The image of the dragon in the Vietnamese psyche.

Unlike the Western perception of dragons as ferocious creatures, in Vietnamese culture in particular and Eastern culture in general, the dragon is the foremost of the four mythical creatures "Dragon,麒麟 (Kirin), Turtle, Phoenix"; the dragon is a noble and sacred creature, representing strength and power.

Dragons have appeared in Vietnamese culture since very early times, possibly from the Bronze Age. The earliest traces of dragons are found on Dong Son bronze artifacts such as the Ngoc Lu bronze drum and the Hoang Ha bronze drum. On these drums, dragons are depicted in a simple form, with a long, winding body, horned head, large eyes, and a wide-open mouth.

The cluster of dragon mascots in Binh Dinh takes the theme "Proud of the tradition of Father Dragon - Mother Fairy". Photo: D. Nhan

Every Vietnamese person has surely heard the legend of "The Dragon and the Immortal," as an explanation of the nation's origins. According to the legend, Lac Long Quan and Au Co gave birth to a hundred eggs, which hatched into a hundred children. Fifty followed their father to the sea, and fifty followed their mother to the mountains. The eldest son remained in Phong Chau, became king, established Dai Viet, and adopted the Hung King era. Since then, the Vietnamese people have always been proud of their Immortal-Dragon lineage.

During the Hung King era, with the unique characteristics of the rice-farming population living along rivers, the image of the dragon was that of a creature with a long body and crocodile scales, also known as "Giao Long".

Throughout history, across different dynasties, the image of the dragon has always been present in cultural and spiritual life, symbolizing aspiration and national pride. During the monarchical period, the dragon was associated with the image of the emperor; the dragon image was carved on seals, embroidered on imperial robes and royal belongings to represent the power of the monarchy.

Dragon imagery from the Ly Dynasty. Photo: Archival.

During the Ly Dynasty, the name of the capital region was Thang Long, symbolizing upward progress. Ly Dynasty dragons were depicted with long bodies, curving gracefully in many loops, and gradually tapering towards the tail.

During the Tran Dynasty, the image of the dragon inherited the basic elements of the Ly Dynasty but underwent changes in detail. The dragon's body became more robust and sturdy, its claws shorter and thicker, and many new poses appeared.

During the Later Le Dynasty, dragons had large heads and bodies that curved into two large sections, symbolizing feudal power. The dragon's head was no longer split in a single line but divided into evenly spaced strips, with flared eyebrows, chin beard, and leg hairs, and two curved whiskers. By the mid-18th century, the dragon's image had a swirling tail and a more slender body. This style of dragon depiction is believed to have appeared earliest in royal decrees.

Dragons from the Le Dynasty at the steps of the Kinh Thien Palace. Photo: Archival.

During the Nguyen dynasty, the dragon imagery continued to inherit elements from previous periods but with changes in form. The dragon's curvature was only moderately pronounced in two sections, its body was small and gradually lowered towards the tail, the tail was no longer spiral but straightened out, and its forehead was often concave and sloped backward.

The dragons are particularly notable for their sharp, spiky hairs, influenced by Ming Dynasty dragons. Their bodies are coiled with fiery or cloud patterns, their whiskers wavy and protruding from below their eyes. Dragons are depicted in various poses, appearing and disappearing within clouds, or as two dragons facing the sun, two dragons bowing to chrysanthemums, two dragons bowing to the character for longevity, and so on.

Dragon imagery is often depicted in the architecture of communal houses and temples. Photo: Provided.

The dragon imagery of this period is clearly expressed in architectural decorations, especially on the steps of the Hue imperial palace and the tombs of the Nguyen dynasty emperors. Through sculpture and design, Vietnamese dragons also possess their own distinct characteristics. For example, while Chinese dragons are often depicted as fierce and aggressive, Vietnamese dragons have softer, gentler lines.

In particular, from the latter half of the 14th century, the dragon image transcended palace architecture to appear in folk architecture such as sculptures in temples and pagodas, or sculptures on stone and pottery… The dragon image was also created in diverse and rich ways, depending on the beliefs of each region and the materials used.

In the imperial court, the dragon, a symbol of the emperor, was always depicted in a majestic and powerful posture. However, in folk art, the dragon was frequently shown on ceramics, often in a style combining light and dark shading, incorporating cloud and fire motifs to create a shimmering, mystical effect. Besides carving and painting, the art of stucco and ceramic mosaics creating dragon figures was also very common on the roofs of palaces and temples.

"The Twelve Zodiac Signs - The Dragon Lord". Painting by Le Tri Dung

In daily life, the image of the dragon is also expressed richly through cultural activities, such as dragon dances during festivals; the children's game of "Dragon and Snake Climbing to the Clouds"; dragons in folk paintings, etc.

Even in modern times, the dragon has maintained an important place in Vietnamese culture. It is still considered a symbol of good fortune, strength, power, luck, and wealth. The image of the dragon is used in many fields of art, culture, and even economics , such as when Vietnam is likened to the Asian Dragon…

Dragons remain a popular choice for decorating architectural works, paintings, sculptures, carvings, and are often embroidered on traditional Vietnamese ao dai dresses. At major events, such as opening ceremonies and inaugurations, dragon dances are frequently performed, symbolizing joy, good fortune, and prosperity.

The Year of the Dragon 2024 is expected to be a year of good fortune, bringing blessings and prosperity. Photo: PLO

Despite entering the industrial age, Vietnamese people have not forgotten the connection between tradition and modernity, and the image of the Vietnamese dragon remains cherished. The dragon has always been a symbol of progress and aspiration, stemming from the dream of King Ly Thai To and the new land of Thang Long. Therefore, the image of the dragon in the minds of many Vietnamese people today and in the future is always associated with beauty, development, and longevity.

Vietnamese people believe that the presence of the dragon and the Year of the Dragon brings good fortune, prosperity, and success in all aspects of life. The Year of the Dragon 2024 is expected to be a year of great luck, bringing good things and prosperity to each individual, as well as to the entire Vietnamese nation.

T. Toan

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/hinh-tuong-rong-trong-tam-thuc-nguoi-viet-post284195.html