What is Dao Mau?
Dao Mau (also called Mother Goddess worship) is a system of indigenous folk beliefs of the Vietnamese people, worshipping female deities and Holy Mothers. These deities are believed to govern the realms of the universe according to traditional concepts: Thien phu (Heaven realm), Dia phu (Earth realm), and Thoai phu (Water realm). When Nhac phu (Forest and Mountain realm) is added, the system is called Four Palaces. Dao Mau is closely tied to spiritual life, directing people toward wishes for health, peace, and good fortune in the present.
Origin and Formation
Dao Mau originates from the worship of female deities by wet-rice agricultural communities, emphasizing fertility and nature. Over time, this belief absorbed elements from Buddhism, Taoism, and the worship of national heroes. Typical Holy Mothers include Holy Mother Lieu Hanh, Mother Thuong Thien, Mother Thuong Ngan, and Mother Thoai. Among them, Holy Mother Lieu Hanh is the only female saint in the Four Immortals of the Vietnamese people, mainly worshipped at Phu Day (Nam Dinh).
System of Deities and Rituals
The pantheon of Dao Mau includes the Three Holy Mothers, the Five Great Mandarins, the Great Mandarins, the Holy Ladies, the Princes, the Young Ladies, and the Young Boys. The central ritual is hau dong (mediumship), in which the medium performs spirit possession rituals for the deities to descend. There are also offering rituals and festivals such as Phu Day Festival and Ba Den Mountain Festival. Dao Mau has been recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
Distinction from Easily Confused Terms
Dao Mau differs from ancestor worship (directed at family ancestors) and Thanh Hoang worship (directed at village guardian deities). Dao Mau is also not identical to Buddhism or Taoism, though it has been influenced by them. "Three Palaces" and "Four Palaces" refer to the realms of the universe governed, not alternative names for Dao Mau. "Hau dong" is a specific ritual, not the entire belief system.
Note
Dao Mau is traditional knowledge for reference, not scientifically verified. Content related to deities, rituals, and legends should be approached as part of folk belief culture.