Âu Cơ (Han tu: 嫗姬), according to the creation myth of the Vietnamese people, was an immortal mountain fairy who married Lạc Long Quân (literally: "Dragon Lord of Lac"), and bore an egg sac that hatched a hundred children known collectively as Bach Viet, ancestors to the Vietnamese people. Âu Cơ is often honored as the mother of Vietnamese civilization.
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[edit] Mythology
Âu Cơ was a young, beautiful fairy that lived high in the mountains. She traveled to heal those who suffered because she was skillful in medicine and had a sympathetic heart.
One day, a monster frightened her, so she turned into a crane to fly away. Lac Long Quan, a dragon king from the sea, saw her in danger, so he grabbed a rock and killed the monster. When Âu Cơ stopped to see who helped her, she turned back into a fairy and fell instantly in love with Lac Long Quan.
She bore an egg sac from which hatched 100 children. However, despite their love, she desired to be in the mountains again and he yearned for the sea. They separated, each taking 50 children. Âu Cơ settled in Vietnam because she was amazed by the land, and it was here that she raised the 50 young, intelligent, strong leaders, latter known as the Hung Kings.
[edit] In Vietnamese literature
The books Đại Việt sử ký toàn thư (from the 15th century) and Lĩnh Nam chích quái ("Wonders plucked from the dust of Linh-nam", from the 14th century) mention the legend.[1] In the first source Âu Cơ is the daughter of Đế Lai, while in Lĩnh Nam chích quái she is the wife of Đế Lai.
[edit] Importance of Âu Cơ
This legendary story is very important to many Vietnamese people for numerous reasons. Some interpret the story to imply a strong national unity and cultural tolerance. Other women and historians interpret the story to mean that matriarchal societies did exist and are equal to patriarchal societies. Vietnamese women view her as a heroine and as a symbol to fight for their nation and their rights.
[edit] References
- Friedman, Amy, “One Hundred Kings a Legend of Ancient Vietnam,” South Florida Sun Sentinel, 12 July 2005, pg. 8.
- Taylor, Sandra C. , Vietnamese Women at War (Kansas: University Press of Kansas, 1999).
- Turner, Karen Gottschang, Even the Women Must Fight (New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1998).
- Willing, Indigo A Williams, “The Adopted Vietnamese Community: From Fairy Tales to the Diaspora,” Michigan Quarterly Review 43, no. 4 (2004).
- ^ Keith Weller Taylor: The Birth of Vietnam. Revision of thesis (Ph.D.). Appendix A, page 303. University of California Press (1991). ISBN 0520074173
[edit] External links
- Vietnamese Myths & Legends
- http://www.ancientsites.com/aw/Post/204107
- http://asiarecipe.com/vietorigin.html
- http://www.civilization.ca/cultur/vietnam/vitim02e.html
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