Introduction
Hoa Lu Tu Tran are four gods guarding the east, west, south, and north directions of the ancient capital of Hoa Lu in Ninh Binh folk beliefs. Those four gods are Than Thien Ton, Than Cao Son, Than Quy Minh, and Than Khong Lo. Legend has it that these gods helped and protected Hoa Lu’s capital, so King Dinh Tien Hoang built temples at the four gateways. People of the ancient capital continue to worship these gods at 111 relics in Ninh Binh province. Thanks to that, it creates a unique cultural and religious space in Ninh Binh. Let’s learn about the gods in Hoa Lu Tu Tran with Ninh Binh Private Car.
The Formation Process of Hoa Lu Tu Tran
The Myth About the Four Gods in Hoa Lu Tu Tran
After thousands of years of living under the protection of the mountains and forests, the Trang An people have witnessed many natural changes. When science was not yet developed, strange phenomena from the mountains and forests caused unexplained surprise and amazement. They continue to be passed down from generation to generation, refined, sacred and worshiped according to god-worshiping beliefs.
From there appeared gods and supernatural characters, but close to them. Therefore, a series of legends appeared about mountain gods transforming into generals who helped the people protect the country and were deified.
In particular, there are legends about Than Cao Son finding a tree containing rice flour to help people when hungry. Than Khong Lo created rivers and mountains, later reincarnated as the talented and virtuous Nguyen Minh Khong, who built Bai Dinh Pagoda to cure diseases and save people. Many legends surround him, such as chanting a spell to make strange birds fall to the ground and taking off his hat to make a boat cross the river.
Than Thien Ton eliminated demons and evil spirits from Gian Khau to Canh Dieu Mountain. Finally, the God Quy Minh presides over the Trang An mountains, helping people build houses and dig lakes. Since then, the stories have been circulating until today. Becoming one of the inseparable cultural features of the Ninh Binh people.
The Contributions Of Kinh Dinh Tien Hoang
The ancient capital, Hoa Lu, had an east citadel, a west citadel, and a south citadel. The southern citadel (also known as Trang An) is a dangerous mountainous area that is the base for withdrawing troops. Emperor Dinh Tien was a devout Buddhist. Since childhood, his mother has let him live at the Cao Son temple in Hoa Lu cave.
Later, the King built many pagodas, towers, and temples in Hoa Lu capital to worship gods and saints according to folk beliefs. For example, the temple of the Quy Minh god is at the southern gate, the Cao Son god temple is at the west gate, the Thien Ton god temple is at the east gate, and the Giant god temple is at the north gate. Over the ages, the number of temples worshiping the above gods has increased greatly and spread throughout Ninh Binh province.
Distribution of the Relics of the Gods
Today, in Ninh Binh, many temples worship the above four gods, concentrated around the ancient capital of Hoa Lu in four directions: east, west, south, and north.
West direction – Than Cao Son
The land of Nho Quan-Tam Diep is the western gateway to the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, notable for its temples worshiping the mountain god Cao Son. Many temples worship this God here, such as the Lao temple (Van Phu, Nho Quan) and Son Than temple (Gia Thuy – Nho Quan). Cao Son Temple (Bai Dinh Pagoda mountain area), Huong Thinh communal house (Phu Loc, Nho Quan), and many other temples exist.
South direction – Than Quy Minh
The western region of Ninh Binh City was originally the southern gateway to the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, where the worship of the God Quy Minh was mainly built. These include Noi Lam Temple (Ninh Hai, Hoa Lu), Duong Khe Temple, Do Temple (Ninh Nhat, Ninh Binh City), Dau Long Pagoda (Tan Thanh, Ninh Binh City), Hiem Temple (Phuc Thanh, Ninh Binh City), Thien Trao Village Temple (Ninh Son, Ninh Binh City), Phuc Tri Village Temple (Nam Thanh, Ninh Binh City), Mieu Son Temple (Ninh Van, Hoa Lu), Quang Phuc (Yen Phong, Yen Mo), and Goi Dai Temple (Ninh Hai, Hoa Lu).
North direction – Saint Nguyen
Saint Nguyen in Hoa Lu Tu Tran, whose name is Nguyen Minh Khong, is said to be the incarnation of the God Khong Lo. The land of Gia Vien, located north of the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, is the hometown and home to many relics worshiping Saint Nguyen. There is also a temple worshiping Saint Nguyen (Gia Thang – Gia Tien, Gia Vien), Ngo Dong communal house (Gia Phu, Gia Vien), Hoa Lu cave relic area (Gia Hung, Gia Vien).
The special thing about Gia Vien is that two pagodas in Gia Vien have temples that worship Nguyen Minh Khong, who founded the pagoda: Bai Dinh Pagoda Mountain and Dich Long Pagoda. Many other pagodas in Ninh Binh have legends about him, such as Nhat Tru Pagoda, Am Tien cave in Hoa Lu ancient capital, Non Nuoc Pagoda in Non Nuoc Mountain (Ninh Binh city), and Lac Khoai Pagoda (Gia Lac, Gia Vien).
East direction – God Thien Ton
In the east of Hoa Lu district and Ninh Binh City, there are many places with vestiges and legends related to the God Thien Ton. These include Thien Ton Cave (Thien Ton Town, Hoa Lu) and Canh Dieu Mountain (Thanh Binh, Ninh Binh). Thien Ton Cave is where the god practices and Canh Dieu Mountain is where God often appears to support people.
Thang Long Tu Tran consists of 4 temples, while Hoa Lu Tu Tran refers to 4 gods guarding the four directions of the capital. Researchers have counted 111 relics worshiping the four Hoa Lu Tu Tran gods, including 11 places worshiping Thien Ton, 31 worshiping Quy Minh, 42 worshiping Cao Son, and 27 worshiping Saint Nguyen in the ancient capital of Hoa Lu.
Hoa Lu Tu Tran also has similarities with Thang Long Tu Tran. That is precisely the objects worshiped in these cultural regions. Both places worship three gods and one saint. Gods symbolize the power of nature; saints are real historical figures with extraordinary merits whom the people canonized.
Hoa Lu Tu Tran’s Gods
God Thien Ton – Guardian of the East
God Thien Ton was a legendary god in the capital of Hoa Lu in the 10th century. Legend has it that before Dinh Bo Linh led his army to quell the rebellion, 12 warlords offered sacrifices at the temple of God Thien Ton. After ascending the throne, he expanded the temple of God Thien Ton.
According to stories of the gods Thien Ton in Bich Dao village and Dai Phong village, she was born to a queen who dreamed of swallowing the sun. The Queen was born on March 3, 625. After growing up, she had more strength than others and loved to travel the world. I decided to go to Dung Duong Mountain in Hoa Lu to practice for 42 years.
After completion, God will have extraordinary power, eliminate disasters, help people, and save everyone. God Thien Ton is said to be the one who used a bow and arrow to wound the Chinese general Cao Bien seriously. He was riding the kite when God Thien Ton destroyed it, and the kite fell down a mountain. So people call that mountain Canh Dieu Mountain.
God Cao Son – Guardian of the West
Than Cao Son of Hoa Lu Tu Tran was the 17th son of Lac Long Quan, also known as Lac Tuong Vu Lam. Under the direction of the first Hung King, who patrolled from Nam Linh to the Thien Duong region, he found a type of flour used to make cakes instead of rice flour. It is a powder made from the stem of a tree; God named it the Quang Lang tree.
God Cao Son taught local people how to make a living and, at the same time, protected them from evil forces, so the people built a temple.
God Quy Minh – Guardian of the South
According to the folk legend of the ancient capital Hoa Lu, Than Quy Minh in Hoa Lu Tu Tran is a water god. And was the protector of the southern land, Trang An, under the reign of the 18th Hung King, King Hung Due Vuong.
He is a “superior god,” ordained by kings through many dynasties and worshiped by people throughout this country. The main temple was built by King Dinh Tien Hoang at Nam Citadel (Trang An) in the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, then rebuilt by King Tran Thai Tong on the scale it is today.
God Khong Lo – Guardian of the North
The legendary God Khong Lo from the Dinh Dynasty, the last God in Hoa Lu Tu Tran, built mountains and dug rivers to create nature, heaven and earth, and landscapes. During the Ly Dynasty, the historical figure Nguyen Minh Khong reincarnated as a God. People revere him as a saint because of his many contributions to the Ly Dynasty and its people and for founding numerous pagodas in the ancient capital of Hoa Lu.
Anecdotes about Saint Nguyen mix and integrate with the God Khong Lo in the Ninh Binh legend. According to legend, he could travel and fly in the air, creating mountains, caves, and lakes.
Ly Quoc Su’s real name is Nguyen Chi Thanh, born in Dam Xa commune, Trang An district (Gia Thang commune, Gia Vien, Ninh Binh). When he attained enlightenment, he returned to his hometown and built many pagodas, such as Vien Quang Pagoda, Dich Long Pagoda, Am Tien Pagoda, and Bai Dinh Pagoda, to practice.
Conclusion
Today, stories associated with Hoa Lu Tu Tran are still handed down and worshiped. This has become a beautiful cultural feature of the people of Ninh Binh and has enriched the land’s cultural and historical heritage. Every year, festivals and offerings take place at temples to the gods to commemorate them. Some festivals include Thien Ton Cave Festival, Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Festival, Tran Temple Festival, and Bai Dinh Pagoda Festival. So tourists can try to visit the famous temples of the gods in Hoa Lu Tu Tran and listen to historical stories. Ninh Binh Private Car wishes you a wonderful discovery when visiting Hoa Lu Tu Tran.