Âu Cơ


Âu Cơ was, according to the creation myth of the Vietnamese people, an immortal mountain fairy who married Lạc Long Quân, and bore an egg sac that hatched a hundred children known collectively as Bách Việt, ancestors to the Vietnamese people. Âu Cơ is often honored as the mother of Vietnamese civilization.

Mythology

Âu Cơ was a young, beautiful fairy who lived high in the mountains. She traveled to help those who suffered from sicknesses since she was very skillful in medicine and had a sympathetic heart. One day, a monster suddenly appeared before her while she was on her traveling, it then frightened her, so she tried to escape by transforming into a crane to fly away. Lạc Long Quân, the dragon king from the sea, passed by and saw the beautiful lady in danger, so he grabbed a rock from nearby and killed the monster. When Âu Cơ stopped flying to see the very person that saved her, she turned back into a fairy and instantly fell in love with her benefactor. She soon bore an egg sac, from which hatched a hundred children. However, despite their love for each other, Âu Cơ had always desired to be in the mountains again and Lạc Long Quân, too, yearned for the sea. They separated, each taking 50 children. Âu Cơ settled in mountainous northern Vietnam where she raised fifty young, intelligent, strong leaders, later known as the Hùng Vương, Hùng kings.

In Vietnamese literature

The books Đại Việt sử ký toàn thư and Lĩnh Nam chích quái mention the legend. In Đại Việt sử ký toàn thư Âu Cơ is the daughter of Đế Lai, while in Lĩnh Nam chích quái she is the wife of Đế Lai. The story of Âu Cơ and Lạc Long Quân is taught widely in Vietnamese schools.
In her pamphlet about the Vietnam War, called simply "Vietnam", the American author Mary McCarthy mentions the use of the Vietnamese creation myth by American agents seeking to rally patriotic support for South Vietnam.