In this lesson, you will meet two very different dragons. One from Vietnam and one from Poland. One dragon is a hero. The other is a dangerous beast. We’ll explore their legends and learn what they mean in each culture.
Vietnamese Legend: Lạc Long Quân (Dragon Prince) and Cơ (Mountain Fairy)
A long time ago, in Vietnam, there was a kind and powerful dragon king named Lạc Long Quân. He lived near the sea and helped people by teaching them how to fish, farm, and stay safe. He fell in love with a mountain fairy named Âu Cơ, and together they had 100 magical eggs, which hatched into 100 children, the very first Vietnamese people! One day, they decided to divide the children: Âu Cơ took 50 children to the mountains, Lạc Long Quân took 50 children to the sea. That’s why Vietnamese people say: “We are children of the Dragon and the Fairy.”
Polish Legend: The Wawel Dragon
Long ago in the city of Kraków, a scary dragon lived in a dark cave under Wawel Castle. He was huge, loved to eat sheep and sometimes scared the people too! Many brave warriors tried to fight the dragon, but no one could win. Then came a clever shoemaker named Dratewka. He didn’t use a sword. Instead, he made a trick: He gave the dragon a sheep filled with hot, spicy powder (sulfur). The dragon ate it, felt super thirsty, drank too much water from the river… and BOOM! He burst! From then on, Kraków was safe again, all thanks to a smart idea, not a big sword.
How Those Two Dragons Are Different
| Feature | Vietnamese Dragon (Lạc Long Quân) | Polish Dragon (Wawel Dragon) |
|---|---|---|
| Looks | Long, snake-like body, no wings, deer-like horns, colorful | Big, heavy, green, with bat-like wings, breathes fire |
| Lives | Near the sea or in the sky | In a dark cave under Wawel Castle |
| Personality | Kind, wise, protective | Wild, greedy, frightening |
| What it does | Helps people, teaches, becomes father of the Vietnamese | Eats animals, scares the city |
| Famous story | Father of 100 children with Âu Cơ | Tricked by a shoemaker with a fake sheep |
| Symbol of | Life, water, peace, unity, Vietnamese origins | Danger, fear, challenge to be defeated |
| How story ends | Goes to the sea with 50 children | Gets tricked by a boy and bursts |
Fun facts about Vietnamese dragon:
1. It has no wings… but can still fly!
2. It brings rain and helps farmers.
3. It is a symbol of kings and emperors.
4. Vietnamese people call themselves “Children of the Dragon.”
5. It appears during Tet (Lunar New Year)!
6. It never hurts people.
7. Its breath can create clouds.
8. You can see dragons on temples and roofs.
Where to Meet a Dragon in Vietnam?
1. Dragon Bridge in Da Nang
2. Dragon dance during Tet (Lunar new year)
If you want to see Vietnamese dragon dance – click here.
3. In Architecture
If you want to learn more about dragons – click here.
Activity: Make an Origami Dragon! Click here.
