Rituals, Talismanic Practices And Sacred Space In Vietnamese Communal Houses: The Influence Of Daoism Talismanic Practices On The Worship Of The Village Tutelary Deity

Abstract

Abstract: This study examines the relationship between ritual practices, talismanic practices, and sacred space in Vietnamese communal houses, thereby elucidating the influence of Daoism talismanic practices (道教符术, Dàojiào fúshù) on the worship of the village tutelary deity. Adopting a qualitative and interpretive approach, the article draws on historical sources, ethnographic materials, studies of folk culture, and international scholarship on Daoism (道教, Dàojiào) to explore the mechanisms through which sacredness is constructed, activated, and reproduced within the communal house setting. The findings suggest that the Vietnamese communal house should not be understood merely as a static religious–architectural institution; rather, it can be conceptualized as a multi-layered ritual–symmetrical field in which sacredness emerges through the interaction of spatial arrangements, ritual performances, symbolic systems, and talismanic practices. In this context, Daoism talismanic elements particularly talismans (符, fú), incantations (咒, zhòu), and sacred inscriptions-are not only symbolic artifacts but also function as semiotic technologies that activate, mediate, and reinforce sacred power within ritual processes. At the same time, the study highlights the hybrid character of village tutelary deity worship, reflecting the layering and interaction of Daoism traditions, indigenous shamanistic practices, and the socio-cultural structure of the Vietnamese village community. In contemporary contexts, talismanic practices tend to shift from a focus on ritual efficacy toward symbolic and heritage-oriented functions. However, this transformation does not necessarily entail a decline in sacredness; rather, it represents a process of re-signification within changing socio-cultural environments. By re-examining the relationship between religion and magic, this study proposes a dynamic analytical model of the interaction between ritual, talismanic practices, and sacred space, contributing to a more nuanced understanding of Vietnamese folk belief systems