AN INSIGHT OF TIGER – A CREATURE ANIMAL IN VĂN MIẾU – QUỐC TỬ GIÁM
Tiger symbolizing ascendancy and power and noble character, implying much significance in Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám.
In the culture of Vietnam, tiger’s appeareance was brimful of vitality and health in historical monument and real life that was a reason why the tiger, being called symbol of braveness, being the first lunar month of the new year. In the Vietnamese folk religion, the tiger representing for the goddness of protection worshipped by the people. The tiger was a special subject of folk paintings, scupture in the holy places…
The tiger decorated in the embossment of “Mãnh hổ hạ sơn” in Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám, showed the characteristic of it, went off the mountain. The tiger in the embossment of “Mãnh hổ hạ sơn” representing for the talented and virtuous scholar aspiring to contribute mental power to a nation.
The tiger appearing on the stone stele for exams in 1604, showing an act of moving tiger’s body parts truthfully lively.
The tiger, belonging to motif “blue dragon – white tiger” at the bottom the stone stele’s edging for exam in 1643, presenting for protection.
The feature of the tiger showing on the stone stele’s edging for exam in 1650. The posture of tiger representing fierceness and power of Lord of the forest..
he tiger meaning from the culture of Vietnam, being stylized and likened to scholar in Văn Miếu – Quốc Tử Giám aspiring to contribute mental power to a nation.
The lunar year 2022 is the year of the Tiger, the third among 12 animals in the Vietnamese Zodiac sequence. In 2022, aspiration for peace and solidarity and creation, being motive powers, helping the people to overcome epidemic, reaching development and happiness.
Translator BP
