THE HORSE AS A CULTURAL SYMBOL: A GLOBAL AND VIETNAMESE PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

This paper examined the transformation and adaptation of the horse symbol from global cultural contexts into Vietnam. While Western and nomadic cultures associate the horse with military power, conquest, and knightly status, in Vietnam it underwent profound localization. From a ‘war horse’ linked to national heroes, it entered the spiritual realm of agrarian society, becoming a sacred figure in folk beliefs and the artistic heritage of temples, pagodas, and communal houses. The study highlighted how the Vietnamese internalize universal values, enriching national cultural identity and contributing to the global heritage discourse.