Eight Pointed stars

hmong vietnam

“Profound spiritual fence, safeguarding against any malevolent spirits that may seek to intrude.”

Surrounded by the captivating presence of eight pointed stars as the symbol of fences, this pattern commonly used in textile decoration of the Hmong to safeguard against any malevolent spirits that may seek to intrude. As its name implies, this piece represents the need for safety and security within our community, especially in the mountainous regions that have long been plagued by dangerous creatures, diseases, and wars. This motif showcases carefully constructed fences made mostly of horizontal lines in various shades of blue, blending gracefully from light sky to deep navy. These lines interweave with larger white sections, resembling the eyes within a network of protective barriers. Just like unwavering Hmong community strength, these lines, layers, and sections symbolize the strong and dense fences required to ensure the collective well-being. 

NOTE: All contents (text and images)  are protected by Vietnam cultural property law. This documentation is intended for educational purposes and to support the preservation of Southeast Asian textile heritage. Any use of published materials is permitted only with attribution to this website as the original source.