Folk Painting: The Remake

Hanoi, late 19th-early 20th century
Photo: Léon Busy (?)

Vietnamese folk painting has deep roots in the country’s cultural and spiritual traditions, with origins dating back to the 16th century during the Lê Dynasty and reaching its peak in the 19th century. Among the surviving genres, the most popular are Hàng Trống and Đông Hồ, each distinguished by its methods of creation, place of origin, and audience: Hàng Trống catered to the urban elite, while Đông Hồ was created for rural farmers. Traditionally made using woodblock prints and/or hand-painted, these paintings depicted local folklore, mythology, and aspirations, reflecting daily life, community values, and spiritual beliefs. They were commonly displayed during festivals, in homes, and at temples, where they played a vital role in bringing blessings and harmony. However, throughout the 20th century, folk painting faced a decline, influenced by the introduction of Eurocentric academic art, alongside the country’s wars and socio-political upheavals. The influx of outside influences following the country’s reopening in the 1980s further shifted the focus toward Western modernity. By the early 21st century, folk painting had come to be regarded as a kitschy relic of the past.

Thiên Hạ Thái Bình (Peaceful World)

Đông Hồ Folk Painting

Ngũ Hổ (Five Tigers)

Hàng Trống Folk Painting

Gà và Hoa Hồng

Rooster and Roses

Đông Hồ Folk Painting

The rooster, an enduring emblem of vitality and fortitude, embodies the Five Virtues of a warrior: Literature, Martial Arts, Bravery, Humaneness, and Credibility. Framed by vibrant roses, the rooster’s dawn crow becomes a metaphor for renewal, resilience, and good fortune. The composition captures an eternal celebration of energy, harmony, and auspicious beginnings.

Cá Đàn

Carps

Đông Hồ Folk Painting
Once a beloved Đông Hồ painting, Cá Đàn was traditionally displayed during the Tết holiday as a symbol of good fortune and prosperity. In East Asian mythology, the carp represents perseverance and transformation, celebrated for its legendary leap over the Dragon Gate to become a dragon—a metaphor for ambition, resilience, and success. The carp also played a significant role in the annual ritual on the 23rd day of the Lunar Calendar, serving as the vessel for the Kitchen God (Táo Quân) to ascend to Heaven and report each household's deeds.

Ngũ Hổ

Five Tigers

Hàng Trống Folk Painting

The tiger holds a sacred place in Vietnamese spiritual traditions, revered as a guardian against malevolent forces. This painting, often found on altars, portrays five tigers in striking postures—standing, sitting, and riding clouds—each connected to one of the Five Elements: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. The bold composition and vivid colors emphasize the tiger’s vitality and dominance, reflecting its symbolic role as the king of the forest and a protector of balance.

Quan Võ

Military Mandarin

Vũ Di – Vĩnh Phúc Religious Painting

Throughout Vietnamese dynasties, military mandarins were celebrated for their mastery of martial arts and leadership on the battlefield, standing as counterparts to literature mandarins who excelled in strategy and governance. This painting portrays a military mandarin in a striking posture, exuding authority and valor. The flowing garments and intricate details suggest both power and grace, drawing parallels to Dharmapāla figures in Buddhist iconography. The work reflects the enduring martial spirit embedded in Vietnamese cultural identity, where protection and justice are integral themes.

Đàn Lợn

The Drift of Pigs

Đông Hồ Folk Painting

This artwork depicts a corpulent pig surrounded by a lively litter of piglets, symbolizing the dream of a prosperous, peaceful, and fruitful life. In Vietnamese tradition, The Drift of Pigs is often gifted to newlyweds as a wish for fertility and a harmonious family life.

Xích Hổ Thần Tướng

Mighty Red Tiger

Hàng Trống Folk Painting

This artwork depicts one of the Mighty Five Tigers, distinguished by its red color, symbolizing the Fire element in the Five Elements philosophy and representing the South. Beyond its symbolic alignment with the Five Elements, the painting captivates with the tiger’s muscular physique, commanding posture, and piercing gaze, exuding an aura of vitality and power. This striking imagery reflects the tiger’s revered status as both a protector and a symbol of indomitable spirit in Vietnamese culture.

Thánh Gióng

Saint Gióng

Đông Hồ Folk Painting

Also known as Phù Đổng Thiên Vương, Thánh Gióng is a legendary folk hero in Vietnamese history and one of the revered Four Immortals. According to folklore, he miraculously grew into a mighty warrior overnight to defend the country from foreign invaders. Riding an iron horse and wielding a bamboo spear, he symbolizes patriotism, resilience, and youthful vigor. This painting conveys his legendary transformation and the timeless values he represents

Bà Triệu

Lady Triệu

Đông Hồ Folk Painting

Lady Triệu (225–248), also known as Triệu Ẩu or Triệu Trinh Nương, stands as one of Vietnam’s most iconic heroines. A fearless warrior of the 3rd century, she led uprisings against foreign invaders, becoming a symbol of resistance and national sovereignty. Renowned for her bravery and commanding presence, she is immortalized through her powerful declaration: "I would like to ride storms, kill sharks in the open sea, drive out the aggressors, reclaim the country, undo the ties of serfdom, and never bend my back to be the concubine of any man."

Vinh Hoa

Eminence

Đông Hồ Folk Painting

This painting depicts a young boy embracing a rooster, symbolizing the pursuit of good fortune and success. In traditional Chinese, the words for "big rooster" and "great fortune" are homophones, adding an extra layer of symbolic meaning to the painting. Once commonly paired with Phú Quý (Prosperity & Honour), which featured a girl with a duck, these works together expressed complementary wishes for wealth, success, and nobility. Traditionally displayed during the Tết holiday, they were cherished in Vietnamese homes as symbols of hope for a prosperous future.

Phú Quý

Prosperity & Honour

Đông Hồ Folk Painting

Phú Quý (Prosperity & Honour) features a young girl embracing a duck with a lotus behind—a symbol of purity and nobility. The duck, lying down yet holding its head high, represented resilience and the aspiration to rise above life's challenges. Often paired with Vinh Hoa (Eminence), which featured a boy with a rooster, these paintings conveyed wishes for prosperity, success, and honor, and were popular choices in Vietnamese homes during the Tết holiday.

Thiên Hạ Thái Bình

Peaceful World

Đông Hồ Folk Painting

Thiên Hạ Thái Bình is named after the letters inscribed on the painting, which features a majestic peacock standing amidst a garden of carnations—symbols of beauty, grace, and noble virtues. In folk tradition, the peacock is also believed to ward off ghosts, offering protection and harmony to the household. During the Tết holiday, this painting is often displayed as a wish for peace, prosperity, and a harmonious world.

Hạc

Crane

Nghệ An Folk Painting

In Asian mythology, the crane is revered as the most significant bird, embodying the virtues of a noble gentleman. This Nghệ An folk painting depicts a crane in a strong and imposing posture, symbolizing determination and willpower. Beyond these qualities, the crane carries additional meanings, including eternal youth, wisdom, and an affluent life. Its majestic presence in the artwork reflects its esteemed status in cultural and spiritual traditions.

Tiền Tài

God of Wealth

Đông Hồ Folk Painting

This Đông Hồ painting, often displayed at the entrance of homes during the Lunar New Year, symbolizes the wish for wealth and prosperity to flow into the household. The God of Wealth is depicted holding a book in one hand, representing the importance of acquiring knowledge, and a scepter in the other, inscribed with the phrase: “The wealth comes as abundantly as the water.” This phrase reflects the lifelong aspiration of Vietnamese people for abundance and success.

Hai Bà Trưng

The Trưng Sisters

Đông Hồ Folk Painting

The Trưng Sisters, Trưng Trắc and Trưng Nhị, were Vietnamese military leaders who led a rebellion in AD 40 against the first Chinese domination of Vietnam, establishing their rule for three years. Revered as national heroines, their bravery and leadership remain iconic in Vietnamese history. This Đông Hồ painting captures the legendary image of the two sisters riding elephants into battle—a powerful symbol of patriotism and the resilience of Vietnamese women in particular, and the Vietnamese people as a whole.

Chăn Trâu Thổi Sáo

Little Buffalo Boy Playing Flute

To rural farmers, buffalos are treasured companions and indispensable to their livelihood. This Đông Hồ painting beautifully depicts a harmonious bond between the boy and the buffalo. The buffalo pricks its ears, moves its feet to the sound of the flute, and wags its tail happily as if sharing in the boy’s joy. Beyond its depiction of farm life, the artwork honors the role of buffalos as loyal friends who accompany farmers through all life’s challenges. It also praises clever and industrious children who assist their parents in the fields, embodying the values of hard work and familial devotion.

Chăn Trâu Thả Diều

Little Buffalo Boy Flying a Kite

Đông Hồ Folk Painting

This Đông Hồ painting captures a serene countryside scene, featuring a buffalo—a symbol of the country’s agriculture—and a boy reclining on its back, dressed in a loincloth and holding a kite soaring high in the sky. The boy’s content expression and full stomach reflect themes of wealth, happiness, and the simplicity of rural life. This is often paired with Chăn Trâu Thổi Sáo (Little Buffalo Boy Playing Flute), together portraying the harmonious bond between farmers and their buffalos. These paired paintings celebrate the joy, tranquility, and familial values deeply rooted in Vietnamese agrarian culture.

Múa Rồng

Dragon Dance

Hàng Trống Folk Painting

This Hàng Trống painting captures the vibrant energy of the Múa Rồng (Dragon Dance), a performance symbolizing prosperity, good luck, and happiness. Traditionally performed during the Lunar New Year and Mid-Autumn Festival, the dragon’s joyful movement is brought to life through bright hues and dynamic expressions. The artwork radiates festive spirit, embodying the cultural significance of the dragon in East Asian traditions.

Bà Nguyệt

Yue Lao

Đông Hồ Folk Painting

Bà Nguyệt, or Yue Lao, is the Matchmaker Deity, revered for uniting destined couples with a silken cord. In this painting, she rides a phoenix—symbolizing beauty and harmony—while binding a couple with a red cord, a symbol of love, union, and marital bliss. The artwork reflects the wish for young people to find their perfect match and enjoy a harmonious life together.

Thất Đồng

Seven Kids

Hàng Trống Folk Painting

Thất Đồng (Seven Kids) is a cherished painting, especially in urban households, traditionally displayed during the Lunar New Year. The artwork embodies wishes for fertility, prosperity, and a thriving family life. A peach tree in full bloom and seven playful children are depicted in vibrant colors, creating a lively, festive atmosphere. The painting has become a symbol of joy and abundance, celebrated as both a decorative and cultural treasure.

Đức Thánh Trần

Saint Trần Hưng Đạo

Hàng Trống Folk Painting

Trần Hưng Đạo (1228–1300), a revered strategist and Supreme Commander during the Trần Dynasty, is celebrated for his role in repelling three major Mongol invasions. Widely regarded as one of history’s great military tacticians, his leadership solidified his status as a national hero. This painting honors his legacy, embodying patriotism, resilience, and strategic brilliance.

Ông Hoàng Cưỡi Cá

The Third Prince Riding the Fish

Hàng Trống Folk Painting

This Hàng Trống painting depicts Ông Hoàng Bơ, the third son of Long Vương Bát Hải Động Đình, the Dragon King of the Eight Seas. Portrayed in a ceremonial white robe with flowing sleeves and traditional Phốc Đầu headwear, the prince exudes regality. Holding a scepter, a symbol of his royal authority, he is accompanied by attendants bearing a casket and parasol, further emphasizing his esteemed status.

Ông Hoàng Cưỡi Rắn

The First Prince Riding the Snake

This painting depicts the First Prince, a legendary figure in Vietnamese mythology, known for riding his three-headed, nine-tailed snake across the waters. Revered as a deity, he is believed to bring blessings to merchants and students preparing for exams, embodying the hopes for success and prosperity.

Bà Chúa Thượng Ngàn

Princess of the Forest

Hàng Trống Folk Painting

The Princess of the Forest, ruler of the Forest Palace in Vietnamese indigenous belief, is the daughter of Prince Sơn Tính and Mỵ Nương, the daughter of King Hùng. A revered spirit, she represents the majesty and mystery of the forest, holding an important place in Vietnam’s spiritual and cultural heritage.

Tố Nữ

The Four Musicians

Tố Nữ is a celebrated painting that captures the elegance and grace of traditional Vietnamese women. The artwork features four women in traditional dress, each engaged in a different activity: one playing the flute, another holding sênh tiền (castanets with stringed coins), a third with a fan, and the fourth playing the đàn nguyệt (moon-shaped two-chord guitar). This painting, often displayed during festive occasions, symbolizes beauty, harmony, and the refined cultural traditions of Hanoi.

Gà Thư Hùng

Vicious Gamecocks

Đông Hồ Folk Painting

Đám Cưới Chuột

The Rat's Wedding

Đông Hồ Folk Painting

One of Đông Hồ's most iconic works, The Rat's Wedding initially presents a festive scene: a wedding procession with trumpets, flags, a sedan chair for the bride, and a parasol for the groom, all accompanied by their relatives. However, the painting reveals a darker story upon closer inspection—showing the rats' fear and an imposing cat raising its paw, threatening them. This satirical piece critiques the corruption and exploitation of the ruling class, using a celebratory image to expose deeper social inequalities.

Gà Đàn

The Clutch of Chickens

Đông Hồ Folk Painting

The picture depicts a hen surrounded by ten lively chicks, each expressing its own personality through unique gestures. The painting’s warm, sunny tones infuse the scene with energy and cheer, symbolizing fertility, prosperity, and familial joy. This work reflects the hopes of farmers for abundant offspring and the harmony of family life.

Chuột Rước Rồng

Rats Performing Dragon Dance

Đông Hồ Folk Painting

This painting depicts rats performing the traditional dragon dance to mark the Lunar New Year, symbolizing hopes for peace, prosperity, and joy. With its playful imagery, it reflects the festive spirit and aspirations of Vietnamese communities during this celebratory time.

Lý Ngư Vọng Nguyệt

The Carps Looking for the Moon

Hàng Trống Folk Painting

This painting portrays a carp chasing the moon’s reflection on the water—a metaphor for unattainable aspirations. Surrounded by vibrant aquatic life, the carp’s pursuit symbolizes ambition, perseverance, and the fleeting nature of desire. In Vietnamese culture, the carp represents effort and resilience, often linked to the myth of transforming into a dragon. Here, the carp's chase reflects the elusive nature of dreams and the transitory aspects of life.

Chim Công

Peacock

Hàng Trống Folk Painting

This Hàng Trống painting depicts a majestic peacock surrounded by a vibrant garden of carnations. The peacock, with its striking plumage, symbolizes beauty, nobility, and prosperity, while the carnations evoke purity, love, and admiration. The combination of intricate details and vivid colors creates a celebratory atmosphere, embodying the ideals of grace, harmony, and joy.

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