Nghe - Vietnamese traditional sacred animal in the spotlight
Images and stories of the nghe (a sacred and mythical animal in Vietnamese traditional culture) are currently on display at the capital city’s Temple of Literature, highlighting the important role of this symbol in the history and culture of the country.
A statue of a nghe displayed at the exhibition (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - Images and stories of the nghe (a sacredand mythical animal in Vietnamese traditional culture) are 🌠curꦦrently on displayat the capital city’s Temple of Literature, highlighting the important role ofthis symbol in the history and culture of the country.
The exhibition features 200 photos and documents of the sacred animal whichhas a lion’s head, a long tail and a dog-like body, that guards temples andcommunal houses.
The show helps promote the unique features of the traditional art of Vietnamthat has been preserved in the community for centuries. It also aims to raiseawareness of the sacred symbol while comparing it with other sacred animalsfrom China, Japan and Korea – countries with similar culture and religion to Vietnam.
The exhibition identifies the mythical animal; its appearance at royalpalaces, pagodas, temples, communal houses; and statues of nghe createdrecently by modern artisans.
“The exhibition is the result of cooperation between many individuals andorganisations to bring a panoramic and authentic view of nghe, theVietnamese sacred symbol,” said Le✱ Xuan Kieu, director of the Temple o🍸fLiterature’s Culture and Science Centre.
Nghe statues we🐈re used widely in the past with various facialexpressions – happy, joyful, faithful, respectful and serious. It reflects therichness of traditional Vietnamese culture as well as the skill of tꦿhecraftsmen.
But due to the domination of foreign symbols, many people nowadays do not knowmuch about the nghe and confuse it with other mascots.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued regulation No 2662 in2014 that bans foreign-style symbols, sculptures and worship objects unsuitablefor Vietnamese culture.
Since then, organisations, experts and authorities actively worked torestore the nghe to its worthy and sacred position. The exhibitionwill run until February 🤪15, next year at the Temple of Literature.-VNA
An exhibition themed Vietnamese Sacred Animals is showcasing over 200 images and objects in Hanoi to mark the Vietnam Cultural Heritage Day (November 23).
Statues of traditional sacred animals guarding the gates of temples, pagodas and relics are gradually replacing fiercer looking animals designed in China, but made in Vietnam.
Some 200 images and artifacts related to “Nghe” – a sacred animal in the ancient culture of Vietnam – are on display at an exhibition that opened in the central city of Da Nang on August 15.
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A statue of a nghe displayed at the exhibition (Photo: VNA) 
