A Study of the Merits of the Tutelary Deities of the former Hung Yen Province through Historical Documents Preserved at the Institute Hán-Nôm Studies and the Institute of Social Sciences Information

Abstract

Research on the archive of folk legends of deities at the Institute of Hán-Nôm Studies (code as AE) and the Institute of Social Sciences Information (code as TTTS), Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, reveals that the tutelary deities of the former Hung Yen province are categorized into three types: angelic deities, deified human, gods of mountain and water. However, there are no tutelary gods associated with Stone, Tree, Forest, or Earth (Earth gods)... Statistics from 36 records show that the former Hung Yen province had a total of 52 tutelary deities. Most tutelary deities are meritorious officials who fought against invaders, quelled rebellions, and served the country and its people. These angelic deities and deified human make up the majority. Angelic deities are mythical figures, not real historical beings, who often secretly assist the king and his court in fighting invaders. Deified human are heroic figures who protect the country and shelter its people. However, this classification is only relative.