Portrait of the Third Mother Goddess of Water – Divine Portraits Project x Lunae Lumen

On the occasion of the second New Moon of the Lunar New Year, we would like to share with you the third artwork by Lunae Lumen for the project Divine Portraits. The painting, inspired by the Art-Nouveau style combined with other distinguished characteristics of Vietnamese folk paintings, portrays the Third Mother Goddess of Water Palace. The theme color is white as it is the symbolic color of the Water Palace.

Since the Mother Goddess governs the Water Palace, the background features layers and layers of colorful waves similar to the waves in Hàng Trống traditional art (particularly, the well-known folk painting “The Third Prince Riding a Fish”). Behind Her back are blooming white lotuses, representing the purity of Her heart triumphing over the cunning people who slandered Her in Her mortal life. The wooden arch frame above Her head is carved with fish-turning-into-dragon patterns, in the center is the symbol Pair of Fish – one of eight treasures of Buddhism. This symbol refers to being awake, undistracted, and always as active as a fish that swims in the ocean of life but is not drown. Therefore, it is also a symbol of no longer suffering and freedom in both body and mind.

Her costumes, in the Lê dynasty’s style, include three layers. The innermost is Giao Lĩnh (crossed-collared robe). The middle layer is Viên Lĩnh (round-collared robe) and Thường wrapping skirt a pearl belt. The outermost layer is Đối Khâm (parallel-collared robe) with the shoulder section covered with a pearl net. Her golden crown is inspired by an ancient Vietnamese statue*. Around the brim are the most precious Eastern pearls. The two fringes are attached with two white-jade Conch Shells (another one of the eight Buddhist auspicious symbols). She holds a round fan made from mother of pearl.

The inspiration for the costumes is mainly from the book Weaving a Realm by Vietnam Centre.