The temple was built in 1010 and renovated to its current appearance in 1893. The outermost gate was being renovated at the time of visit. There must be constant and careful maintenance as the 1000 year old temple is in great condition!
the temple is bedecked with intricate gilt wooden carvings and plaques of ancient texts in mother-of-pearl; incredibly beautiful but very overwhelming...there's just too much to look at!
this 1.15 m bronze bell is an example of the virtuosity of Vietnamese bronze casting and sculpture in the 17th century
The image of cranes standing on tortoises is a common one in (non-Buddhist) temples; both are symbols of longevity, as the tortoise is believed to live ten thousand years, and the crane one thousand years. Together they symbolise the wish "May you be remembered for one thousand years, and may your cult endure for ten thousand years"
Tran Vu is widely worshipped in China and Vietnam, but the legends surrounding this mythical figure differ considerably. Tran Vu is considered the guardian spirit of Vietnam.
This huge black bronze Tran Vu statue was offered to the temple in 1667; it's 3.96m high, 3.48m in perimeter and weighs 3,600kg!!
amazingly detailed dragon on a large panel in-laid with mother-of-pearl
bats! a symbol of good fortune, happiness and luck
I wish I had a guide like the French visitors I saw, because there was so much to look at in this temple, but I didn't understand a thing as there were no english explanations. Luckily, an old temple staff seemed really pleased by our appreciation of the mother-of-pearl panel, he kept smiling at us, then he beckoned us outside to the stunning wooden carving featured below...which I had missed! It was so lovely of him, and he looked so proud as well :)
This looks like a portrayal of Taoist deities in the heavanly realm, sadly I can't find any confirmation...
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