{"id":253,"date":"2021-05-03T08:09:55","date_gmt":"2021-05-03T08:09:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/vietnamese\/?p=253"},"modified":"2021-05-03T08:09:55","modified_gmt":"2021-05-03T08:09:55","slug":"vietnamese-sacred-animals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/vietnamese\/vietnamese-sacred-animals\/","title":{"rendered":"Vietnamese Sacred Animals"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Similar to other neighboring countries, especially China, animism and the belief in sacred, mythical animals has permeated deeply into the Vietnamese culture throughout its history. Even to the present day, one can find images of dragons, Chinese unicorns, turtles, and phoenixes in Vietnamese architecture, home interior design, fashion, sculpture, painting, literature, and more.<\/p>\n<p><strong>THE FOUR SACRED ANIMAL SET<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The most four popular sacred animals in the Vietnamese culture, often referred in a set called <em>b<\/em><em>\u1ed9 t\u1ee9 linh<\/em> (four sacred animal set) are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><em>Long<\/em> (dragon)<\/li>\n<li><em>Ly\/L\u00e2n <\/em>(Qilin or Chinese unicorn)<\/li>\n<li><em>Quy <\/em>(turtle)<\/li>\n<li><em>Ph\u1ee5ng<\/em> (phoenix)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol>\n<li><em>LONG<\/em><em>\/R\u1ed2NG<\/em><em>: Long<\/em> (Sino-Vietnamese word) or <em>r\u1ed3ng<\/em> (pure Vietnamese word), is a mythical animal, a product of imagination, combining body parts of various animals such as snake (body), lizard (thighs), hawk (claws), and fish (scale). According to ancient myth, the Vietnamese people are the descendants of the dragon and a fairy. They refer to themselves as <em>con r\u1ed3ng ch\u00e1u ti\u00ean<\/em> (children of a dragon, grandchildren of a fairy). The dragon represents the king, prosperity and power. In old times, the official outfit of the king always had the image of a dragon, called <em>long b\u00e0o<\/em> (the dragon dress). As a son of God, only the king had the privilege of wearing <em><em><em>long b\u00e0o.<br \/>\n<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/p>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_256\" style=\"width: 276px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone post-item__attachment\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-256\" class=\" wp-image-256\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/vietnamese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2021\/05\/vietnam-1235941_1920-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"266\" height=\"177\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/vietnamese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2021\/05\/vietnam-1235941_1920-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/vietnamese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2021\/05\/vietnam-1235941_1920-350x233.jpg 350w, https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/vietnamese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2021\/05\/vietnam-1235941_1920-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/vietnamese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2021\/05\/vietnam-1235941_1920-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/vietnamese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2021\/05\/vietnam-1235941_1920.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 266px) 100vw, 266px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-256\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image by falco from Pixabay<\/p><\/div><\/li>\n<li><em>LY<\/em><em>\/L\u00c2N<\/em><em>: L\u00e2n<\/em> or <em>k\u1ef3<\/em><em> l\u00e2n<\/em> also is a mythical animal, a product of imagination, with a head of the dragon and body of other animals. Similar to the dragon, the Chinese unicorn is a symbol of peace, wealth, and fortune. <em>K\u1ef3<\/em><em> l\u00e2n<\/em> is believed to have the power to guard the home, so a pair of <em>k\u1ef3<\/em><em> l\u00e2n<\/em>\u2019s statues are commonly found in front of the entry way to temples and large homes.\n<p><div id=\"attachment_260\" style=\"width: 288px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone post-item__attachment\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-260\" class=\" wp-image-260\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/vietnamese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2021\/05\/viet-nam-1093008_1920-1024x833.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"278\" height=\"226\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/vietnamese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2021\/05\/viet-nam-1093008_1920-1024x833.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/vietnamese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2021\/05\/viet-nam-1093008_1920-350x285.jpg 350w, https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/vietnamese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2021\/05\/viet-nam-1093008_1920-768x624.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/vietnamese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2021\/05\/viet-nam-1093008_1920-1536x1249.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/vietnamese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2021\/05\/viet-nam-1093008_1920.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 278px) 100vw, 278px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-260\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image by DEZALB from Pixabay<\/p><\/div><\/li>\n<li><em>QUY<\/em><em>\/R\u00d9A<\/em>: <em>Quy <\/em>(Sino-Vietnamese word) or <em>r\u00f9a<\/em> (pure Vietnamese word) is the only actual animal in <em>b<\/em><em>\u1ed9 t\u1ee9 linh<\/em>. A turtle has a long life and can survive without food for a long time. In Vietnamese belief, <em>r\u00f9a<\/em> is a symbol of longevity, strength, and wisdom. If you have a chance to visit H\u00e0 N\u1ed9i, the capital of Vietnam, stop by <em>\u0110\u1ec1n<\/em> <em>V\u0103n Mi\u1ebfu Qu\u1ed1c T\u1eed Gi\u00e1m<\/em> (Temple of Literature), which was built in the 12<sup>th<\/sup> century, during the L\u00fd Dynasty. There you will find eighty-two stone stele sculptures each with a base shaped like a turtle. Carved on the steles are the names and details of the doctoral graduates during the L\u00ea and M\u1ea1c Dynasties (1442-1779). These steles were inscribed on UNESCO\u2019s Memory of the World Register in 2011.\n<p><div id=\"attachment_261\" style=\"width: 352px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone post-item__attachment\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-261\" class=\" wp-image-261\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/vietnamese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2021\/05\/turtle-226289_1280-1024x680.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"342\" height=\"227\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/vietnamese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2021\/05\/turtle-226289_1280-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/vietnamese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2021\/05\/turtle-226289_1280-350x232.jpg 350w, https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/vietnamese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2021\/05\/turtle-226289_1280-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/vietnamese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2021\/05\/turtle-226289_1280.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 342px) 100vw, 342px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-261\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image by Martin Str from Pixabay<\/p><\/div><\/li>\n<li><em>PH\u1ee4NG<\/em><em>\/PH\u01af\u1ee2NG: Ph\u1ee5ng\/Ph\u01b0\u1ee3ng\/Ph\u01b0\u1ee3ng ho\u00e0ng<\/em> is a mythical bird which has the neck of a snake, fish scales, eagle claws, and a peacock tail. This bird is a symbol of peace, virtue, nobility, and grace. While the dragon is a <em>yang<\/em> element and represents the king, the phoenix is a <em>yin<\/em> element and represents the queen. The complementation of <em>yin<\/em> and <em>yang<\/em> in the pair of dragon-phoenix, represents happiness in marriage. Therefore, you often see the depiction of this pair in the decoration of a traditional Vietnamese wedding. The traditional wedding dress of the bride is often embroidered or painted with an image of the phoenix.\n<p><div id=\"attachment_262\" style=\"width: 176px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone post-item__attachment\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-262\" class=\" wp-image-262\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/vietnamese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2021\/05\/vietnam-1258574_1280-682x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"166\" height=\"249\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/vietnamese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2021\/05\/vietnam-1258574_1280-682x1024.jpg 682w, https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/vietnamese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2021\/05\/vietnam-1258574_1280-233x350.jpg 233w, https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/vietnamese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2021\/05\/vietnam-1258574_1280-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/vietnamese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2021\/05\/vietnam-1258574_1280.jpg 853w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 166px) 100vw, 166px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-262\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image by falco from Pixabay<\/p><\/div><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong>THE WHALE WORSHIP<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Unlike the popular four ancient mythical animals as mentioned above, <em>c<\/em><em>\u00e1 \u00d4ng<\/em>, also known as <em>c\u00e1<\/em><em> voi<\/em>, <em>c<\/em><em>\u00e1 heo<\/em>, <em>c<\/em><em>\u00e1 nh\u00e0 t\u00e1ng<\/em> (a whale, or any type of really big fish) is the particular sacred animal for the fishermen and people who live along the coast. In these fishing villages, people <em>th\u1edd C\u00e1 \u00d4ng<\/em> (worship the whale) believing <em>C\u00e1 \u00d4ng<\/em> keeps them safe from the storms at sea, and brings lots of fish to their nets. This whale worship became popular during the Nguy\u1ec5n Dynasty (1802-1945) and continues to the present day.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_282\" style=\"width: 326px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone post-item__attachment\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-282\" class=\" wp-image-282\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/vietnamese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2021\/05\/totem-1661487_640.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"316\" height=\"211\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/vietnamese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2021\/05\/totem-1661487_640.jpg 640w, https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/vietnamese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2021\/05\/totem-1661487_640-350x234.jpg 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 316px) 100vw, 316px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-282\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image by Cecil Law from Pixabay<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<img width=\"233\" height=\"350\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/vietnamese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2021\/05\/vietnam-1258574_1280-233x350.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/vietnamese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2021\/05\/vietnam-1258574_1280-233x350.jpg 233w, https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/vietnamese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2021\/05\/vietnam-1258574_1280-682x1024.jpg 682w, https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/vietnamese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2021\/05\/vietnam-1258574_1280-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/vietnamese\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2021\/05\/vietnam-1258574_1280.jpg 853w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 233px) 100vw, 233px\" \/><p>Similar to other neighboring countries, especially China, animism and the belief in sacred, mythical animals has permeated deeply into the Vietnamese culture throughout its history. Even to the present day, one can find images of dragons, Chinese unicorns, turtles, and phoenixes in Vietnamese architecture, home interior design, fashion, sculpture, painting, literature, and more. 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