Den Ngoc Son, or ˉJade Mountain Templeˇ is one of the most revered religious complexes in the capital. Established by the scholarly mandarin Nguyen Van Sieu (17991872) appropriate symbols of learning and literature mark the temple complex. A stylised stone ink slab rests atop the arched gate at the entrance; nearby a tapering stone pillar representing a traditional Chinese brush pen rises through five levels. On its side, three Chinese ideograms proclaim ta thanh thien, or ˉwriting on a clear skyˇ. Beyond the entrance, a red-painted, gracefully arched wooden bridge leads across the still green waters to a small island in the north of the lake. This is the celebrated The Huc or ˉRising Sunˇ Bridge, where groups of Vietnamese children often huddle hoping to catch a glimpse of one of the lakeˇs legendary turtles.