After more than 20 years of studying traditional fine arts, culture and history, Dr. Tran Hau Yen The has been successful with his scientific approach to nghe, a Vietnamese folklore creature that has the traits of a dog and a lion. He helps the public have a better understanding of this creature and is bringing this thousand-year-old image back into modern life through painting, fine arts, fashion, architecture and tourism.
Since 2005, Dr. Tran Hau Yen The, who has a PhD in art history and theory, has made many trips across Vietnam, collecting images of nghe. Nghe was a Vietnamese sacred animal that had a recognizable role in the spiritual life of the Vietnamese for thousands of years. The more he traveled, the deeper he explored and the more interesting charms of this creature he discovered.
Dr. The took note of the diversity of nghe’s images through the works of folk artists. They showed nghe fishing, nghe with earrings, nghe holding pearls and nghe laughing. This richness is how nghe contributed to Vietnamese folk art.
Dr. The has also been researched and gathered scientific information about nghe, including detailed images and data which was published in the book "Sketching nghe - a sacred guardian animal” in 2017. This is the first book researching the history and symbolic meaning of the creature. In 2020, the book was translated into English, aiming to promote the beauty of Vietnamese culture to international friends. Stella Ciorra, Vice-Chair of the Friends of Vietnam Heritage Club, said, "Dr. Tran Hau Yen The’s story about nghe gives an interesting experience to readers, helping them understand more about the traditional culture of Vietnam".
Dr. The’s stories have charmed and inspired many young people’s passion for Vietnamese culture. The Friends of Vietnam Heritage Club has introduced many tourists to the nghe dance and books about nghe. They all were charmed by the creature that represented both emotional intimacy and majestic spirituality.
Story: Bich Van - Photos: Thanh Giang & Files
Translated by Hong Hanh