540 years ago, the first doctoral steles were erected by King Le Thanh Tong in 1484 to honor scholars who passed the imperial examinations. Today, 82 steles remain, commemorating 1,304 doctoral laureates at the Temple of Literature.
This rich repository of historical, cultural, social, and educational records from Vietnam's feudal period also serves as an artistic treasure. The intricate dragon carvings on the steles, crafted by skilled artisans of the past, convey many symbolic messages.
Modern designers have drawn inspiration from these detailed dragon motifs, such as "Dragon in the Clouds," "Dragon Amidst the Galaxy," and "Meeting the Dragon Gate," to create contemporary display designs.
The exhibition aims to preserve and highlight the cultural and historical values of Vietnam, offering visitors surprising discoveries about the aesthetic qualities of these stone records of scholarly tradition.
The display is carefully crafted to respect the original lines on the doctoral steles. The varied and stylisticrepresentation of dragon motifs encapsulates rich cultural values, showcasing the exceptional skill and dedication of the stone carvers who created these impressive sculptures.
The special exhibition "The Dragon Imagery on Doctoral Steles" runs until August 26 at the Temple of Literature./.
