Hanoi Museum displays over 100 dragon-inspired artefacts

The Hanoi Museum has opened an exhibition entitled "Telling Dragon Stories in the Year of the Dragon", featuring more than 100 documents and artifacts from its collection, as well as unique handicrafts.

The exhibition is divided into three thematic areas: Dragon images on religious and belief architecture; Dragon images in daily life; and Dragon images applied in contemporary life.

The exhibition provides a rich overview of traditional dragon symbols and applications of dragon symbols in modern design. Photo: Ngo Minh/The Hanoi Times

In particular, the Hanoi Museum uses modern projection technology to bring the symbol of the dragon through Vietnam's dynasties to life, creating an attractive visual effect for viewers.

Artist Nam Chi, one of the authors participating in the exhibition, said his works were inspired by the folk paintings of Kim Hoang and Hang Trong.

"I have incorporated details of village communal house architecture and ancient patterns found in temples into the products, combining them with the colors of folk paintings," Nam Chi said.

Chi brought to the exhibition a pair of ceramic lamps with dragon images painted on the lampshades. One tells the story of an old dragon educating his son, while the other shows a fairy riding a dragon.

"The first story is about educating children, while the second story is not only about the history of dragons and fairies but also about the will to conquer nature by praying for good weather," Nam Chi said.

Another artifact is a paper fan painted with the image of a dragon holding the word "Tho" (longevity) in Han script, implying a wish for longevity, prosperity, and fulfillment.

He also introduced his paintings with touches of Hang Trong and Kim Hoang folk paintings.

"In the paintings, only some parts of the dragon were painted, usually the head, not the whole body. When I paint dragons, I want to convey messages based on people's thoughts about the dragon. For example, in the painting Long Van Khanh Hoi (Dragon Meeting Clouds), it's the convergence of many sacred symbols at the same time that brings good omen to the people. Among them, the dragon is the biggest symbol," Nam Chi added.

The exhibition is on display at the Hanoi Museum, Pham Hung Street, Hanoi.

White glazed ceramic censer with blue pattern, body, and lid decorated with dragons, 19th century. Photo: Ngo Minh/The Hanoi Times

The Hanoi Museum uses modern projection technology to create an attractive visual effect for viewers. Photo: Ngo Minh/The Hanoi Times

A paper fan by artisan Nam Chi. Photo: Ngo Minh/The Hanoi Times

A collection of dragon-shaped decorative objects by designer Tran Hoan. Photo: Ngo Minh/The Hanoi Times

Dragon statues by artist Nguyen Van Hai. Photo: Ngo Minh/The Hanoi Times

Dragon head found at Bao An Pagoda, Gia Lam District, dating from the 17th century. Photo: Ngo Minh/The Hanoi Times

Dragon boats and ancient patterns carved on ivory, a 20th-century work of art. Photo: Ngo Minh/The Hanoi Times