The Hidden History of Vietnam’s Marble Mountains

Not everyone knows the interesting folklore and history around the Marble Mountains. I was fortunate enough to hear these stories myself from local people, and they made the place come to life for me.
Join VIET DOVE Travel to discover the Hidden History of Vietnam's Marble Mountains.

The Legend of "Dragon Egg and Golden Turtle" at Marble Mountains

The Fisherman's Fateful Encounter

A long time ago, an old fisherman made his home in a simple hut by the sea. One peaceful day, out of nowhere, a great thunderstorm arrived, and the sea began to churn violently. There's a clash of sound, and out of the clouds and fog, a big dragon appeared.

The Magical Claw and the Evil Men

The dragon landed and laid a huge egg on the surface of the sea, before disappearing. Then, a golden turtle appeared and called himself the "Golden Turtle God." He spoke to the fisherman and kindly asked him to take care of the egg. He gave the fisherman a special, magical claw for protection.
Each day, the egg grew bigger and stronger, attracting evil people. One day, a gang of evil men tried to steal the dragon egg. With the golden turtle's magical claw, the fisherman had the power to turn into a great tiger and scare the bad men away.

The Girl from the Egg and the Birth of the Mountains

Later, the egg hatched into a beautiful girl, and after her shells turned into the six mountains surrounding the area. The fisherman took care of the girl until she was fully grown, and she then married the king. The Golden Turtle God eventually took the fisherman away, back to sea.
That’s the story of Marble Mountains. Legends might not be real, but they are fun and deeply connected to people’s lives.
A Private Spiritual Journey to Marble Mountains & Lady Buddha Statue from Hoi An is a nice way to feel these stories while exploring.

The Meaning of the Names Marble Mountains (5 element mountains)

Five Element Theory in Vietnamese Beliefs

King Minh Mang named these mountains after the five elements of the universe: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. These names looked at the cycle and connection of the elements in the universe.

What Is Your Element? Discover Your Lucky Colors

One cool thing that I heard is based on your birth year in Chinese and Vietnamese. You will know your element and your lucky colors.
For instance, your birth year is 1998. Thus, your element is Earth, and using colors yellow or brown would support you in your life and career. This made me curious about my element as well.

The Remarkable History of Marble Mountains

From Ocean Islands to Sacred Peaks

Before becoming the Marble Mountains, they were islands in the open ocean before the continents shifted and the mountains became part of Vietnam.

A Refuge During Storms and War

In the 15th century, the natives suffered significant natural disasters (ie, storms and floods). One of the ways they protected themselves from the storms and floods locally was by using these mountains as a place of shelter and refuge.
During this timeframe, small shrines to the Buddha were brought to these mountains for prayer.
It's also where the Vietnamese used to fight and live during the wars.

Looking for information about the lady buddha da nang entrance fee? Good news — entrance is completely free, allowing you to explore this spiritual landmark and enjoy panoramic views over Da Nang without any cost.

Royal Patronage: Minh Mang and the Pagodas

By the 18th century, the Marble Mountains became more famous. By the 19th century, King Minh Mang visited and then commanded the construction and restoration of the famous pagodas of Linh Ung and Tam Thai.
This was the historical beginning of the Marble Mountains you see today; a special place for the locals.
While moving through these sites, I felt a deep connection with centuries of history. A Peaceful Journey to Marble Mountains & Lady Buddha from Hoi An will allow you to see this history as well in real-time.

Conclusion: Discover the Spirit Behind the Stone

In continuing to this day, these mountains remain a symbol of Da Nang’s natural beauty and spirituality. Thank you for joining with VIET DOVE Travel in unveiling Hidden History Behind Vietnam’s Marble Mountains. We wish you a memorable visit to Marble Mountains!

• Ready to explore the soul of Da Nang’s sacred mountains?
• Book your Private Spiritual Journey to Marble Mountains & Lady Buddha Statue from Hoi An for a meaningful cultural and spiritual experience.
• If you prefer a more relaxed pace? Try A Peaceful Journey to Marble Mountains & Lady Buddha from Hoi An.

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