Nine mountains carved on the Nine Dynastic Urns of the Nguyen Dynasty (Part 2)

Nine Dynastic Urns of the Nguyen DynastyThe Nine Tripods were commissioned by Emperor Minh Mạng in late 1835, inaugurated on March 1, 1837, and placed in front of the Thế Miếu courtyard within the Imperial Citadel of Huế. Each tripod has three tiers; the middle tier is considered the central point of interaction and therefore depicts heaven, earth, and humanity. In total, the Nine Tripods feature 18 embossed figures. Among them are nine mountain peaks of the country, holding special significance for the Nguyễn dynasty.

1. Thien Ton Mountain (Thanh Hoa): carved on the high peak.

The mountain, also known as Trieu Tuong Mountain, is located in Ha Long commune, northwest of Ha Trung district, Thanh Hoa province. This area was formerly known as Gia Mieu Ngoai Trang, the birthplace of the Nguyen dynasty.

This mountain is sacred to the Nguyen dynasty; it is said that the tomb of the ancestor Nguyen Kim is located here, and in 1803, King Gia Long ordered the construction of Truong Nguyen mausoleum at the foot of the mountain to worship the ancestor Nguyen Kim.

Regarding the name Thien Ton, some documents suggest that in 1821 (the second year of Minh Mang's reign), Emperor Minh Mang issued an edict "conferring the title of Thien Ton upon the mountain." Another legend recounts that Nguyen Kim was poisoned to death by Duong Chap Nhat, and was posthumously granted the title of Chieu Huan Tinh Cong by King Le and buried on Trieu Tuong Mountain. When the coffin was placed in the grave, thunder, lightning, and strong winds caused everyone to flee down the mountain. When the sky cleared, the grave had disappeared, leaving only the rocky mountain and lush vegetation. From then on, the mountain was named Thien Ton.

2. Ngu Binh Mountain (Hue): carvings on Nhan Dinh peak.

BookDai Nam Nhat Thong ChiIt is written: "In the northeast of Huong Thuy, rising up in a flat area like a screen, forming the first barrier before the Hue Imperial City, popularly known as Bang Mountain, given its current name (Ngu Binh) during the reign of Gia Long, the mountain peak is flat, and pine trees are planted everywhere."

Because of its unique shape and location, Ngu Binh Mountain played a crucial role in feng shui for the Nguyen lords and later King Gia Long. As early as July 1687, when Nghia Vuong Nguyen Phuc Tran moved his residence from Kim Long village to Phu Xuan village, he used Bang Mountain as a screen in front of the capital. Later, when King Gia Long planned the construction of Hue Imperial City (1805), he also used this mountain as a screen for the Imperial City.

Legend has it that, since the reign of Emperor Gia Long, every official had to plant a pine tree on Ngu Binh Mountain. Therefore, after many generations of emperors, Ngu Binh has become a lush green pine forest. Together with the Perfume River, Ngu Binh Mountain has created a picturesque landscape and has long been a symbol of Hue's natural beauty.

3. Thuong Mountain (Hue): carved on Chuong Peak

Located in Huong Tra district, the mountain is the highest peak in the ancient capital of Hue. Its shape tapers upwards like a mound of rice ("thuong" means "rice granary"), hence it also has other names such as Dun Son, Hon Don. Additionally, the mountain is also known as Thien Duu or Kim Phung.

Thuong Son is a famous mountain, considered by many feng shui experts to be the main mountain in the entire mountain range of Hue. From the summit, one can observe a panoramic view of Hue city with the winding, lush green Perfume River.

4. Hong Mountain (Hong Linh Mountain): touched upon Anh Peak

Hong Linh Mountain is a majestic and famous mountain range in Ha Tinh province. The name Hong Linh comes from "Hong Linh Mountain," because in the past, many flamingos lived there. This mountain range has dozens of peaks, ranging from low to high, reaching nearly 700 meters. The mountains also contain many large caves, such as Da Hang Cave and Ham Rong Cave.

In addition, the mountain is home to many famous temples and shrines, including Huong Tich Pagoda, located halfway up Huong Tich peak at an altitude of about 650 meters - once ranked among the most beautiful scenic spots in Hoan Chau.

5. Tan Vien Mountain (Ba Vi): carved on Thuan Peak

Tan Vien Mountain is the most famous peak of the Ba Vi mountain range, located between Ba Vi district (Hanoi) and Ky Son district (Hoa Binh province) today. Of the three peaks in the Ba Vi range, Tan Vien peak, at 1,227 meters, is not the highest (King Peak is 1,296 meters and Ngoc Hoa Peak is 1,131 meters), but it is the most famous.

Legend has it that this is the dwelling place of Saint Tan Vien, also known as Son Tinh, the mountain god in the legend of Son Tinh - Thuy Tinh, and the leader of the four immortal saints of Vietnamese folklore (Saint Tan Vien, Saint Mother Lieu Hanh, Saint Giong, and Saint Chu Dong Tu).

On Tan Vien Mountain, there are three very sacred temples located at the summit, slope, and foot of the mountain: the Upper, Middle, and Lower temples. In 1850, during the reign of Emperor Tu Duc, Tan Vien was classified as a famous mountain, and the imperial court annually prepared offerings to worship the mountain god.

6. Mount Duệ (Hue): carved on Tuyên đỉnh (Tuyen Peak)

BookDai Nam Nhat Thong ChiA brief description of the mountain reads: "Located in the south of Huong Tra district, it is pointed and beautiful, bordered to the southeast by the Ta Trach stream. In the 17th year of Minh Mang's reign, the Nine Tripods were cast, and an image was carved into the Tuyen Tripod. From the 20th year onwards, the mountain god was worshipped."

Mount Duệ, along with Mount Thương and Mount Ngự Bình, is considered one of the main mountains that gather the spiritual energy of Hue. Among them, Mount Duệ stands like a guardian deity, presiding over the headwaters of the Perfume River, protecting the land where the Temple of Literature and the Temple of Martial Arts are located.

7. Dai Lanh Mountain: carved on Tuyen Peak

Mount Dai Lanh is located between Phu Yen and Khanh Hoa provinces, a branch of the Truong Son mountain range extending into the sea. On the furthest rocky promontory jutting out into the sea, the French built a lighthouse in the late 19th century. Furthermore, this location is also point A8 of the baseline used to calculate the width of Vietnam's territorial waters.

Thus, the Tuyên đỉnh was carved with two mountains, while the Nghị đỉnh was not carved with any mountains by Emperor Minh Mạng.

8. Hai Van Mountain (Thua Thien-Hue): carved on Du Peak

Hai Van Pass is depicted on the summit of Du Dinh mountain range, encompassing the Hai Van mountain range located southeast of Phu Loc district, Thua Thien-Hue province. The pass is situated at an altitude of over 496 meters above sea level. The front inscription reads "Hai Van Pass," while the back inscription reads "The most magnificent pass under the heavens."

The gate was built in the 7th year of Minh Mạng's reign (1826). Initially, it had one defense officer, but in the 17th year (1836), the number was increased to two defense officers, whose nhiệm vụ was to monitor and observe the situation far out at sea. If foreign ships were detected entering the Da Nang estuary, they had to report it to this gatekeeper.

BookDai Nam Nhat Thong ChiThe text reads: "Hai Van Mountain is the border between Quang Nam and Thua Thien provinces. Previously, the boundary in Thach Ban area and the north of the pass was marked with inscriptions on wooden markers. When the pass gate was built, it was stipulated that the area north of the gate belonged to the jurisdiction of Thua Thien province, while the area south of the gate belonged to the jurisdiction of Quang Nam province."

9. Mount Hoành: carved on Huyền Peak

Hoành Sơn, also known as Ngang Mountain, is a mountain range that divides the border between Quang Binh and Ha Tinh provinces, and is home to the famous Ngang Pass, renowned in poetry. This mountain range also extends horizontally from the west all the way to the sea.

The Hoành Sơn mountain range held a special place for the Nguyễn dynasty. In the past, when Lord Nguyễn Hoàng was still in Thăng Long, wanting to escape the control of Trịnh Kiểm, he secretly sent someone to seek advice from Trạng Trình Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm. Trạng Trình simply said: "The Hoành Sơn range is a refuge for generations." Thanks to this, Nguyễn Hoàng was able to secure a position as governor of Thuận Hóa, building a solid foundation, expanding the country southward, and creating the groundwork for the Nguyễn dynasty.

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