A pair of ritual parrots, gilded wood, 16th – 17th centuries AD. Thanh Hoa province
A pair of ritual parrots, gilded wood, 16th – 17th centuries AD. Thanh Hoa province.
In the history of Vietnamese feudal regimes, intelligence, wisdom, and stability were highly praised through such symbols as pairs of a ritual lac bird and tortoise. However, in the 16th – 17th centuries, rare pairs of ritual parrot and tortoise appeared (mostly in Thanh Hoa region). The parrots are presented as a male and female pair. They are beautifully carved and decorated with colourful feathers. The male parrot’s crest is sophisticately carved while the female’s crest is neat and simple. Especially, parrots became sacred birds which were closely related to Lord Trinh. These parrots not only reflect fertility belief of the wet rice cultivators but also illustrate the soul and aspiration for a peaceful life of the Viet people.