Hầu Đồng (Lên Đồng): Vietnamese Spirit Possession Ritual
An evidence-based introduction to hầu đồng (hau dong / lên đồng / hầu bóng), the Vietnamese spirit possession and mediumship ritual at the heart of Mother Goddess worship.
Lên đồng: a combined ritual practice
During a ceremony, the medium changes robes and attributes to serve successive deities. Assistants manage costume and offerings, while chầu văn musicians invoke the spirits, narrate sacred traditions and follow each incarnation's movement.
More than performance
The music, dance and clothing have artistic value, but practitioners understand the event first as worship. Visitors should seek permission before photographing and follow the host temple's guidance.
Explore the topic guides
- The Four Palaces Pantheon — Deities of Đạo Mẫu
- The Four Palaces (Tứ Phủ) and Mother Goddesses of Đạo Mẫu
- Hầu Đồng (Lên Đồng): Vietnamese Spirit Possession Ritual
- Chầu Văn (Chau Van): Ritual Music of Đạo Mẫu
- Đạo Mẫu Temples: Phủ Dầy, Phủ Tây Hồ and Bảo Hà
- Making an Offering at a Đạo Mẫu Temple — Etiquette and Altar Plan
Core references
- UNESCO — Mother Goddesses of Three Realms
- Ngô Đức Thịnh, Đạo Mẫu Việt Nam.
- Fjelstad & Nguyễn Thị Hiền, Possessed by the Spirits (2006).