Question 59: Why does the Hộ Pháp statue stand on the Seven-Headed Serpent?  

The Seven-Headed Serpent (Thất đầu xà) is placed at Caodaist Judicial Body (Hiệp Thiên Đài), Tây Ninh Holy See, where the statues of the three generals of Đức Chí Tôn — Hộ Pháp, Thượng Phẩm, and Thượng Sanh — are located.

The seven-headed serpent coils around the Cẩm Đôn, and the statues of these three figures stand upon it.

From the base of Hộ Pháp’s pedestal, three heads of the serpent look upward, inscribed with the words: HỈ (Joy), ÁI (Love), LẠC (Happiness).

The remaining four heads bend downward, with the tail wrapping around the throne of Đức Thượng Sanh and coiling over the throne of Đức Thượng Phẩm, inscribed with: AI (Sorrow), Ố (Hatred), NỘ (Anger), DỤC (Desire).

Explanation by Đức Phạm Hộ Pháp when sanctifying the Seven-Headed Serpent:

•  The seven-headed serpent symbolizes the Seven Emotions (Thất Tình) in humans.

•  The three upward heads behind Hộ Pháp represent the positive emotions: Hỉ (Joy), Lạc (Happiness), Ái (Love). Practitioners should cultivate and uplift these three emotions.

•  The four downward heads represent the negative emotions: Ai (Sorrow), Nộ (Anger), Ố (Hatred), Dục (Desire). These must be subdued, not allowed to rise.

During ritual practice:

When Đức Hộ Pháp stands, it represents Chuyển pháp (Active⁄Transforming the Law).

When sitting, it represents Trụ pháp (Maintaining⁄Supporting the Law). While seated, two feet press down on Ai (Sorrow) and Nộ (Anger), and two hands press down on Ố (Hatred) and Dục (Desire).

The seven emotions exist in every human being, from emperors to ordinary people. A person must regulate these emotions wisely according to their level of cultivation, so as not to harm themselves or their life’s work.

Key teachings of Đức Chí Tôn:

Love is the key to open the Thirty-Six Heavens and access the Bạch Ngọc Kinh (White Jade Palace). Hatred and negative emotions create division, destroy relationships, and separate family and community.

Đức Chí Tôn taught:

“If you do not have the strength to love one another, you will not have the strength to hate either.”

When Hộ Pháp sits on the throne with his hands and feet pressing the serpent heads, it symbolizes the subjugation of the Seven Emotions (Thất Tình).

Practitioners of Cao Đài must cultivate the three positive emotions (Hỉ, Ái, Lạc) while subduing the four negative emotions (Dục, Ai, Ố, Nộ).

Đức Hộ Pháp further teaches:

“Be joyful when joyful, sorrowful when sorrowful, but do not let the venom of joy or sorrow affect your true nature.”

In essence: standing on the Seven-Headed Serpent symbolizes mastery over one’s emotions — uplifting love and happiness, while restraining desire, sorrow, anger, and hatred — to maintain spiritual harmony and ethical conduct.