Visit the Hue Imperial Citadel to admire the unique dragon sculptures.

TPO - In Hue, the former capital of the Nguyen Dynasty, many precious images, names, and objects related to dragons—symbols of the emperor—are still preserved and passed down through generations. In particular, the image of the dragon is present in almost all architectural and sculptural works of the Hue Imperial Court, such as palaces, tombs, temples, and the Nine Dynastic Urns…

According to research, in the decorative art of the Hue imperial court, the image of the dragon occupies a dominant position on architectural works and royal artifacts, with many unique and diverse decorative styles using different materials such as wood, bronze, enamel, inlay, and ceramics.

Recently, Kien Trung Palace – one of the most unique palaces in the Hue Imperial Citadel – has completed its restoration and reopened to visitors. One of the most common decorative motifs and inlaid designs in this palace is the dragon.

As visitors prepare to enter the Hue Imperial Citadel (part of the Hue Imperial City Heritage Complex), from outside the Ngo Mon Gate, it's easy to spot the unique and exquisite dragon motifs decorating the roof edges and other structures of the Ngu Phung Pavilion.

A cluster of dragon sculptures decorates the Five Phoenix Pavilion at the Ngo Mon Gate of the Hue Imperial Citadel.

Dragon motifs can also be found on other architectural structures located on the Trung Dao bridge, the entrance to the Thai Hoa Palace, such as small gates and pillars.

The majestic dragon figure stands guard on the Thái Hòa Palace.   - A structure symbolizing the power of the Nguyen Dynasty.

A dragon image seen from behind on the roof ridge of the Thai Hoa Palace.

A dragon's head sits atop the throne inside the Thái Hòa Palace.

Dragon figures adorn the canopy above the throne inside the Thái Hòa Palace.

The relief sculptures of dragons coil around the eight pillars in the rear section of the Thai Hoa Palace .

A pair of dragons are uniquely sculpted on a lamppost inside the Hue Imperial Citadel.

Majestic dragon heads are sculpted in relief on decorative panels in a corridor near Huu Vu's house.

Dragon imagery is very common on the roof edges of architectural structures within the Hue Imperial Palace.

A pair of embossed dragons, weathered by time, adorn a large screen behind the Thái Hòa Palace.

A dragon's head is sculpted in relief on a bronze vase in front of Kien Trung Palace.

From the steps leading to the base of the Kien Trung Palace are pairs of exquisitely crafted dragon-horses.

The majestic, unique, exquisite, and colorful dragon head, crafted from ceramic, adorns the front of Kien Trung Palace.

The roofline of Kien Trung Palace is incomplete without majestic pairs of dragons.

Dragon imagery also appears on the octagonal roof in front of the Kien Trung Palace.

Dragon motifs can also be found in many places within the Hue Imperial Palace architecture, royal artifacts such as the entrance to the Imperial Citadel, the Quoc Tu Giam (National Academy) architectural relic, Phu Van Lau (Literary Pavilion), royal tombs, seals and swords, costumes and headwear… (the image shows a dragon on the gold and jade seals modeled after the Nguyen Dynasty seals currently displayed inside Thai Hoa Palace - Hue Imperial Citadel).

Source: https://tienphong.vn/vao-hoang-thanh-hue-chiem-nguong-tao-hinh-rong-doc-dao-post1611750.tpo