Celebrate the Festival of the Fifth Courtier of Lân Stream in Đạo Mẫu – Four Palaces – The Hagiography of the Fifth Courtier

The Courtier taught the Kinh to cast nets in the stream,
The Mường to clear land for a fertile dream,
On the mountainside, behind the pass, the Mèo people are singing,
As the Fifth Courtier, behind the pass, is returning.

(Court literature hymn to the Fifth Courtier of Lân Stream. Transliterated by Four Palaces – Tứ Phủ)

The Fifth Courtier of Lân Stream holds her esteemed position among the Twelve Holy Courtiers of Four Palaces. She follows the Fourth Courtier of Earth and precedes the Sixth Courtier of Mountain Villages. Each year, Her festival graces the 20th day of the Fifth lunisolar month.

According to some accounts, the Fifth Courtier is said to belong to the Nùng minority ethnicity. During the era of the Restored Later Lê, she was entrusted with the governance of the forest and delta surrounding the Lân Stream by River Hoá in Lạng Sơn province. Her benevolent rule brought prosperity to Her people, imparting knowledge of survival, guiding them through the woods, and nurturing their agricultural endeavors. After She ascended to the realm of the divine, She returned to aid Her people, warding off malevolent forces and protecting them. Legend whispers that on clear nights, one may catch a glimpse of Her and Her twelve attendants gracefully paddling along the tranquil waters of River Hoá.

Other accounts speak of the Fifth Courtier as a princess during the Restored Later Lê period. Captivated by the allure of nature, She beseeched Her father, the emperor, for permission to reside among the mountains. Settling in the vicinity of Lân Stream, captivated by its scenic beauty, she established a haven, renouncing worldly pursuits to embrace a life of spiritual devotion. Upon Her ascension to the realm of the divine, the Fourth Mother Goddess of Mountain designated Her as the Fifth Courtier of Lân Stream, entrusting Her with the governance of the region.

The court literature hymn dedicated to the Courtier also mentions Her mortal life during the Restored Later Lê dynasty:

“Unlocking the ancient tome of Lê dynasty’s lore,
Revealing the Princess of Lân Stream, so adored,
Her beauty, a vision of jade snow’s gleam,
Her brows arched, a crescent moon’s dream.”

(Court literature hymn to the Fifth Courtier of Lân Stream. Transliterated by Four Palaces – Tứ Phủ)