The beauty of the ancient communal house in the middle of the flood zone
Huy Thu•July 18, 2023 09:42
(Baonghean.vn) - In the middle of the flood zone of Thanh Xuan commune (Thanh Chuong) - where flooding occurs every year - there still exists an ancient communal house with unique sculptural beauty, that is Phu Lap communal house.
Phu Lap communal house in Thanh Xuan commune was built a long time ago. After many restorations and renovations, the communal house has the appearance it has today. In the communal house grounds, there are currently 3 structures: the upper communal house, the lower communal house and the flood shelter. Photo: Huy ThuThe lower communal house is a three-room house built during the Nguyen Dynasty "Khai Dinh Ngu Nien" (1920) and was recently relocated by the villagers of Phu Lap from Dang Thai Mai Secondary School to build in the communal house grounds in 2004. Previously, the lower communal house was used as the school's library. Photo: Huy ThuThe wooden frame of the lower communal house most concentratedly shows the beauty of the ancient communal house's wood carvings. The upper rafters, lower rafters, and rafters are carved delicately and elaborately. Photo: Huy ThuThe two sides of the eaves are carved with dragon shapes with full head, body, tail, and legs, winding along the body of the eaves in a lively and soft way. Photo: Huy ThuOn the lower part of the house, the lower part is carved with pairs of dragons and phoenixes symmetrically. Originally, the wooden frame of the communal house was left untouched, but during the recent relocation and restoration, the locals had it repainted. Photo: Huy ThuThe image of a "phoenix holding a scroll" spreading its wings, its head raised high with its beak holding a scroll on its tail looking quite beautiful. Photo: Huy ThuMany traditional themes such as "Mai hoa nai", "long ma", "lien quy", "phuong vu"... are shown on many wooden structures of the communal house. Compared to many ancient communal houses of the same period, the sculptures of Phu Lap communal house are strong and liberal. Some images are shown in a very unique way. With the theme of "lien quy", the image of lotus leaves is softly curved like a turtle shell. Photo: Huy ThuThe roof trusses of the lower temple, especially the middle ones, structures such as gong stands, pillars, pedestals, bowing heads... are densely carved with floral motifs. On the scrolls are engraved Chinese characters expressing the concepts and wishes of the local people such as: "Kim Nghe cuu chi", "Tan dinh van luong"... Photo: Huy Thu
