Worshipping the Mother Goddess Thoai at Han Son Temple, Thanh Hoa: From the Perspective of Ecological Religious Studies

Abstract

This article investigates the worship of Mother Goddess Thoải at Hàn Sơn Temple (Thanh Hóa) from the perspective of ecological-religious studies, drawing on fieldwork materials and existing scholarly sources. Hàn Sơn serves as a sacred space where water worship, hero cults, and the Mother Goddess tradition intersect, reflecting distinct forms of local ecological ethics and a worldview that emphasizes harmony between humans and nature, as well as between history and belief. The study clarifies the historical development of the architectural complex, its spatial and ritual layout, festival processions, and the symbolic interplay of water and mountain integral to local ecological morality. The findings show that the Mother Goddess Thoải worship at Hàn Sơn Temple not only fulfills spiritual functions but also contributes significantly to shaping community–environment relations, highlighting both the social and ecological roles of this belief system.