One Pillar Pagoda

Temple in Hanoi

One-pillar-pagoda

One Pillar Pagoda, also known as Dien Huu Pagoda or Lien Hoa Dai, was built in 1049 by Ly Thai Tong (1028-1054), a king of the Ly dynasty. Its name translates to “long happiness and prosperity.” In Vietnamese, the One Pillar Pagoda is called Nhat Tru Thap.

History of One Pillar Pagoda

According to legend, King Ly Thai Tong, who was without a child, often prayed to Buddha for a son. One night, he dreamt of Quan Am Bo Tat, the Goddess of Mercy, sitting on a lotus pond and handing him a baby. Shortly after, the queen gave birth to a prince. In gratitude, the king constructed the One Pillar Pagoda, designed to resemble a lotus blossom, in honor of Quan Am Bo Tat. In 1105, King Ly Nhan Tong renovated and expanded the pagoda, adding Linh Chieu Lake. The pagoda suffered destruction in 1954 by French colonialists but was restored by the municipal government in 1955. Recognized as a National Historic Heritage in 1962, it was also named “The Pagoda with the Most Unique Architecture in Asia” by the Asia Record Organization in 2012.

Architecture of One Pillar Pagoda

The pagoda’s architecture is a cultural and spiritual symbol of Hanoi. Its unique design features the entire structure perched on a single stone pillar, symbolizing a lotus blossom. The stone pillar is composed of two skillfully stacked blocks, measuring 1.2 meters in diameter and 4 meters in height. Above the pillar, eight wooden beams form a sturdy support for the pagoda, which appears as a single, solid structure. The Lien Hoa Dai, a wooden square structure, measures three meters on each side and has four curved roofs adorned with dragon heads. The roof is covered with traditional red and mossy tiles, reflecting the meticulous craftsmanship involved. The pagoda sits in the center of a lotus pond, surrounded by four short walls. Access to the pagoda is via a staircase with thirteen steps, flanked by brick-tiled walls with stone steles introducing its history. Inside, the statue of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva (Quan Thế Âm Bồ Tát) sits on a wooden, red-lacquered throne, accompanied by worshipping objects such as flower vases, thuribles, and candles, creating a solemn religious atmosphere.

Special Meaning Behind the Architecture

Located within the cluster of Ho Chi Minh relics, the One Pillar Pagoda attracts numerous tourists annually. Its unique architecture combines spectacular ideas with philosophical meanings. The round pillar represents the sky and Yang, while the square pond represents the earth and Yin, symbolizing the law of circulation in the universe. From a distance, the pagoda resembles a lotus flower emerging from the water’s surface, symbolizing intelligence, virtue, and the elevated personality of the Vietnamese people. This iconic symbol of Hanoi has appeared in various media, including the 5,000 Vietnamese dong coin.

The One Pillar Pagoda appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Hanoi!

This website uses affiliate links which may earn a commission at no additional cost to you!

Visiting One Pillar Pagoda

Hours:

08:00 – 17:00 (every day)


Price:

Free

Address: One Pillar Pagoda, Phố Chùa Một Cột, Đội Cấn, Ba Đình, Hanoi, Vietnam
Powered by GetYourGuide

Nearby Attractions

Similar Blogs