What is the significance of the Ly Dynasty phoenix head, which has just been recognized as a National Treasure, in Dai Viet architecture?

What is the significance of the Ly Dynasty phoenix head, which has just been recognized as a National Treasure, in Dai Viet architecture?

The Ly Dynasty phoenix head is an original, unique artifact.

Among the 33 newly recognized National Treasures, there is a very special artifact associated with the Ly Dynasty, which is the Phoenix Head dating from the 11th-12th century, currently kept at the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long - Hanoi .

Collection of Phoenix Heads dating back to the 11th-12th century currently kept at Thang Long Imperial Citadel - Hanoi. Photo: HTTL

A representative of Thang Long Imperial Citadel said that the collection of Ly Dynasty phoenix heads that has just been recognized as National Treasures are round statues of various sizes. The phoenix heads represent phoenixes in a moving position. The mane moves strongly with many curves, facing forward.

Long beak, wide cheeks, slanted, forward-pointing crest. Large, round, prominent eyes, long, upward-pointing eyebrows; large, wide ears that curve with the movement of the crest and mane.

The Phoenix Head of Thang Long Citadel is made of baked clay, the fine clay bones show that the clay used as raw material was carefully fermented and processed before being molded. All the patterns were carved by hand.

The Ly Dynasty Phoenix Head Collection in Thang Long Imperial Citadel are typical and unique artifacts discovered underground in the archaeological site at 18 Hoang Dieu in the central area of ​​Thang Long Imperial Citadel during the Ly and Tran dynasties. All artifacts were discovered in locations with stable stratigraphy, not disturbed by later periods.

Accordingly, in the area of ​​18 Hoang Dieu, a large-scale Ly Dynasty architectural system was discovered, interconnected to form a closed complex. This Ly Dynasty architectural system was restored, repaired and continued to be used during the Tran Dynasty.

Roof morphology of the Ly Dynasty Palace. Photo: HTTL

Depending on the role and position of each architectural work, it is decorated differently. Important architectural works are decorated very elaborately and sophisticatedly, especially the architectural roof.

Studies also show that the decoration on the roofs of Ly and Tran dynasties is very elaborate with many different elements. The basic decorative elements on the roofs of Ly and Tran dynasties often include: balanced Bodhi leaves in the middle of the roof, dragon/phoenix heads, offset Bodhi leaves...

The phoenix heads in this collection, found together with other relics, are one of the important evidences that help researchers identify the architectural roofs of the Ly and Tran dynasties. Therefore, the collection of phoenix heads discovered at the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long is not only an original artifact but also an important document of value for the study of architectural art and sculpture of the Ly dynasty in the 11th - 12th centuries.

The Phoenix Head Collection represents the symbolic value of the architectural history of Dai Viet during the Ly Dynasty.

According to experts of Thang Long Imperial Citadel, phoenix and dragon are symbols of royalty, in which phoenix is ​​often associated with the queen. The image of the phoenix - dragon couple represents perfect happiness. With such symbolic meanings, the use of phoenix images to decorate architecture during the Ly and Tran dynasties seems to also reflect the existence and harmony of Buddhism and Confucianism, between theocracy and secular power in art and sculpture during the Ly - Tran dynasties.

Close-up of the Ly Dynasty phoenix head found at the excavation site at 18 Hoang Dieu, Hanoi. Photo: HTTL

Although absorbing the important symbolic meanings of the phoenix image from China, the shape and structure of the phoenix of the Ly Dynasty in general and the Collection of Phoenix Heads of Thang Long of the Ly Dynasty discovered at Thang Long Imperial Citadel in particular have differences compared to the phoenix images of other countries.

Comparing the phoenix heads of the Ly Dynasty with the phoenix heads of the Tran and Ho Dynasties that followed, there are many differences. The phoenix heads of the Ly Dynasty and the phoenix heads of the Tran Dynasty often have similar structures, but in detail, the decorative motifs on the phoenix heads of the Ly Dynasty are made more meticulously and carefully.

The motifs are often carved directly in one piece while the motifs on the phoenix head of the Tran Dynasty tend to be more and more simplified. The phoenix head from the late Tran Dynasty to the Ho Dynasty has changes in both structure and construction techniques, the body is often elongated; the statue is a hollow block to reduce the weight of the phoenix head, the pattern details on the head are drawn and drawn instead of being carved in detail like the phoenix head of the Ly Dynasty and early Tran Dynasty. That creates the unique feature of Ly Dynasty art.

Source: https://danviet.vn/dau-phuong-thoi-ly-vua-duoc-cong-nhan-bao-vat-quoc-gia-mang-y-nghia-gi-trong-kien-truc-dai-viet-20250103180035047-d1203877.html