Besides, Mac dynasty marked the diversity of the phoenix images in the architectural works. The image of phoenix at Lo Hanh communal house was carefully carved on woods with long beak, round eyes, backward hair, chubby body and long legs.

The phoenix stands on spiral clouds with flying thin swords symbolizing saints, universe and justice in which its eyes represent the sun and the moon, its back is carrying the sky, its wings symbol the wind, its tail represents the stars, its feather is plants and grass and its legs represent the earth. The image of phoenix at Lo Hanh communal house with flying swords bears super power to call for happiness representing the wish for rain and bumper crops by the wet rice cultivators.

The carving features of phoenix at Lo Hanh communal house embody the free artistic spirit with a desire to go beyond the shapes and sizes to merge into the folk cultural features.

The image of flamingos was found at Lo Hanh communal house for the first time. The flamingos standing firmly have the same features with those of following periods. In addition, a number of little birds pecking the qilin are also found on some carvings at Lo Hanh communal house.

The carving at Lo Hanh communal house

As the carving of qilin at Lo Hanh communal house is symbol of the super power, intelligence and purity, it is believed to control the soul of the pilgrims. The image of two qilins beside the sun at Lo Hanh communal house bears the folk features with tall and well-built body and sitting style like a dog.

Tiger symbolizes the power of the earth. The carving of tiger at Lo Hanh communal house is also a work of folk art with high value. The tiger is in the position of movement and silence. The image is in leaning layout but the tiger’s face seems to look forward while its tail is squeezed upward. Its strong body embodies the hidden power not the fierceness. The curves on its belly, back and tails represent gentleness, flexibility and harmony.

Ancient people believed that tiger governed the earth had power to exorcize, thus it often appears on the front face of the painting in the communal houses and temples. Tiger is not included in the mascots of the super power, thus, its image carved on one piece of wood at Lo Hanh communal house is still a question mark for the researchers.

Book on Vietnamese communal house architecture published

The Institute for the Conservation of Monuments (ICM) under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on August 9 introduced a book named ‘Vietnamese communal house architecture through ICM’s documents, the first volume’.

 

Communal house worships three patriarchs of Truc Lam Sect

(BGO) - Dong Loan communal house in Dong Thuong village, Lang Son commune, Yen Dung district is one of a few local communal houses dedicated to three Patriarchs, which marks the development history of Yen Tu Truc Lam Buddhism from the Tran dynasty. The communal house becomes unique thanks to its dedication to Tran Nhan Tong, Phap Loa and Huyen Quang.

 

Lac Yen communal house – pre-uprising revolutionary base

(BGO) – Lac Yen communal house in Hoang Van commune, which is located in the ATK II (Safe Zone II) relic complex in Hiep Hoa district, Bac Giang province, is the place that witnessed a lot of historical events of the nation in the period before the success of the national liberation revolution.

 

Sculptures displayed in HCM City park

Forty-two sculptures in the themes of youth and love are on display at an exhibition in HCM City’s Van Thanh Tourist Park.

 

Taiwanese artist creates mini dog sculptures for Lunar New Year

Chen Forng-Shean, who has been carving Chinese zodiac animals for 20 years, has created 1mm-long minuscule sculptures of dogs for the upcoming Year of the Dog.

 

Dong Ngoc Duong