Worship of National Mother in Vinh Phuc recognised as national intangible cultural heritage

Earlier, the Ministry issued a decision on the the list of national intangible cultural heritages, including the worship of Tay Thien National Mother. Together with the worship of the Hung Kings, the legendary founders of the nation, and Tan Vien Son Thanh, the God of Tan Vien Mountain, the worship of Tay Thien National Mother is one of the three most ancient rituals in the north.

Legend has it that under the reign of the seventh Hung King in Dong Lo there was a rich man called Lang Vi. He was generous and handsome. His wife was Dao Thi Lieu, a beautiful, gentle, resourceful and benevolent woman. They were very rich but didn’t have a child, so they often visited holy sites to pray for a child. One day they visited Thach Ban peak in the Tam Dao mountains and prayed for a child at a pagoda.

After the third time, Lieu had a dream in which she saw a five-coloured mass of clouds covering the pagoda and releasing a scent. In the middle of the clouds appeared an eagle and then a group of beautiful fairies playing lutes, singing and dancing. Lieu suddenly woke up from the dream which she believed was good luck, and indeed she became pregnant. She gave birth on the 10th day of the fifth lunar month of the year of Giap Than, and named her child Lang Thi Tieu.

Tay Thien Festival is held from the 15th to 17th day of the second lunar month. Due to the impact of the Covid-19, it will not be held this year./.