Thanh Giong

Introduction

Thanh Giong is a folk hero in Vietnamese mythology and is one of the Four Immortals along with Lieu Hanh. Legend has it that he rode an iron horse and defeated the enemy Chinese army. He is regarded as the first anti-invasion hero in the country and a Vietnamese version of the Buddhist god Vaisravana.

Physical Traits

As a child, Thanh Giong did not speak, smile or stand till the age of three. After he received the call from the emperor to help him in battle, he started talking and eating more. This ultimately helped him grow quite big and is then depicted as a giant with immense strength.

Family

During the 6th century, a woman lived alone in the village of Phu Dong and wanted to have a child. She found a massive footprint in her paddy field land where she grew up and worked. She placed her foot on the giant footprint which led to her getting pregnant. Nine months later, she gave birth to a boy whom she named ‘Giong’.

Other Names

Thanh Giong or Saint Giong was also known as Phù Đổng Thiên Vương (Heavenly king of Phù Đổng), Ông Gióng (Sir Gióng) and Xung Thiên Thần Vương (Divine King of Heaven).

Powers and Abilities

Thanh Giong was over 10 feet tall and was heavily built with skills of an efficient warrior. The king ordered the creation of an iron horse that was 18 feet tall and a sword that was 7 feet long. Some accounts also claim that it was a 12 feet staff and not a sword that was forged as the weapon and that he was also provided with iron clothes as armour. Thanh Giong was also provided with an iron helmet to protect himself from the enemy.

He used these weapons and the iron horse, which could breathe fire through it’s nostrils, to destroy his enemies before flying off into heaven.

Modern Day Influence

Thanh Giong is still considered to be an icon to the Vietnamese people and many of them tend to still pay homage and worship the boy giant as a saviour and protector. Numerous comic books and cartoons have been created to help the new generation stay in touch with the legendary tales and folklore that surrounds him.