Người Việt có thờ chó không?

Tóm tắt

Based on ethnological records of the totemistic beliefs of different ethnic groups (such as the Viet, Muong, Yao, Khang, Kho-mu, Xinh-mun, etc.) and the customs of worship, funerals and proverbs of the Viet, this article opposes the belief/claim that dogs are used as objects of worship in Viet culture. The article will discuss the evidence that for the Viet people, the dog represents evening, lower stratum, and magic – traditional ideas related to evil spirits – rather than daytime, life, upper stratum and myth – traditional ideas related to worship. The history of the placement of stone dogs at the front entrance of the house, pagoda, temple, the communal house of the village, garden, alter, and at the gate and rampart of the citadel, as well as the burning of incense in front of stone dogs, will provide insight into the use of dogs as gaurdians to expel evil spirits, as opposed to objects of worship. Comparing the history of Viet views of dogs to traditional Viet worship of the dragon, fairy and Chim Lạc (a type of bird), will provide furthur insight into the role of dogs in Vietnamese beliefs.