Thánh Gióng, the Boy Who Became a Giant
Vietnamese legend tells of a three-year-old boy who had never spoken. When invaders came, he stood up, grew into a giant, rode out on an iron horse, then flew into the sky.
What was reported
In the village of Phù Đổng, a woman gave birth to a boy who, at three years old, still couldn't speak, sit or walk. When invaders attacked the kingdom, a royal messenger came looking for anyone who could save the country, and the boy spoke for the first time: he asked for an iron horse, iron armour and an iron staff.
He grew to a giant in moments, rode out and drove off the enemy, pulling up bamboo to fight when his staff broke. Then he rode to the top of Sóc Sơn mountain, left his armour, and flew up into the sky with his horse.
Explanations offered
Thánh Gióng, 'Saint Gióng', is one of Vietnam's four immortals, a symbol of the people's defence of their land. His festival at the Phù Đổng and Sóc temples is on UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
- When
- Told since ancient times
- Where
- Sóc Sơn, Hanoi, Vietnam
- Witnesses
- Vietnamese legend
- Status
- Legend
Famous cases are real, widely reported events. Each file sets out what witnesses said and the explanations that have been offered, without taking a side.
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