Stone stele records of imperial examinations of the Lê and Mạc dynasties, Historic stone records at Temple of Literature, Vietnam
The Stone stele records of imperial examinations of the Lê and Mạc dynasties consist of 82 inscribed stone tablets, each mounted on a turtle base, housed at the Temple of Literature in Hanoi. The tablets document the names and examination results of scholars who attained the highest academic rank over nearly three centuries.
The first tablet was erected in 1484 under Emperor Lê Thánh Tông to honor graduates of the highest examination level. The tradition continued through several reigns and concluded in 1780 during the late Lê dynasty period.
The stelae from the Lê and Mạc dynasties preserve the names and hometowns of successful examination candidates carved in Chinese characters. Each inscription follows a fixed layout and also records the name of the examiner and the year of the ceremony.
The stone tablets are displayed outdoors in the third courtyard of the temple, where visitors can walk around them and view the inscriptions up close. The area provides shade and benches for rest, making it easier to spend time examining them.
The turtle base of each tablet symbolizes longevity and wisdom in Vietnamese tradition, with each turtle showing individual stonework. Originally there were more stelae, but many were lost during wars and upheavals in the region.
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