The mystery of the headless stone dragons in Ho Dynasty Citadel

The Ho Dynasty Citadel (also known as Tay Do Citadel) in Vinh Long and Vinh Tien communes, Vinh Loc district, Thanh Hoa province, is one of the most unique stone architectural works in Vietnam and the world. This was built by Ho Quy Ly in 1397, and was once considered the capital, the political and social cultural center of Dai Ngu country under the Ho Dynasty. After more than 600 years of existence with many historical events, most of the imperial citadel was destroyed, but the citadel remained almost intact. On June 27, 2011, the Ho Dynasty Citadel was officially recognized by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) as a world cultural heritage.

The story of the headless dragon in Thanh Nha Ho Citadel still has no answer.

There are many mysteries surrounding the construction of the Ho Dynasty Citadel, such as how the ancients were able to build the citadel so quickly, in just 3 months with dozens of tons of large stones, the material used to bind the stones, the transportation... Especially, the story about the pair of headless stone dragons, which to this day no one has been able to explain why the pair of dragon statues lost their heads and where the dragon heads are now? We only know that the pair of headless stone dragons are currently lying parallel to the road inside the citadel from the South gate to the North gate.

According to historical records, the pair of stone dragons above were discovered by the French in 1938 when they built an internal road in the citadel. This pair of dragons is 3.8 m long, the largest pair of dragon statues discovered in the feudal dynasties of Vietnam.

The pair of dragons are exquisitely carved from a single block of green stone, their bodies gradually tapering towards the tail, curving into seven curves, and covered with scales. The dragons have four limbs, each with three claws. The spaces under the belly and the triangular panels that form the steps are all meticulously carved with chrysanthemums and soft, curved flower hooks.

Dragon scales are carved meticulously and delicately

As for why the dragons lost their heads and who cut off the dragon heads? Until now, there has been no solid explanation. Some elders in Xuan Giai village (Vinh Tien commune) recounted that there was a story passed down by word of mouth that because the dragon heads were facing the village, fires often broke out in the village. Believing that the dragons breathed fire and caused trouble, the local people cut off the dragon heads. There is also a very mysterious story that the dragon heads contained precious gems and jewels, so taking advantage of a stormy night, a group of people cut off the dragon heads and took them to another place to get the jewels.

According to Dr. Pham Van Dau, Thanh Hoa Historical Association, there are many rumors and explanations about the pair of dragons in the Ho Dynasty Citadel being beheaded. "But according to what I have known and some analysis and comments of some famous historians, it is possible that the dragon heads were besieged by the Ming army for many days by the Lam Son army, due to lack of food, water... in a moment of anger, they destroyed everything in the citadel, including the pair of stone dragon heads" - Dr. Dau said.