Woodblock Painting Celebrating Mother Goddess Liễu Hạnh Returning to the Heavenly Court

The painting in this article is titled “Ascending to the Heavenly Court From Sòng Mountain” [自崇山昇朝 – Tự Sòng Sơn Thăng Triều] and depicts the scene of Mother Goddess Liễu Hạnh being escorted to the heavenly palace on a cloud carriage. Flanking Her on both sides are Her attendants, Quế Tiên and Thị Tiên. The event is believed to have taken place on the 22nd day of the Second lunisolar month, henceforth recognized as the official day when Mother Goddess is ceremoniously summoned to the heavenly court after Her three descents.

The book Compilation of the Divine Cultivators [會眞編 – Hội Chân Biên], compiled by Thanh Hòa Tử and Quế Hiên Tử in the 19th century, recounts the story of “Mother Goddess of Sòng Mountain” (i.e. Mother Goddess Liễu Hạnh) as follows [1]:

“Mother Goddess, titled “Liễu Hạnh Nguyên Quân” [柳杏元君], is the Divine Lady of the Second Palace, a daughter of Jade Emperor, [being exiled]. On the full moon night of the Eighth lunisolar month, in the Vĩnh Tộ years (1619 – 1629) of the reign of Emperor Lê Thần Tông […] incarnated into the family of Lê in Yên Thái village, Vân Cát commune, Thiên Bản district.

[…]

Towards the end of the Lê dynasty, there was a retired official, over eighty years old, known for his virtue. He had a dream where it was rumored that the Mother Goddess was adjusting Her attire to ascend to the heavenly court. Two thousand beautiful young goddesses, obeying the Jade Emperor’s command, arranged flags, fans, and lanterns, divided into two lines to welcome the Mother Goddess, while music resounded throughout the heaven. As he gazed upwards, he suddenly awoke, realizing it was the 22nd day of the Second lunisolar month. This official often recounted his dream to others. Scholars remarked, “That was when Her exile had ended, so the Mother Goddess returned to the heaven.”

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REFERENCE:

[1] Hội Chân Biên, Nguyễn Thanh Tùng researches and translates, Đại học Sư Phạm Publishing House, 2021