(VOVworld) – The Dao Lo Gang are one of the Dao branches practicing Taoism which worships many saints and genies. Taoism rituals include funerals, weddings, ceremonies to acknowledge a boy becoming a man, and family and clan ceremonies. Devotional pictures, considered the embodiment of the genies, play an important role in these ceremonies.

A set of 18 devotional pictures of the Dao displayed at an exhibition in Quang Ninh (photo: baoquangninh.com.vn)

The devotional pictures illustrate primitive Dao notions of the formation of the universe and relations between humans and other beings. Genies have supernatural powers which influence all aspects of life. Trieu Nhu Hong lives in Hop Tien commune, Dong Hy district, Thai Nguyen province.“The devotional pictures portray genies in heaven and hell. We have pictures of all the genies. We think heaven and hell have the same rank of genies with the same tasks.”

Some devotional pictures are similar to those of the Tay, Nung, and San Diu - for example, the Thunder, Rain, Wind, and Cloud genies. Shaman Dang Hong of Dong Hy district says the Dao Lo Gang have devotional pictures for every ceremony. “Every household altar has a set of devotional pictures. We have 4 festivals a year. The relatives bring bottles of wine and roosters to contribute to the offerings.”

Vice Chairman of Hop Tien commune’s People’s Committee, Ban Phuc Te, said the pictures show the Dao people’s beliefs and convey educational messages. The Dao Lo Gang think the genies can see through everything people do and will punish people for immoral behaviors. The solemn and fierce pictures of the Four Marshals are believed to eliminate bad thinking and black schemes in one’s mind.

New devotional pictures are drawn several months before a festival. Mr. Te said: “We have to invite a shaman to draw the pictures. We then prepare an offering consisting of a rooster and pork and pray for a day for a blessing on the pictures. We have a festival where the elders teach their children about the Dao language, the meaning of the pictures, and the traditions."

In the Dao tradition, many relatives and neighbors attend a family ceremony and explain to each other the meaning of the devotional pictures hung all over the walls.