Hagiography of the Seventh Courtier of Kim Giao

The 21st day of the Seventh lunisolar month in the Vietnamese lunar calendar is the festival to celebrate the Seventh Courtier of Kim Giao. She is often referred to as the Seventh Courtier of Kim Giao or the Seventh Courtier of Mỏ Bạch, owing to Her primary shrine, the Kim Giao Shrine located in the Mỏ Bạch area.

The Seventh Courtier incarnated into an ethnic minority family in Thanh Liên, Mỏ Bạch, Thái Nguyên province. While details about Her early life are scant, Her legacy is profound. She bravely resisted foreign invaders and shared Her wisdom by teaching the local people the art of agriculture. It is believed that She was the guiding force behind Thái Nguyên’s renowned tradition of cultivating exquisite tea. To this day, Thái Nguyên remains synonymous with high-quality tea production in Vietnam.

Upon Her ascension, the Courtier assumed Her role as the patron goddess of the majestic mountains and pristine forests of Mỏ Bạch, Thái Nguyên.

The Kim Giao shrine, also known as the Mỏ Bạch Temple, stands proudly in Her hometown. It is considered the holiest sanctuary in all of Thái Nguyên, a testament to the reverence She commands.

Among the esteemed Holy Courtiers, the Seventh is known for Her rare appearances. Only the thanh đồng (priests) granted the privilege of conducting ceremonies at Her primary shrine are permitted to invoke Her presence. During these rituals, the thanh đồng dons purple or blue attire, and with graceful reverence, they perform the sacred rites of igniting light and dance with flaming mini-torches in Her honor.