Material: Wood

Date: Lê Dynasty

Dimensions:

Length: 46

Height: 41

Nghê at Đại Thành gate during Lê dynasty (around the 15th to 17th century) is a mythical and sacred creature. They are used as the door hinges.

The Đại Thành gate is the entrance gate to the Đại Bái yard and the Đại Thành sanctuary. On the back of each Nghê is a round hole carved to form the door hinges. The two wooden mythical creatures are lacquered, with wide mouths and smiling faces revealing upper teeth and bearded lower chins. They have bulging eyes, the mane resembling a dagger on the head, and in kneeling posture. The stone mythical creatures also have wide smiling mouths, exposed fangs, the mouth holding a gem, twisted beards on the lower chin, a large nose, bulging eyes, the mane on the head and back of the head, and a curled-up tail shaped like a leaf. They are kneeling on pedestals.

According to Eastern beliefs, Nghê - mythical creatures are considered gatekeepers with the ability to detect good and evil people, reminding humans to act and behave in a positive way.

Nghê at Đại Thành gate are among the valuable artifacts preserved at the Special National Landmark Văn Miếu - Quốc Tử Giám.