Unlike other, Phú Hữu communal house possesses exceptional statues and bas-reliefs depict a dragon family.
Located at the foot of the mountain, Phú Hữu communal house worships the Saint of Mountain (Tản Viên Sơn Thánh, its major restoration was in 1831 (during King Minh Mang period). With a parameter made of bee brick (a local product), it is 30 metres wide and 90 metres long. The structure consists of a 3-door entrance, 2 separate compartments at the front rears and the main house (Đại Đình). It is the 5-compartment with 2 demi rears in the main house; in addition, in the 4 corners, 4 brick-pillars were built to hold the bending roof. 2 statues of a couple of dragons looking at the sun were meticulously created, situated on the top part of the roof. Aside from typical carving features of the Nguyen dynasty (dragon, tortoise, lion, phoenix), there are also some artefacts such as statues of fairy, elephants, horses (XVII century).
The main house is quite significant, it has been the place that expresses the daily life, desire of a harmonious living of people to nature and animals in the XVII century through many bold impressions of its carvings.
There are some carving of human depictions, nevertheless, the dragons are very concentrated detailed at Phú Hữu communal house, especially on the arm-parts in the internal frame structure.
Having gone through many restoration, major or minor, the courtyard wore a new ‘cloth’ on it, but the communal house can still retain its original stance.
According to the village practice, women are not allowed to present in the main house.
Photo
Trieu Chien
Location
Phu Huu village, Phu Son commune
Ba Vi district, Hanoi, Vietnam
