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   Vietnam > Hoi An > Hoi An > Japanese Covered Bridge > Statue of a monkey
Statue of a monkey

Statue of a monkey





Artist : Anonymous

Model : Singe

Material : Fruit tree wood
UNESCO World Heritage Site (Définitif) : 1999

Item 12 on 14
Bridge(s)
Sculpture (Animal)

Area related
Hoi An (Vietnam)

Description   

At each end of the bridge is a pair of statues, one of them dogs and the other monkeys. These statues are carved in jackfruit wood. In front of each statue, there is a vase with joss-sticks. Some people explain that their presence by the fact that the construction of the bridge started the year of the Monkey and ended the year of the Dog. Ithers says that it is linked to the Japanese tradition. According to oriental belief, plagues (earthquakes, floods and dryness) are caused by a sea monster which head is in Japan, body in Vietnam and tail in China. It is called Mamazu by the Japanese, Cau Long by the Chinese and Con Cu by the Viernamese. Every time it moves, its provokes some natural catastrophes. The statues on the bridge might have been put here by the Japanese to control this monster, since the dog and the monkey are sacred animals according to their Totem religion. Other legend is said that the construction started in the year of the Monkey, and finished the year of the Dod, according to Chinese calendar.
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Statue of a monkey
Anonyme
Singe