The Legend of Lac Long Quan and Au Co

    By XUAN KIEN

    The Legend of Lac Long Quan and Au Co cover image

    18 Feb, 2024

    a dragon statue sitting on top of a rock in the water near a waterfall and mountains in the background, fantasy art, a digital painting, Christophe Vacher, dragon art

    Once upon a time, in the land of Lac Viet, there lived a divine being named Lac Long Quan. He was a dragon who usually resided underwater, occasionally venturing onto land, possessing unparalleled strength and miraculous abilities.

    a woman in a green dress standing in a lake surrounded by flowers and mountains with pink flowers in the water, magical realism, a detailed matte painting, Chen Hong, cinematic photography

    In the highlands lived the ethereal beauty, Au Co. Hearing tales of the mesmerizing flora of Lac Viet, she ventured down to explore. It was here that Au Co met Lac Long Quan, and they fell in love.

    a woman in a blue dress with a dragon head on her head and a fish in her mouth, under water, fantasy art, a digital painting, Anne Stokes, dragon art

    The two tied the knot, and soon after, Au Co became pregnant. In a strange twist of fate, she gave birth to a pouch containing a hundred eggs. When the eggs hatched, they revealed a hundred robust and unusually handsome children.

    a dragon is standing in the water near a mountain range with flowers and a pagoda in the background,, fantasy art, a detailed matte painting, Clint Cearley, dragon art

    As time passed, the children grew quickly, their radiant faces full of vigor, their strength rivaling that of the gods. Their parents watched with pride as they flourished into strong individuals.

    a dragon is standing in the water near mountains and rocks, with its mouth open and its wings wide open, fantasy art, concept art, Clint Cearley, dragon art

    However, the differences in their heritage began to create a rift between Lac Long Quan and Au Co. The dragon was drawn to the water, while the fairy longed for the mountains.

    a couple of people standing next to a dragon statue on a lake with mountains in the background and a mountain range in the distance, fantasy art, a detailed matte painting, Evgeny Lushpin, cinematic matte painting

    Lac Long Quan approached Au Co with a proposal. He suggested that they split their children - fifty would go with him to the sea and fifty with her to the mountains.

    a painting of a boat in a lake with a mountain in the background and a boat in the water, fantasy art, a detailed matte painting, Cyril Rolando, matte fantasy painting

    Au Co agreed, understanding that their different backgrounds and customs made it challenging to live together. They made a pact to support each other in times of need and never to forget their promise.

    a group of people riding on top of a boat in a river surrounded by mountains and flowers in the water, art photography, a matte painting, Arie Smit, very beautiful scenery

    And so, their hundred children split up, fifty journeying into the depths of the sea with their father, Lac Long Quan, and fifty ascending the mountains with their mother, Au Co.

    a woman in a yellow dress standing in a garden with flowers in her hair and a wreath of flowers in her hair, cloisonnism, a photorealistic painting, Bian Jingzhao, portrait photography

    These hundred children later became the ancestors of the Vietnamese people. The eldest child who went with Au Co was made king, named Hung Vuong, and established his capital at Phong Chau.

    a large room with a red carpet and gold decorations on the walls and a gold statue on the floor, maximalism, a flemish Baroque, Emperor Huizong of Song, path traced

    Hung Vuong named his kingdom Van Lang. The sons of the king were called Lang, and the daughters were named Mi Nuong. When the king passed away, the throne was passed to the eldest son.

    a group of men sitting on top of a bench in front of a painting of a priest and a statue, academic art, a photorealistic painting, Emperor Huizong of Song, cinematic photography

    This succession continued for several generations, each king taking the title Hung Vuong, ensuring continuity and stability in the kingdom. The people loved and respected their rulers, living in peace under their wise guidance.

    a couple of people sitting on a dragon boat in a lake with mountains in the background and lily pads in the foreground, fantasy art, a detailed matte painting, Arthur Pan, dragon art

    The story of Lac Long Quan and Au Co has been passed down through generations, reminding the Vietnamese people of their extraordinary origins. They take pride in being descendants of a dragon and a fairy.

    a dragon is sitting in the water with a boat in the background and mountains in the background, with lily pads in the foreground, fantasy art, a detailed matte painting, Chen Chi, dragon art

    This legendary tale has fostered a sense of unity among the Vietnamese people. They affectionately refer to each other as 'dong bao', symbolizing their shared ancestry and mutual respect.

    a golden dragon statue sitting on top of a lake next to mountains and flowers in the water with a boat in the background, fantasy art, a detailed matte painting, Anne Stokes, dragon art

    The tale of Lac Long Quan and Au Co is a testament to the Vietnamese spirit - resilient, united, and proud. Their story remains etched in the hearts of the Vietnamese people, reminding them of their rich and unique heritage.

    a dragon statue sitting on top of a lush green field next to a lake filled with pink flowers and trees, fantasy art, a detailed matte painting, Anne Stokes, dragon art

    The descendants of Lac Long Quan and Au Co continue to uphold the values of their divine ancestors, cherishing their cultural heritage, and working together for the prosperity of their homeland.

    a person in a boat on a body of water with mountains in the background and flowers in the foreground, art photography, a matte painting, Arthur Pan, cinematic photography

    Thus, the legacy of Lac Long Quan and Au Co lives on, inspiring generations of Vietnamese people. Their story serves as a beacon of unity and pride, a reminder of the divine roots of the Vietnamese lineage.

    a green dragon statue sitting on top of a rock next to a body of water with mountains in the background, fantasy art, a storybook illustration, Anne Stokes, dragon art

    From the depths of the sea to the heights of the mountains, the Vietnamese people continue to thrive, their spirit as unyielding as their divine dragon ancestor, their hearts as pure as their fairy progenitor.

    a dragon statue is floating on a rock in the water with a boat in the background and mountains in the background, fantasy art, a matte painting, Arthur Pan, dragon art

    The tale of Lac Long Quan and Au Co, a dragon and a fairy, is more than just a story. It is the embodiment of the Vietnamese spirit, a symbol of their unity, resilience, and pride.

    a beautiful sunset over a small island with a boat in the water and a pagoda on the other side, cloisonnism, a detailed matte painting, Arthur Pan, beautiful landscape

    As the sun sets on the land of Lac Viet, the tale of Lac Long Quan and Au Co echoes through the mountains, carried by the wind, reminding every Vietnamese of their extraordinary lineage, their unity, and their strength.

    a woman in a green dress standing in front of a dragon and fish scene with flowers and plants in the foreground, fantasy art, concept art, Clint Cearley, magic the gathering artwork

    The legacy of Lac Long Quan and Au Co continues to inspire and guide the Vietnamese people. Their divine roots serve as a reminder of their strength and unity, their extraordinary lineage, and their rich cultural heritage.

    a dragon is swimming in the ocean with corals and fish around it, with sunlight streaming through the water, fantasy art, a digital painting, Adrian Zingg, dragon art

    And so, the story of Lac Long Quan and Au Co lives on, not just in the hearts of the Vietnamese people, but also in their spirit, in their unity, and in their undying pride for their divine lineage.

    a man standing next to a dragon statue in a forest next to a waterfall with a waterfall in the background, fantasy art, a detailed matte painting, Christophe Vacher, matte fantasy painting

    The Vietnamese people, descendants of a dragon and a fairy, continue to thrive and flourish, their spirit unyielding, their unity unwavering. The tale of their divine ancestors, Lac Long Quan and Au Co, remains their guiding light.

    a golden dragon statue sitting in a lake surrounded by water lillies and mountains in the background with water lillies, fantasy art, a detailed matte painting, Arthur Pan, dragon art

    As the Vietnamese people look towards the future, they carry with them the legacy of their divine ancestors, Lac Long Quan and Au Co. Their tale, a beacon of unity and pride, continues to guide them.

    a painting of a river with mountains and boats in it and a few people in the water in the distance, magic realism, a detailed matte painting, Evgeny Lushpin, matte painting

    From the depths of the sea to the heights of the mountains, the spirit of Lac Long Quan and Au Co lives on in every Vietnamese. Their tale is a testament to the resilience, unity, and pride of the Vietnamese people.

    a woman in a red dress is on a boat with a dragon statue on it's head and a mountain range in the background, cloisonnism, a detailed matte painting, Chen Chi, dragon art

    The tale of Lac Long Quan and Au Co, a dragon and a fairy, is a cherished part of Vietnamese cultural heritage. It continues to inspire and unite the Vietnamese people, reminding them of their divine lineage.

    a woman in a green and gold dress with a dragon on her shoulder and a red flower in her hair, fantasy art, a detailed painting, Anne Stokes, dragon art

    The tale of Lac Long Quan and Au Co is a symbol of the Vietnamese spirit - resilient, united, and proud. Their divine roots serve as a beacon of strength and unity for all Vietnamese.

    a dragon statue sitting on top of a rock in a lake surrounded by mountains and trees with lily pads, fantasy art, a 3D render, Dai Jin, dragon art

    As the Vietnamese people continue to thrive and flourish, they carry with them the legacy of their divine ancestors, Lac Long Quan and Au Co. Their tale remains a source of inspiration and pride.

    a woman in a red dress standing on a rock looking at a lake with yellow flowers in the foreground, cloisonnism, a matte painting, Chen Chi, very beautiful scenery

    The tale of Lac Long Quan and Au Co serves as a reminder of the extraordinary origins of the Vietnamese people. Their divine roots continue to inspire and unite them, fostering a sense of pride and unity.

    a woman in a red dress standing next to a dragon in a lake with mountains in the background and flowers in the foreground, fantasy art, a detailed matte painting, David LaChapelle, highly detailed digital painting

    The story of Lac Long Quan and Au Co remains etched in the hearts of the Vietnamese people. Their divine roots serve as a beacon of unity and pride, a reminder of their strength and resilience.

    a beautiful view of a bay surrounded by mountains and water with boats in it and a few people on the shore, sumatraism, a detailed matte painting, Cui Bai, phuoc quan

    From the depths of the sea to the heights of the mountains, the spirit of Lac Long Quan and Au Co lives on in every Vietnamese. Their tale is a testament to the resilience, unity, and pride of the Vietnamese people.

    a scenic view of a mountain lake with yellow flowers in the foreground and a village in the background, regionalism, a detailed matte painting, Dai Xi, beautiful landscape

    The tale of Lac Long Quan and Au Co continues to echo through the mountains and valleys of Vietnam, reminding every Vietnamese of their extraordinary lineage. Their divine roots continue to inspire and unite them.

    a dragon statue sitting on top of a rock in a lake surrounded by mountains and trees at sunset with a full moon, fantasy art, concept art, Christophe Vacher, dragon art

    Thus, the legacy of Lac Long Quan and Au Co lives on, inspiring generations of Vietnamese people. The tale of their divine ancestors continues to serve as a beacon of unity and pride, reminding every Vietnamese of their extraordinary origins.

    a blue dragon statue sitting on top of a lake surrounded by water lilies and trees with pink flowers, fantasy art, an airbrush painting, Anne Stokes, dragon art

    The tale of Lac Long Quan and Au Co, a dragon and a fairy, is more than just a story. It is the embodiment of the Vietnamese spirit, a symbol of their unity, resilience, and pride. Their divine roots continue to guide and inspire them.

    a river flowing through a lush green forest covered valley next to a waterfall covered in lush green foliage and surrounded by mountains, naturalism, a detailed matte painting, Dai Xi, beautiful landscape

    As the sun sets on the land of Lac Viet, the tale of Lac Long Quan and Au Co echoes through the mountains, carried by the wind, reminding every Vietnamese of their extraordinary lineage, their unity, and their strength.

    a dragon is sitting in the water with lily pads and a fish in its mouth, with a background of water lillies and a fish, fantasy art, a digital painting, Anne Stokes, dragon art

    The legacy of Lac Long Quan and Au Co continues to inspire and guide the Vietnamese people. Their divine roots serve as a reminder of their strength and unity, their extraordinary lineage, and their rich cultural heritage.

    The Legend of Lac Long Quan and Au Co