"The murals on the walls of the Imperial Observatory were surveyed and documented during the process of compiling the records. Now, because this area has been cleared, people are only seeing them now, but in fact, the unit managing the historical site had already recorded them and included them in the historical site's documentation beforehand," Mr. Trung said.

The murals were painted on the two gable walls of the traditional house.

PHOTO: AN HOA

Mr. Trung stated that the content of the murals on the walls is also being studied and deciphered to aid in the restoration work.

Explaining the meaning of these murals, the leader of the Hue Ancient Citadel Conservation Center stated that they are astronomical maps. Accordingly, the murals, painted on the two gable walls of the traditional house, include a diagram of 28 constellations and a map of rivers, topography, etc., used for astronomical and weather observation by the Imperial Observatory.

The paintings are astronomical maps from the Nguyen Dynasty. PHOTO: AN HOA

The Imperial Observatory was established in 1803 during the reign of Emperor Gia Long. It was an agency specializing in astronomical observation and observation, weather forecasting, calendar making, and timekeeping to determine planting seasons for the people.

However, the structure is now in a state of disrepair. Currently, the Khâm Thiên Giám complex is being considered for national monument status, as a basis for developing a restoration project in 2026 in accordance with regulations.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/giai-ma-nhung-buc-hoa-co-o-kham-thien-giam-185260124173116267.htm