THE CARVINGS ON THE WOODEN ARCHITECTURE OF THAI LAC PAGODA

Abstract

Vietnamese temple architecture is mainly traditional architecture associated with Buddha worship; similarly to pagoda architecture associated with Village King worship and other types of architecture. Thai Lac
Pagoda in Lac Hong Commune, My Van District, Hung Yen Province, still preserves the architectural scale of the Tran Dynasty (14th century), especially the system of wooden carvings mounted on the temples: cốn
(cone), vì nóc (roof top), đầu bẩy (porch head), đầu dư (residual head), ván nong (plywood)… The carvings on the wooden architecture of Thai Lac Pagoda adorn the beauty of the temple space as well as preserve
many unique symbolic meanings. Many studies have confirmed that the carvings on wooden architecture at Thai Lac Pagoda are in the artistic style of the Tran Dynasty. The article is going to research and discuss about the art of carving on the architecture mainly at the Three Jewels Tower with many themes and decorative motifs that absorb national traditional themes, closely linked with folk life. Thereby contributing to upholding the historical, cultural, social and artistic values in order to conserve, preserve and promote the image of the Vietnamese nation to other countries in the region and the world.