The sacred death anniversary of Holy Mother Lieu Hanh

Attending the ceremony were representatives of Vinh city leaders, the Department of Culture & Sports and many local people. Photo: Thanh Cuong

According to Vietnamese folklore, Holy Mother Lieu Hanh is one of the Four Immortals. Holy Mother is the daughter of the Jade Emperor, who descended to earth three times to help the people and the country. The Holy Mother was granted many royal decrees by feudal dynasties from the Le to the Nguyen dynasties, honored as "Mother of the World" and was worshipped and honored by people all over the country.

Mr. Dau Vinh Thinh - Vice Chairman of Vinh City People's Committee beat the drum to open the ceremony. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Ceremony to worship Holy Mother Lieu Hanh. Photo: Thanh Cuong

The annual death anniversary of the Holy Mother is held on the 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month at Hong Son Temple. This is a special cultural and spiritual activity of the people of Vinh city towards the nation's roots; at the same time, it is also an occasion to remind the descendants of today and future generations to be deeply grateful to the ancestors who have contributed to building and defending the country.

Performing a spirit medium act - an important ritual of the Mother Goddess religion at the death anniversary ceremony. Photo: Thanh Cuong

At Duc Son Temple, also known as the Holy Mother Temple in Bac Son hamlet, Van Dien commune, Nam Dan district, this year's Mother's death anniversary took place in a solemn and respectful atmosphere. The death anniversary includes a proclamation ceremony (night of the 2nd) and a grand ceremony (morning of the 3rd) organized by the People's Committee of Van Dien commune. The officiating ceremony is performed by women in traditional costumes who perform incense offering, flower offering, and worshiping rituals according to local customs.

From early morning, people brought offerings to the Mother Goddess Temple. Photo: Huy Thu

At Ba Chua Temple - a provincial-level historical and cultural relic in hamlet 3, Thanh Dong commune, Thanh Chuong district, the Mother Goddess's death anniversary begins on the morning of the 2nd day of the 3rd lunar month with the opening ceremony, followed by the announcement ceremony (in the afternoon); on the morning of the 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month, the grand ceremony is held.

From early morning, many local people respectfully brought offerings to arrange neatly on the altars in the temple. The Mother Goddess's death anniversary at Ba Chua Temple is considered an important local festival.

A unique chicken of the people offering at Ba Chua Temple (Thanh Chuong). Photo: Huy Thu

On this occasion, not only Duc Son Temple and Ba Chua Temple, but also many other temples and shrines in the province such as Con Temple (Hoang Mai Town), Ong Hoang Muoi Temple (Hung Nguyen), Nha Ba Palace (Thanh Chuong)... solemnly held the Mother Goddess death anniversary ceremony. For a long time, the Mother Goddess death anniversary ceremony has become a beautiful feature in the traditional culture of the nation.

Offering sacrifices at the Mother Goddess's death anniversary ceremony at Ba Chua Temple (Thanh Chuong). Photo: Huy Thu

According to documents, the Mother Goddess death anniversary has deep historical and social roots, and is part of the Mother Goddess worship in Vietnam. The worship of goddesses, especially the Three Holy Mothers (Mother Lieu Hanh, Mother Thuong Ngan, Mother Thoai) is currently quite popular in temples and shrines in Nghe An (can be worshiped together or separately) with many sacred rituals, in which the practice of performing Hau Dong is a special activity.

The Mother Goddess worship was recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016./.

Thanh Cuong - Huy Thu