Vietnamese: Sự tích cá chép vượt vũ môn hóa rồng

According to ancient legend, one year, the earth was too dry because there were not enough dragons to spout water to make rain. The Jade Emperor (Ngọc Hoàng) decided to establish a contest to select animals to transform into dragons to save the earth.

The edict was sent to the Water Palace (Thuỷ Cung), and all the aquatic species living there took part in the contest, which involved swimming upstream against three formidable waves.

After one month, all the species that came to compete were eliminated, as none could successfully overcome all three waves.

A perch fish (cá rô) was able to make it through the first wave, but it fell in the middle of the second.

There was a shrimp (con tôm) that jumped over two waves. Its internal organs, scales, antennae, and tail had almost turned into a dragon. But when the third round came, it was exhausted and fell at the height of the wave, causing its back to bend.

Next, a carp (cá chép) entered the competition. Despite seeing the failure of many previous creatures, the carp was not discouraged but was even more determined. 

This particular carp had something rare in its mouth: a precious pearl that takes hundreds of years to cultivate. The Wind God (Thần Gió) found it strange and came to see the carp’s attempt. With him, wind and clouds rushed in, thunder rumbled in the sky, high waves rose, and it rained heavily.

A high wave carried up the carp. It crossed three waves at once, releasing the pearl, it crossed Vũ Môn, also called Long Môn, or Dragon Gate, and turned into a dragon.

The carp turning into a dragon tells the story of overcoming difficulties and obstacles to achieve success. It therefore symbolizes courage, luck, success, and victory.

It symbolizes the aspiration to reach new heights. Those who have perseverance, and patience and are not afraid of difficulties and hardships, with good luck, timing, and help and support, can find great success. 

The pearl is also a reminder to always cultivate and hone noble qualities within ourselves, such as courage and determination, which may take a long time, but is a worthwhile endeavor.

When the carp turned into a dragon, it spouted rain, making the land fertile and green, bringing vitality to all life on earth. And that’s why, it’s a symbol of peace, prosperity, and well-being. 

Because of these meanings, the image of a carp turning into a dragon has been used widely in jewelry designs, paintings, statues, and tattoos, to name a few.

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Sources

https://covattinhhoa.vn/news/detail/1457/su-tich-ca-chep-vuot-vu-mon-hoa-rong.cvth

https://vienchibao.com/truyen-thuyet-va-y-nghia-ca-chep-vuot-vu-mon-hoa-rong/