Preserving and spreading the value of unique worship paintings

Special exhibition room "Collection of ancient worship paintings and cultural artifacts donated by the Ha Dong group of scholars to Hoa Binh province".

The special exhibition room "Collection of ancient worship paintings and cultural artifacts donated by the Ha Dong group of scholars to Hoa Binh province" is located on the 2nd floor of the Museum. Worship paintings are a special type of painting, closely associated with rituals and beliefs. Each painting has a sacred meaning, expressing people's spiritual beliefs. In the Collection currently preserved by the Museum, there are many typical works such as: Quan Thuyen paintings of the Dao people associated with the story of Ban Vuong - the ancestor of the Dao people, expressing the desire to overcome hardships to seek a new life; Quan Am Bodhisattva paintings of the Tay, Nung, San Diu people symbolizing the belief in salvation, the intersection between Buddhism and Taoism; or Thap Dien Diem Vuong paintings - a unique set of paintings recreating the journey of judging souls according to the theory of reincarnation.

The content and value of the displayed collection consists of three main parts: Introduction to paintings used in ancestor worship and family guardian gods; introduction to paintings used in ordination and promotion ceremonies; and introduction to paintings used in funerals and important ceremonies after a person passes away.

Preserving and spreading the value of unique worship paintings

Staff of Hung Vuong Museum, facility 3, discuss the set of worship paintings

Ms. Bui Tran Bao Thi - Museum guide added: “The most unique point of the collection is the diversity in its functions. There are paintings used to worship ancestors, paintings associated with the Dao people's coming-of-age ceremony, and paintings dedicated to funeral rites. Thanks to that, visitors can imagine a vivid cosmology, where humans - gods - ancestors are closely connected. In particular, the colors in the paintings are often warm, with many shades of red, blue, and yellow, expressing sacredness and eternity.”

Preserving and spreading the value of unique worship paintings

Unique worship paintings on display at the Museum

Another highlight is the series of paintings of the Twelve Flower Bridges of the San Diu ethnic group, used in the ritual of worshiping the Goddess for newborn babies. The painting is like a visual epic about the process of human formation and growth through 12 bridges, each bridge is a challenge that requires the protection of the gods. The details are both familiar and mysterious, making viewers emotional and more appreciative of the cultural traditions of the community.

Preserving and spreading the value of unique worship paintings

The worship paintings are preserved intact in value.

Mr. Nguyen Van Dung, a resident of Cao Phong commune, shared after visiting: “This is the first time I have seen with my own eyes so many ethnic worship paintings preserved intact. Each painting is not only beautiful in lines and colors but also contains the beliefs, customs and spirituality of the people. I am really impressed with the diversity, richness and historical - cultural value that the paintings bring.”

According to comrade Nguyen Thi Hai Ly - Deputy Director of Hung Vuong Museum, Facility 3, the current collection of worship paintings is considered one of the unique, large-scale and valuable collections, preserving many different types and styles of expression. Each worship painting not only reflects the religious life but is also a vivid testament to the artistic creativity of our ancestors. This is a valuable source of material for studying culture, religion, and folk art. The collection of paintings helps today's and future generations understand more deeply the relationship between humans and the supernatural world , and the philosophy of life of ethnic groups.

Preserving and spreading the value of unique worship paintings

A set of worship paintings and many cultural artifacts are displayed at the Museum.

Recently, Hung Vuong Museum, branch 3, has been implementing many solutions to preserve and promote the value of the collection, such as building a specialized exhibition space, organizing experiential activities, and in-depth explanations for visitors; at the same time, coordinating with researchers and artisans to translate and compile scientific documents on worship paintings.

In addition, the Museum also promotes the digitization of artifacts to bring heritage values closer to the public, especially the young generation. Not only stopping at displaying, the Museum aims to build an experiential education program so that students can learn directly about the art of worship paintings and better understand folk beliefs. This is also a way to spread pride and love for heritage in the community.

The collection of worship paintings at Hung Vuong Museum, Campus 3, is considered unique, due to its richness in both quantity and content, ranging from ancestor worship, funerals, ordination ceremonies to other important rituals. The appearance of divine characters, Buddhas, saints... in the paintings reflects people's beliefs and aspirations for a peaceful and happy life. Beyond the artistic value, the collection of paintings also contributes to affirming the diversity of Vietnamese culture, in which folk beliefs and religions play an important role in connecting the community. Each painting, despite the passage of time, still contains the "soul" of the past, the thread connecting today with tradition.

It can be said that the collection of worship paintings at Hung Vuong Museum, Campus 3, is not only a valuable asset of the locality but also a common pride of the national culture. In the midst of modern life, the collection of paintings is a reminder for everyone to cherish, preserve and continue the heritage left by their ancestors, so that the flow of Vietnamese culture will last forever.

Huong Lan

Source: https://baophutho.vn/giu-gin-va-lan-toa-gia-tri-tranh-tho-doc-ban-239708.htm