The worship of the Mother Goddess (Đạo Mẫu) is an ancient and deeply Vietnamese form of folk belief. When speaking of this tradition, one immediately thinks of the veneration of supreme female deities, honored as Thánh Mẫu (Holy Mothers) or Quốc Mẫu (National Mothers). However, within Đạo Mẫu, worship is not limited to the Mothers alone but extends to an entire system of deities arranged in a strict hierarchy, expressed in the ritual sequence of hầu đồng (spirit possession séances) when mediums invoke the Thánh Mẫu, Chúa Bà, Quan Lớn, Chầu Bà, Quan Hoàng, Tiên Cô, Thánh Cậu, and others.
In the temples and shrines of Đạo Mẫu, there are usually many altars to deities, especially the Jade Emperor (Ngọc Hoàng), flanked by Nam Tào and Bắc Đẩu. However, during possession rituals, the Jade Emperor is not invoked; instead, only the following categories of deities are called upon:
A. The Three Holy Mothers (Tam Tòa Thánh Mẫu)
Excluding the Jade Emperor, the Three Mothers are the highest-ranking deities in the Mother Goddess religion. In hầu đồng, they must be invoked before all others. However, when calling the Mothers, the medium is not allowed to unveil the ritual veil (khăn phủ diện), but only “swings the shadow” (đảo bóng) and bids farewell—an unbreakable rule. Only after the Mothers’ séances may the veil be lifted, beginning with the Trần Triều pantheon.
According to ancient belief, the three Mothers manifest as the first three Chầu Bà (Ladies-in-Waiting). Thus, the Three Chầu are considered incarnations of the Three Mothers.
The Three Mothers of the Four Palaces are:
• The First Mother of Heaven (Mẫu Đệ Nhất Thiên Tiên):
Also known as Cửu Trùng Thanh Vân Công Chúa or Princess Liễu Hạnh. Her main shrine complex is Phủ Dầy in Vụ Bản, Nam Định (festival on the 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month), believed to be her earthly descent site, with shrines such as Phủ Chính, Phủ Công Đồng, and Phủ Bóng. Other important sites include Đền Sòng in Thanh Hóa and Phủ Tây Hồ in Hanoi.
• The Second Mother of the Highlands (Mẫu Đệ Nhị Thượng Ngàn):
Known as Princess Đông Cuông, she governs the forests and mountains. Her principal temple is Đền Đông Cuông in Tuần Quán, Yên Bái.
• The Third Mother of Water Palaces (Mẫu Đệ Tam Thoải Cung):
Known as Princess Xích Lân Long Nữ, daughter of King Bát Hải Động Đình. She rules rivers, seas, and water sources of Vietnam. Temples in her honor are often built at river mouths and coastal areas, praying for calm waters.
B. The Trần Triều Deities
Folk tradition says: “Tháng tám hội Cha, tháng ba hội Mẹ” (“The Father’s festival is in the 8th lunar month, the Mother’s in the 3rd”). Here “Mother” refers to Liễu Hạnh, while “Father” refers to Trần Hưng Đạo (Saint Trần), along with the Trần Triều pantheon.
In popular belief, the Mother Goddess pantheon (Tam Tòa Thánh Mẫu) and Trần Triều are in opposition. Only mediums with a destined spiritual mandate may invoke Trần Triều deities after the Mothers; otherwise, they are usually not called.
The Trần Triều pantheon includes:
• Saint Trần Hưng Đạo (Đức Thánh Ông Trần Triều):
Venerated as a protector who banishes demons and disease. His greatest temple is Đền Kiếp Bạc in Chí Linh, Hải Dương (festival on the 20th day of the 8th lunar month).
• The First Princess (Đệ Nhất Vương Cô):
Eldest daughter of Trần Hưng Đạo. Rarely invoked.
• The Second Princess (Đệ Nhị Vương Cô):
Second daughter of Trần Hưng Đạo. Known for exorcistic powers; during séances, mediums may perform the fire-eating ritual (ăn lửa) to banish spirits.
C. The Three Lady Chúa Mường (Tam Vị Chúa Mường)
These are virtuous women who helped the people and court, later deified.
• First Lady of Heaven (Chúa Đệ Nhất Thượng Thiên / Chúa Tây Thiên)
• Second Lady of the Moon Lake (Chúa Đệ Nhị Nguyệt Hồ)
• Third Lady of Lâm Thao (Chúa Đệ Tam Lâm Thao)
Each is honored at respective temples and festivals, symbolizing benevolence, prophecy, and healing.
D. The Five Great Lords (Ngũ Vị Tôn Ông – Công Đồng Quan Lớn)
Five (sometimes six) princely generals governing the Four Palaces. They include:
• Quan Đệ Nhất (First Lord, of Heaven)
• Quan Đệ Nhị (Second Lord, Inspector of the Forests, worshipped at Đền Quan Giám, Lạng Sơn)
• Quan Đệ Tam (Third Lord, of the Waters, son of King Bát Hải Động Đình, associated with the Lục Đầu River temples)
• Quan Đệ Tứ (Fourth Lord, Heavenly Envoy)
• Quan Tuần Tranh (Fifth Lord, coastal general, worshipped at Đền Tuần Tranh and Đền Kì Cùng)
• Quan Điều Thất (Seventh Lord, invoked in some regions)
E. The Twelve Ladies-in-Waiting (Tứ Phủ Chầu Bà)
Noblewomen and female generals deified after death, each governing realms of mountains, rivers, or human affairs. Notable ones include:
• Chầu Đệ Nhất Thượng Thiên (First Lady of Heaven)
• Chầu Đệ Nhị Thượng Ngàn (Second Lady of the Highlands, with the Trình Trầu ritual at Đền Đông Cuông)
• Chầu Đệ Tam Thoải Cung (Third Lady of Water Palaces, sometimes replaced by Chúa Thác Bờ of the Đà River)
• Chầu Đệ Tứ Khâm Sai (Fourth Lady, Imperial Envoy)
• Chầu Năm Suối Lân, Chầu Lục Cung Nương, Chầu Bảy Kim Giao, Chầu Tám Bát Nàn (a historic female general), Chầu Chín Cửu Tỉnh, Chầu Mười Mỏ Ba, and various Chầu Bé (Younger Ladies).
G. The Four Palaces Princes (Tứ Phủ Ông Hoàng)
Deified princes and generals, beloved by devotees. Famous ones include:
• Ông Hoàng Cả (First Prince, eldest son of the Heavenly Father)
• Ông Hoàng Đôi (Second Prince, General Triệu Tường, Thanh Hóa)
• Ông Hoàng Bơ (Third Prince of Waters, protector of fishermen)
• Ông Hoàng Bảy Bảo Hà (Seventh Prince, warrior of the northern borders, honored at Đền Bảo Hà, Lào Cai)
• Ông Hoàng Mười Nghệ An (Tenth Prince, poet-general of Nghệ An, worshipped at Đền Chợ Củi)
H. The Four Palaces Maiden Immortals (Tứ Phủ Tiên Cô)
Celestial maidens serving the Mothers, Chúa, and Chầu. They are virtuous women, remembered for their beauty, talent, and loyalty. Notable among them:
• Cô Nhất Thượng Thiên (First Maiden of Heaven, healer and messenger)
• Cô Đôi Thượng Ngàn (Second Maiden of the Highlands, famed disciple, with variants such as Cô Đôi Cam Đường)
• Cô Bơ Hàn Sơn (Third Maiden of Water Palace, daughter of the Dragon King, worshipped at Hàn Sơn, Thanh Hóa)
• Cô Tư Ỷ La, Cô Năm Suối Lân, Cô Sáu Sơn Trang, Cô Bảy Kim Giao, Cô Tám Đồi Chè, Cô Chín Sòng Sơn, among others.
👉 The text continues further with detailed descriptions of each deity’s shrine, attire, ritual symbolism, and associated festivals.
