Dragon of the Clouds. Photo: Hoang Anh[/caption] Among the patterns and motifs used to decorate the foreheads and borders of the Doctorate steles, the image of the dragon has always been given a very solemn position. As the first mascot in the list of four sacred animals (dragon, unicorn, turtle, phoenix), the dragon has always been considered a sacred, noble representative and is only for kings, and is often depicted in the composition of a pair of dragons facing the sun surrounded by clouds of fire. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="800"]
Meeting With Dragons. Photo: Hoang Anh[/caption] The image of the dragon on the doctoral steles at the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam is one of the outstanding and unique features. If the stele erection in 1653 depicted the dragon in a realistic way, then from the stele erection in 1717 onwards, most of the dragon images were created by artisans in extremely diverse ways, completely breaking away from the usual patterns. Under the political characteristics of the feudal dynasty during the Le Dynasty and Trinh Lords in the 18th century, the use of the dragon model image was no longer suitable. From here, versions of dragons transforming into clouds, dragons transforming into fire or dragons transforming into trees and leaves were born one after another under the talented hands of artisans at that time, not only expressing cultural and aesthetic elements but also bearing the mark of a very special period in the history of the Vietnamese nation. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="800"] 
Long Mon 8: Patterns on the stele of the 1775 doctoral examination erected in 1776. Photo: Hoang Anh[/caption] Over the centuries, each stele has suffered from adverse weather effects such as sun, rain, dew, and wind, causing the stele surface to erode quite a bit, and the motifs are more or less covered by a layer of dust from time. However, thanks to the technique of stamping, researchers have not only recovered the stele inscriptions containing a lot of useful information, but also discovered a series of extremely sophisticated patterns and motifs. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="800"]
Dragon in the Galaxy. Photo: Hoang Anh[/caption] The works are introduced at the exhibition with 4 main areas: Dragon in the Clouds, 8 gates - Long Mon, Meeting with Dragons and Dragon in the Galaxy. Respecting the original lines on the doctoral steles combined with the graphic language, the exhibition has brought all guests profound experiences about history as well as helped viewers visualize more clearly the talent and skill of the stone craftsmen who devoted their hearts to creating truly impressive sculptures. According to Mr. Truong Quoc Toan, the person responsible for designing the exhibition "Dragon image on Doctoral steles", the special thing that the Organizing Committee wants to emphasize in this exhibition design is to help everyone who comes here to visit to discover the beauty of the patterns on Doctoral steles in general and the dragon patterns on Doctoral steles in particular. The exhibition is also presented with a modern approach, close to the youth, as is the general spirit of the activities at the Temple of Literature in recent times. The thematic exhibition "Dragon image on the Doctor's stele" will take place until August 26, 2024 at the Thai Hoc House, the special national relic of the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam.Hoang Anh
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