Tan Vien Son Thanh: From the Son Tinh - Thuy Tinh Legend to the Leading Saint of the Four Immortals
Legend and Deification
Tan Vien Son Thanh, commonly known as Son Tinh in the legend of Son Tinh - Thuy Tinh, is one of the most sacred deities of the Vietnamese people. The legend tells of Son Tinh, the mountain god of Tan Vien (Ba Vi mountain), who defeated Thuy Tinh, the water god, in a contest to win the hand of Princess My Nuong. This victory is not merely a mythological tale but carries profound significance: it embodies the aspiration to conquer nature and overcome floods and storms to protect crops and lives of agricultural communities.
According to Professor Tran Quoc Vuong, the Ba Vi region became sacred thanks to the mountain god Son Tinh - Saint Tan. This deity became immortal due to the strong cultural and spiritual foundation of ancient Viet people within the shared Viet - Muong community. This shows that Tan Vien Son Thanh is not just a mythical character but a symbol crystallizing an entire agricultural civilization, where humans constantly face and tame the forces of nature.
Position in the Four Immortals
In Vietnamese folk belief, Tan Vien Son Thanh is the leading saint among the "Four Immortals" (Tu Bat Tu): Tan Vien Son Thanh, Phu Dong Thien Vuong (Saint Giong), Chu Dong Tu, and Lieu Hanh Cong Chua. As the first saint mentioned, he represents the great wisdom and creative ability of the Vietnamese people in the fight against natural disasters. Unlike Saint Giong (who fought foreign invaders) or Chu Dong Tu (symbolizing love and wealth), Tan Vien Son Thanh represents the enduring struggle against Mother Nature, the most persistent battle of Vietnamese farmers.
Worshipping Tan Vien Son Thanh also affirms the existence of the Hung King era, the first state in Vietnamese consciousness. This worship is not just a religious custom but evidence of the nation's deep history and culture.
Center of Worship and Spread
Tan Vien Son Thanh, as a mountain deity, is worshipped widely from mountainous to plain areas. However, the area around Ba Vi mountain (Hanoi) is considered the place of origin, the most sacred, and the center of worship. According to statistics, Ba Vi district has the largest number of relics dedicated to Tan Vien Son Thanh, with about 100 relics, showing the special importance of this belief in local spiritual life.
The worship also spread to many other provinces such as Thanh Hoa, Bac Giang, Vinh Phuc, and Phu Tho. This wide distribution demonstrates the vitality of the belief, transcending geographical boundaries to become a shared cultural symbol of the Vietnamese people.
Tan Vien Son Thanh Festival: A Cultural Convergence
The Tan Vien Son Thanh Festival is held extensively across Xu Doai, focusing on the complex of Thuong - Trung - Ha temples in Minh Quang commune, Ba Vi district. The festival is an occasion for the community to commemorate and honor the saint's merits while preserving and promoting traditional cultural values.
#### Sacred Water Procession Ritual
One of the most distinctive rituals is the water procession from the Da River for the ablution ceremony at Ha Temple. This ritual takes place on the night of the 13th day of the first lunar month. The organizers select a virtuous young man and woman of good character to participate. The procession goes by boat to the middle of the Da River at night to collect water, then returns to purify the worship objects at Ha Temple. This is a highly sacred ritual, symbolizing the connection between deities and humans, and between mountains and rivers.
#### Ceremonial and Festive Activities
After the water procession, there is a palanquin procession to offer to Saint Mother and Saint Tan's father from Ha Temple to Lang Suong Temple, taking place from 5:30 to 8:30 on the 14th day of the first lunar month. The main opening ceremony features a drum performance art program.
The festive part includes various activities rich in the cultural identity of Kinh, Dao, and Muong ethnic groups in Ba Vi district, such as crossbow shooting, Chinese chess, men's volleyball, and nem con (throwing a sacred ball). These activities create a joyful and healthy atmosphere and promote local tourism products, contributing to socio-economic development.
Enduring Historical and Cultural Values
The worship of Tan Vien Son Thanh affirms and continues the preservation and promotion of a saint formed in the early period of Vietnamese culture and civilization. This practice is a precious intangible cultural heritage that needs to be preserved and passed on to future generations. The Tan Vien Son Thanh Festival is not only a religious event but also a special cultural space where people return to their roots, express gratitude to ancestors, and strengthen community bonds.
The UNESCO recognition of the worship of Tan Vien Son Thanh (along with other saints like Saint Giong) as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity is a testament to its global value. Tan Vien Son Thanh is not just a legendary figure but a cultural symbol and an immortal spiritual value of the Vietnamese nation.
