There is a Thach Han stream "flowing" on the Nine Tripod Cauldrons.

Thach Han River (also known as Ba Long River, Quang Tri River) is the largest river in Quang Tri Province. This river is closely associated with the history of Quang Tri Province. In the downstream area, Thach Han River connects with Ben Hai River via Canh Hom River, and connects with O Lau River via Vinh Dinh River. Besides its heroic history, Thach Han River is also known to many people across the country through being chosen to be engraved on the Nine Courts of the Nguyen Dynasty.

A corner of the Nguyen Dynasty's Nine Urns placed in front of Hien Lam Pavilion - Photo: AK

Thach Han is a heroic river associated with many glorious victories in the flow of the country's history through the wars to protect the Fatherland. Thach Han River is the pride of the people of Quang Tri and is closely associated with the development history of this land. Thach Han not only has a place in the hearts of the people of Quang Tri but also has a solemn position in the history of the Nguyen Dynasty. That is shown through the fact that this river was chosen to be placed on the Nine Urns of the Nguyen Dynasty.

Over 143 years (1802 - 1945), the Nguyen Dynasty left behind many valuable cultural works in the land of Phu Xuan (today's ancient capital of Hue). One of the typical works in the overall cultural values ​​that the Nguyen Dynasty left behind is the Nine Urns (9 large urns). The Nine Urns are named after the temple names of the Nguyen Dynasty kings, each urn corresponding to a king. The Nine Urns were cast by King Minh Mang in 1835 and completed in 1837. The names of the nine urns include: Cao urns, Nhan urns, Chuong urns, Anh urns, Nghi urns, Thuan urns, Tuyen urns, Du urns and Huyen urns.

To this day, the Nine Dynastic Urns are still intact, placed in front of Hien Lam Pavilion, opposite The Mieu Temple in the Hue Imperial City. The Nine Dynastic Urns exhibit exquisite works of art by talented artisans, symbolizing the country's wealth and unity and the dream of a dynasty that will always be strong and powerful. All 153 panels on the Nine Dynastic Urns are 153 independent, complete carvings, a skillful combination of our country's bronze casting and embossing art, and of folk culture and scholarly culture in the early 19th century.

Each cauldron is engraved with 17 different images, with captions in Chinese characters. Each motif is not simply a delicate carving but also a unique work of art. The Nine Cauldrons are considered an encyclopedia of Vietnamese life in the first half of the 19th century. This is a rare cultural heritage with many values ​​of Vietnam. It is also a product that represents the pinnacle of bronze casting art in our country in the 19th century.

Among the many motifs carved on the Nine Urns, the most notable is the image of the Thach Han River depicted on the Thuan Dinh. The book “Dai Nam Thuc Luc” records: “The Thuan Dinh is engraved with the following images: Thach Han River, Tan Vien Mountain, Vinh Dinh River, Can Gio estuary, wild bull, oriole, soybean, basil, sunflower, wind...”. The Thuan Dinh, like the other eight urns, is engraved with a variety of images of the country’s nature, with images symbolizing each region as well as common features of the whole country.

The image of the Thach Han River is depicted very vividly and prominently. The fact that the image is engraved on the Thuan Dinh shows that the Thach Han River was highly valued by the Nguyen Dynasty, because the 153 motifs engraved on the Nine Tripods are all typical images, carefully selected by the court. Admiring the Thach Han River on the Nine Tripods gives us the feeling that this river is "flowing" because the image is carved very gracefully and delicately. In the middle of the river are raised motifs symbolizing the alluvial plains. On the Thuan Dinh, the image of the Thach Han River is clearly engraved in Chinese characters as "Thach Han Giang".

The fact that it was chosen to be engraved on the Nine Urns shows that the Thach Han River has an important significance in the history of Vietnam in general and the Nguyen Dynasty in particular. It is the pride of the people of Quang Tri about the river that has been deeply imprinted in the minds of many people.

An Khue

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/co-mot-dong-thach-han-chay-tren-cuu-dinh-188788.htm