The legend of the Dragon and the Fairy, as recorded in the "Đại Việt Sử Ký Toàn Thư" by historian Ngô Sĩ Liên and other scholars, tells the tale of Lạc Long Quân and Âu Cơ, the legendary ancestors of the Vietnamese people. Lạc Long Quân, also known by his birth name Sùng Lãm, was the son of Kinh Dương Vương. He married Âu Cơ, the daughter of the celestial ruler Đế Lai, and together, they founded the Bách Việt tribe.
Long ago, in the land of Lạc Việt, the people faced constant trouble from many fierce and malicious creatures. To protect the villagers, Lạc Long Quân, a powerful being descended from dragons, would occasionally leave his underwater realm to fight off these monsters. Not only did he defend the land, but he also taught the people agriculture, animal husbandry, and proper ways of living.
In the distant northern mountains, Âu Cơ, a beautiful woman from the legendary Shen Nong clan, heard tales of the breathtaking landscapes and exotic flora of Lạc Việt. Intrigued, she visited the land, where fate led her to meet Lạc Long Quân. The two fell deeply in love and became husband and wife, living together in a grand palace on land.
The Birth of a New Generation
Soon after, Âu Cơ became pregnant and gave birth to a bag filled with one hundred eggs, which hatched into one hundred sons. These children grew at an astonishing rate, each one strong and healthy. However, because Lạc Long Quân was born of the sea, he felt the need to return to his underwater home, unable to live on land permanently. With a heavy heart, he bid farewell to Âu Cơ with a promise: "We will meet again when the time comes."
Lạc Long Quân took fifty of their sons to the sea, while Âu Cơ took the other fifty to the mountains. The children were divided to govern the land, with the eldest son becoming the first king of the nation. He adopted the title Hùng Vương and established his capital at Phong Châu, naming the country Văn Lang. This marked the beginning of the era of the Hùng Kings, the founding dynasty of Vietnam.
The Legacy of the Dragon and the Fairy
This legend is a powerful symbol of the Vietnamese people’s pride and identity, encapsulating the belief that they are the descendants of the Dragon (Lạc Long Quân) and the Fairy (Âu Cơ). To this day, the phrase "Con Rồng Cháu Tiên" (Children of the Dragon, Grandchildren of the Fairy) serves as a testament to the nation's deep roots and rich cultural heritage.
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