Phu Tay Ho

52 P. Đặng Thai Mai, Quảng An, Tây Hồ, Hà Nội, Vietnam

Now Open

Description

According to legend, Phu Tay Ho, a shrine in Vietnam’s capital Hanoi dedicated to Princess Lieu Hanh, was constructed around the 17th century.

The temple is located at 52 Dang Thai Mai street, Quang An ward, Tay Ho district, Hanoi, on the enormous peninsula of Nghi Tam village, which protrudes in the midst of West Lake. According to folklore, the palace was constructed between the 16th and 17th centuries, or possibly later. Because this monument is not mentioned in early 20th-century books about the remnants of Thang Long – Ancient Hanoi, such as Thang Long fairy story, Long Bien Bach Nhi bay, Tay Ho Chi, Ha Thanh ancient relic, etc.

The Ministry of Culture (now the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism) designated Phu Tay Ho as a historical and cultural relic on February 13, 1996. In addition, there is an ancient si tree in the courtyard that has been designated a “Vietnamese historic tree,” and close to the palace is a temple dedicated to the Golden Buffalo, according to mythology.

Today, Phu Tay Ho celebrates on the third day of the third lunar month and the thirteenth day of the eighth lunar month.

Architecture of Tay Ho Temple

The architecture of the Tay Ho Temple, including its gates, is three-dimensional. The most space is devoted to the main altar in the Tay Ho temple complex.

The entrance features a two-story, three-door gate. The central roof features a distich titled “Tay Ho Hien Tich” that was elaborately adorned. Four middle doors were carved with the symbols of the four seasons (“tu quy”), four noble animals (“tu linh”), and a peach-shaped symbol of longevity. Crossing the three-sided gate is the eight-tiered Fang pavilion “phuong dinh” with two eaves. The place of worship was constructed adjacent to the “phuong dinh.” Adjacent to the hall, the Son Trang Shrine (mountain manor) was constructed with three floors and eight curved, progressive eave layers.

Inside, the floor was slightly elevated for Guanyin worship, while the remainder was divided into three compartments representing three caverns.

Outside, in the temple’s courtyard, are two modest shrines dedicated to Co (young lady) and Cau (young boys).

The Tay Ho temple is filled with 19th-century artifacts, including panels and murals on the doors, a votive plaque, a royal seat, and an altar.

The most remarkable features of the Tay Ho temple are three goddess sculptures arranged side by side. Thuong Ngan Mother is wearing green clothing to represent the forest, Thuy Mother is wearing white clothing to represent water, and Dia Mother is wearing yellow clothing to represent the soil. Three Kingdoms explains the evolution of the Vietnamese people from forests, mountains, and rivers to the plains through these three instances.

Also according to the Three Kingdoms concept, the government of Thuong Ngan has the blessing of human welfare, the governor of Dia has a place to erase human sins, and the government of Thuy has the customs to eliminate all impediments and trouble for humans. With the power of mystic blessing, amnesty, and powerful relief, the religion of the Three Kingdoms appeals to so many individuals.

History of Tay Ho Temple

Tay Ho Temple, constructed in the 17th century, is located in Tay Ho hamlet, which was previously an old village of Thang Long citadel and is presently located in Quang An ward, Tay Ho district, Hanoi. It is located in the town of Nghi Tam, which protrudes into the middle of West Lake, approximately 4 kilometers west of the capital city.

Tay Ho Temple worships Goddess Lieu Hanh (Mother Lieu Hanh or Mother of the Nation). Lieu Hanh is one of Vietnam’s four immortals. Mother Lieu Hanh is Quynh Hoa, a princess of heaven exiled to earth for shattering a valuable glass. She went and investigated numerous locations on earth before stopping to Tay Ho Island and discovering this wonderful location. In the midst of the unknown wilderness, she then opened a tiny booth for her literary amusement.

She had a great deal of merit for assisting people from various regions to settle down, removing spirits, and punishing corrupt officials.

According to mythology, Tay Ho Temple was where Lieu Hanh and scholar Phung Khac Khoan (also known as “Trang Bung”) met for the second time. Poinsettia Phung Khac Khoan went on a boat ride on the lake, observed the magnificent environment, and then met Princess Lieu Hanh, as was predestined. Together, they composed the enduring poetry “Tay Ho Ngu Quan” (West Lake Senses).

No one knows how long Princess Lieu Hanh remained there; all we know is that when Phung Khac Khoan returned to find her, he was unable to locate her. To alleviate her sentimentality, he constructed a temple for her. This is the fascinating history of Tay Ho Temple.