The legend I am about to share with you chronicles the origin of the Vietnamese people. It is a tale that has been passed down through generations, even before the thousand years of Chinese occupation. This story is at the core of Vietnamese culture, preserving the identity of the Vietnamese for thousands of years.
Let me take you on a journey filled with magic and wonder. Remember, this is not a literal account, but rather a vivid picture that will ignite your imagination. By the end of this story, you will understand why the Vietnamese people refer to themselves as the seeds of Dragons and the descendants of Fairies. And hey, it’s also a bit of a love story if you’re into that kind of thing!
Happy Reading!
The Legend of Lạc Long Quân
Legend holds that a man named Kinh Dương Vương, also known as King Kinh Dương, descended from a long line of dragons. Long Nu, a female descendant of another dragon clan, was married to Kinh Dương Vương and gave birth to a boy named Lạc Long Quân. Immortal with the dragon lineage, Lạc Long Quân would later be known as the Dragon Prince in Vietnamese history. As he grew older, Lạc Long Quân encountered a beautiful woman named Âu Cơ and fell deeply in love with her.
Their first meeting happened when the Dragon Prince noticed a demonic bird attacking a defenseless white crane. Quick to protect the crane, Lạc Long Quân intervened, using a rock to smash the bird. Enraged, the bird transformed itself into a tiger, fiercely attacking the Dragon Prince. Caught in a violent struggle against an unknown adversary, Lạc Long Quân managed to emerge victorious.
To his surprise, the white crane turned out to be the beautiful Âu Cơ in disguise, fleeing from the predatory abomination that pursued her. This revelation brought them closer together, and the two quickly formed a bond. Âu Cơ, an angelic beauty and descendant of the fairies, was also an immortal like Lạc Long Quân. Together, they created a family and became the parents of one hundred sons. Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ presided over the mountains and rivers of the land, while their children carried the blood of dragons and the charm of fairies.
However, as time passed, Âu Cơ began to yearn for her skyward home, while Lạc Long Quân started to miss his life at sea. Eventually, the two lovers decided to part ways. Princess Âu Cơ took fifty of their children and retreated to the mountains, while Lạc Long Quân brought the other fifty sons to coastal regions near the sea. These children, descendants of the dragon clans and fairies, would inhabit the mountains and rivers of the south, becoming the originators of the Vietnamese people.
And that, my friend, is the beautiful and mythical tale that accounts for the birth of the Vietnamese people. It is a story etched into the hearts and minds of every Vietnamese person, a testament to their history and heritage.
Cảm ơn (Thank you) for joining me on this enchanting journey through Vietnamese folklore. May you continue to explore the rich narratives that shape the world around us.
Tags: Ancient Vietnam, Au Co, Lac Long Quan, Vietnamese Folklore, Vietnamese Legends, Vietnamese Myths
