Preserving the value of national treasures right in the heart of the relic

The dragon bed is placed in front of the middle room of the Worship Hall at the Temple of King Dinh Tien Hoang.

The dragon bed is placed in front of the middle room of the Worship Hall at the Temple of King Dinh Tien Hoang.

These artifacts not only have great historical value, but also symbolize the quintessence of Vietnamese sculpture, reflecting the beauty of the soul and unique cultural identity of the nation.

The pair of Dragon beds at the Temple of King Dinh Tien Hoang are exquisitely carved entirely from a single block of green stone, recognized as a national treasure in 2017. Dating back to the 17th century under the Le Trung Hung Dynasty, each Dragon bed weighs about 1.5 to 2 tons, with a length of nearly 2m and a width of nearly 1.5m. Not only symbolizing the authority of an emperor, the image of a coiled dragon on the surface of the Dragon bed is also a symbol of the people's wish for favorable weather and bountiful crops. The ancient artisans skillfully breathed life into each line, creating a vivid artistic picture - where rich motifs such as clouds, birds, weasels, fish and chrysanthemums... blend together, expressing the deep connection between nature and national culture.

The dragon bed is placed in front of the outer gate at the Temple of King Dinh Tien Hoang.

Along with the pair of Long Sang, two Phu Viet sets at the Temple of King Dinh Tien Hoang and the Temple of King Le Dai Hanh were also recognized as national treasures in 2020. Crafted in the 17th century, each Phu Viet set is up to 2.7 m high (including the handle), with graceful dragon motifs, sharp swords and spears, combined with chrysanthemums and Bodhi leaves depicting the intersection between sculpture and the nation's worship beliefs. Not only are they sacrificial objects for worship, the two Phu Viet sets are also a testament to the creative talent and sophistication in the crafting techniques of our ancestors, reflecting the cultural intersection of the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people at that time.

The Vietnamese Ministry of War at the Temple of King Dinh Tien Hoang.

The Vietnamese Ministry of War at the Temple of King Le Dai Hanh.

Ms. Le Thi Bich Thuc, Deputy Director of the Center for Conservation of Historical and Cultural Relics of the Ancient Capital of Hoa Lu, shared: The work of preserving these treasures is not only an important task in preserving unique original artifacts but also a way to connect the community and bring a deep understanding of national treasures. “We are constantly promoting and introducing the special values of these treasures through attaching QR codes in four languages (Vietnamese, English, French and Korean), along with vivid images. This helps domestic and foreign tourists to access the most complete and accurate information about national treasures”. Ms. Bich Thuc also emphasized that preserving unique treasures is not only preserving national artifacts but also protecting the soul of the nation's culture.

However, preserving these national treasures is not easy. Challenges from climate change, environmental pollution and human encroachment are always present. Ms. Bich Thuc also emphasized: “We regularly inspect and monitor to promptly detect factors that can harm the treasures, thereby providing the most effective conservation solutions. In addition to scientific preservation methods, we also focus on propaganda work, raising visitors' awareness of accessing and protecting national treasures”.

Mr. Khuc Minh Quang, a student at Hanoi University of Architecture, excitedly shared his feelings when he first saw the treasures at Hoa Lu Ancient Capital: “When visiting Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, I felt the sacredness and profound historical and cultural values. Treasures such as Long Sang and Phu Viet set, to me, are not only artifacts but also vivid stories about the culture and history of the nation.”

National treasures such as the pair of Long Sang or the two sets of Phu Viet are not only the pride of the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital National Monument but also the common property of the entire nation. These are living proofs of a glorious historical period, the connecting thread between the past, the present and the future, helping each Vietnamese person better understand the historical and cultural roots of their country. These national treasures are not only the flame that lights up national pride, but also a profound reminder of the responsibility to preserve and spread sacred historical and cultural values, so that national treasures will forever exist with the development of the country.

Source: https://baoninhbinh.org.vn/luu-giu-gia-tri-cua-bao-vat-quoc-gia-ngay-trong-long-di-732094.htm