Văn Miếu

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Khuê Văn pavilion

Văn Miếu (文廟) or Temple of Literature is a historic site situated in Hanoi, Vietnam. It was founded in 1070 as a Confucian temple. Only parts of the Văn Miếu complex date back to the earliest period, although much of the architecture dates to the Lý (1010 – 1225) and Trần (1225 – 1400) Dynasties.

In 1076 Vietnam's first university, the Quoc Tu Giam (國子監) or National University, was established within the temple to educate Vietnam's mandarin class. The university functioned for more than 700 years, from 1076 to 1779. During that time 2,313 doctors graduated.^[1]

In 1484 emperor Lê Thánh Tông started the tradition of carving the names of the laureates of the university on stone steles, which were placed on top of stone turtles. Of the 116 steles corresponding to the examinations held between 1142 and 1778, only 82 remain.

First court yard	Steles with names of those successful at the imperial exams	Third court yard	Main hall
Main hall	First court yard

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Văn Miếu

[edit] More about Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam

"In the autumn of the year Canh Tuat, the second year of Than Vu, in the 8th lunar month, during the reign of King Ly Thanh Tong, the Temple of Literature was built." That's 1070 to you and me, and this ancient Confucian sanctuary is now considered one of Hanoi's finest historical sites. The temple is based on Confucius' birthplace at Qufu in the Chinese province of Shandong. It consists of five courtyards lined out in order, entrance to the first, via the impressive twin tiered Van Mieu gate leads to three pathways that run through the length of the complex. The center path was reserved for the king, the one to its left for administrative Mandarins and the one to its right for military Mandarins. The first two courtyards are peaceful havens of ancient trees and well trimmed lawns where the scholars could relax away from the bustle of the city outside the thick stone walls.

Entrance to the third courtyard is through the dominating Khue Van Cac, a large pavilion built in 1802. Central to the this courtyard is the Thien Quang Tinh ("Well Of Heavenly Clarity") either side of which stand two great halls which house the true treasures of the temple. These are 82 stone stelae, another 34 are believed to have been lost over the years, they sit upon stone tortoises and are inscribed names and birth places of 1306 men who were awarded doctorates from the triennial examinations held here at the Quoc Tu Giam ("National University") between 1484 and 1780 when the capital was moved to Hue.

The fourth courtyard in bordered on either side by great pavilions which once contained altars to 72 of Confucius greatest students but which now contain offices, a gift shop and a small museum which contains ink wells, pens, books and personal artifacts belonging to some of the students that have studied here through the years. At the far end of the courtyard is the altar with statues of Confucius and his four closest disciples. The fifth courtyard contained the Quoc Tu Giam, Vietnam's first university founded in 1076 King Ly Can Duc, but this was destroyed by French bombing in 1947.

The complex may have undergone a lot of restoration work, most recently in 1920 and again in 1954, but having one of the few remaining examples of later Ly Dynasty (1009-1225) architecture within easy walking distance of Ba Dinh square makes this well worth the minor detour.

[edit] Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam

Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam in Hanoi (the Temple of Literature and National University) is not only a symbol of Confucianism but also an extremely significant cultural and historical vestige of Vietnam and of Hanoi in particular.According to the book the Complete History of the Great Viet: "In the autumn of the year Canh Tuat, the second year of Than Vu (1070), in the 8th lunar month, during the reign of King Ly Thanh Tong, the Temple of Literature was built. The statues of Confucius, his four best disciples (Nhan Uyen, Tang Sam, Khong Tu and Manh Tu) and Chu Cong were carved and 72 other statues of Confucian scholars were painted. Ceremonies were dedicated to them in each of the four seasons. The Crown Princess studied here".

In 1076 King Ly Nhan Tong ordered the building of Quoc Tu Giam (National University) close to Van Mieu to teach the children of mandarins and aristocrats, as well as the best students of the common people.

Although Van Mieu - Quốc Tử Giam has been repaired and restored many times over its 900 years it still preserves its ancient architectural style of successive dynasties and precious relics reflecting the thousand year old civilization. It has, for example, plaques with the inscription of the names of the laureates, the pavilion dedicated to the constellation of literature (Khue Van Cac), the Well of Heavenly Clarity (Thien Quang Tinh), the Great House of Ceremonies, Kowtow Portico and the sanctuary, the Statue of Confucius, the stone dragons, the ancient wall and the ink stone stands. Also still standing are the banyan and frangipani and other secular trees which witnessed the many festivals, offerings ceremonies, literary discussions, study sessions and examinations under the Ly, Tran and Le dynasties.

Of particular interest are 82 stone plaques placed on tortoise shells in different styles. They were erected between 1484 and 1780 bearing the names and birth places of 1,306 doctor laureates graduating from 82 examinations held at Quoc Tu Giam in those years.

The erection of the plaques and engraving of the names of the doctor laureates under different dynasties were aimed at encouraging and honouring the talented men.

At present, Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam is being repaired and restored to its original glory in order to emphasize its importance as a historical cultural site for the entire nation and a venue for the traditional, cultural and scientific activities in the capital of Hanoi.