The Image of Bà Chúa Then at The Chúa Then Temple, Nà Cốc Village, Bình Gia Commune, Lạng Sơn Province.

Abstract

Bà Chúa Then is a sacred figure venerated by the residents of Nà Cốc village, serving as the principal deity of the Chúa Then Linh Từ Temple. This deity holds significant spiritual importance for local communities as well as for practitioners of Then worship and the Mother Goddess cults of Tam and Tứ Phủ (Three and Four Palaces). At Bình Gia, Lạng Sơn, Bà Chúa Then exerts influence over both folk religious traditions, appearing in each as a patron of specific professions. This article analyses the beliefs associated with Bà Chúa Then and her functions within these intertwined folk religious practices, highlighting her role as both a spiritual authority and a cultural symbol within the local community.