DOCTORS STELAE
Văn Miếu- Quốc Tử Giám has preserved 82 stelae of doctorates which recorded the names and native places of 1,307 graduates of 82 Royal exams (81 exams held by Lê dynasty and one exam by Mạc dynasty) held from 1442 to 1779.
The stelae were first set up in 1484 under King Lê Thánh Tông to honor the talents and encourage the study of contemporary generations and generations to come. The stelae, erected soon after the exam or some years later, were carved of dark blue stone of different sizes and engraved with elaborate motifs.
The works of listerature engraved on each stelae in ancient Chinese praise the merits of the King and cite the reason for holding Royal exams. Also included on the stelae were the number of candidates and the functions of the mandarins whose task it was to oganize the exams and engrave the names and birthplaces of successful candidates.
The stelae of doctor laureates were placed on tortoise shells. The tortoise is one of the country’s four holy creatures, along with the dragon, unicorn and phoenix (Long – Ly – Quy – Phượng), which can live a long and healthy life. The placement of the doctors’stelae shows everlasting respect to talent. The shape of the tortoise changed with the passing of time.
The doctors stelae are a valuable historical resource for the study of culture, education and sculpture in Việt Nam.
If you want to visit Temple of Literature, you can refer to Hanoi city tour 1 day with Viet unique
In addition to Temple of Literature will be visiting Hoa Lo prison, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Museum of Ethnography
