Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Dao Cuong awarded the Certificate of Special National Relic of Thang Long Tu Tran (Four Sacred) of Bach Ma Temple to leaders and people of Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi
“Thang Long Tu Tran” is associated with the birth of Thang Long capital during the Ly Dynasty. Each Sacred is a place to worship one of the four gods guarding the four directions of the bloodline, protecting the ancient Thang Long and Hanoi Capital now, including Bach Ma, Voi Phuc, Kim Lien and Quan Thanh Temples. Bach Ma Temple is considered by folk to be the first of the four sacred, the place to worship the god Long Do, guarding the east of Thang Long citadel. Voi Phuc Temple in the west is the place to worship Linh Lang Dai Vuong. Kim Lien temple in the south is the place to worship Cao Son Dai Vuong and Quan Thanh town in the north is the place to worship Huyen Thien Tran Vu.
With that value of historical and cultural significance, on January 18, 2022, the Prime Minister signed Decision No. 93/QD-TTg to rank 12th special National Relics for 5 monuments across the country, including the historical and architectural monument of “Four Sacred,” including Bach Ma Temple (Hoan Kiem District), Voi Phuc Temple, Quan Thanh Temple (Ba Dinh District) and Kim Lien Temple (Dong Da District), Hanoi City.
The leaders of Hanoi City gifted flowers to congratulate the leaders and people of Hoan Kiem district
Bach Ma Temple was built in Tho Xuong district, Hoai Duc district, now at 76 Hang Buom street, Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi. According to the book named “Viet Dien u Linh Tap”, Bach Ma Temple was established when Cao Bien built Dai La citadel (866). When King Ly Thai To moved the capital to Thang Long (in 1010), the god helped the king to build the citadel after many failures. The Citadel was then named Thang Long. The following dynasties followed this tradition, conferring such God as Quang Loi Bach Ma, the supreme spirit of the highest class. Over a thousand years, the temple has been restored many times, but still retains the majestic landscape, rare ancient vestiges, and many precious artifacts of great historical value.
Bach Ma Temple still retains many valuable artifacts of late seventeenth century art style such as 18 ancient stone steles recording the repair of the temple, 17 ordinations granted by the Nguyen dynasty, and many precious objects of worship… In the temple, there is also a large wooden statue of a white horse, symbolizing the god Bach Ma and is processed on important occasions. The festival of the temple is held on the 12th and 13th day of the second lunar month every year, is a harmony between folk culture, beliefs and royal rituals, creating a unique feature.
Procession according to the traditional ritual of the people of Hoan Kiem district. Photo: The Duong
Speaking at the ceremony, Chairman of Hoan Kiem District People’s Committee Pham Tuan Long emphasized: Through the Ly, Tran, and Le dynasties with 52 kings settled in Thang Long, Bach Ma Temple is the place to witness the most complete process of formation and development of ancient Thang Long and Hanoi capital today. That Bach Ma temple relic and others in the four Sacred of Thang Long ranked as a special national relics once again affirms the typical historical and religious values of this relic complex in Hanoi capital.
As said by Mr. Long, “In the coming time, Hoan Kiem district will continue to focus on investing and mobilizing social resources for the preservation of cultural heritages, promoting cultural identity in a sustainable way, creating resources to build Hoan Kiem district’s tourism brand an identity, making Hoan Kiem an indispensable destination for domestic and international tourists; for Hanoi to become a cultural and creative center with a position on the tourist map of Vietnam and Southeast Asia./.
V.H