Topic Research: Stories from Vietnam
Story #1: Vietnamese Dragon
Many legends in Vietnam revolve around the mystical dragon creature. Statues of dragons can be found by temples and palaces. The legend speaks of how the king of dragonkind married a goddess who was the daughter of the birdkind king. The legend tells of how 100 eggs were hatched from which bore 100 sons, who ruled over various dynasties throughout the history of Vietnam. I plan to retell the legend from the perspective from one of the kings who were born from the 100 eggs and ruled over Vietnam. I think it'll be a interesting twist to the ancient legend.
Story #2: Thánh Gióng
This folktale stems from rural Vietnamese legends about a boy named Gióng who was born to a poor mother who desperately wanted to bear a child. At three years of age, he was still unable to talk, smile, or walk. However, due to impending attacks from the invaders, the King send out messengers to call his subjects to arms. Magically, Gióng gained the ability to talk and grew into a giant man. He then rode out into battle and defeated the invaders, ascending to Heaven afterwards. I think it'd to interesting to retell this legend form the perspective of one of the common-folk who witnessed this spectacle of Gióng magically growing and defeating the invaders.
Story #3: Liễu Hạnh
This story was particular fascinating, yet confusing at first. Born as a daughter of the Jade Emperor, she was expelled from heaven from dropping the emperor's favorite jade cup. A daughter born to a righteous man, Le Thai Cong, was named Giang Tien, who lived a righteous life of 23 years before she died on the third day of the third month. Giang Tien arrived to Heaven and was granted the title of Princess Liễu Hạnh. Glossing over her other adventures back to earth, she eventually returned to earth with two other fairies, blessing those who were good and bringing destruction upon those who were not. I think it will be interesting to write about the legend from the perspective of the Jade Emperor, as he oversaw her activities and actions when she returned back to earth.
Many legends in Vietnam revolve around the mystical dragon creature. Statues of dragons can be found by temples and palaces. The legend speaks of how the king of dragonkind married a goddess who was the daughter of the birdkind king. The legend tells of how 100 eggs were hatched from which bore 100 sons, who ruled over various dynasties throughout the history of Vietnam. I plan to retell the legend from the perspective from one of the kings who were born from the 100 eggs and ruled over Vietnam. I think it'll be a interesting twist to the ancient legend.
Vietnamese Dragon Roof Decoration - Courtesy of Waymarking
Story #2: Thánh Gióng
This folktale stems from rural Vietnamese legends about a boy named Gióng who was born to a poor mother who desperately wanted to bear a child. At three years of age, he was still unable to talk, smile, or walk. However, due to impending attacks from the invaders, the King send out messengers to call his subjects to arms. Magically, Gióng gained the ability to talk and grew into a giant man. He then rode out into battle and defeated the invaders, ascending to Heaven afterwards. I think it'd to interesting to retell this legend form the perspective of one of the common-folk who witnessed this spectacle of Gióng magically growing and defeating the invaders.
Story #3: Liễu Hạnh
This story was particular fascinating, yet confusing at first. Born as a daughter of the Jade Emperor, she was expelled from heaven from dropping the emperor's favorite jade cup. A daughter born to a righteous man, Le Thai Cong, was named Giang Tien, who lived a righteous life of 23 years before she died on the third day of the third month. Giang Tien arrived to Heaven and was granted the title of Princess Liễu Hạnh. Glossing over her other adventures back to earth, she eventually returned to earth with two other fairies, blessing those who were good and bringing destruction upon those who were not. I think it will be interesting to write about the legend from the perspective of the Jade Emperor, as he oversaw her activities and actions when she returned back to earth.
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