Top 5 Best Interpretations of 'The Legend of Hoan Kiem Lake'

Question 1: Why did the Dragon King lend the Lam Son insurgents the sacred sword?

Answer:

The Dragon King lent the sacred sword to Le Loi, and similarly, the Jade Emperor lent the sacred sword to Nguyen Hue, all to help the insurgents defeat the enemy. The folk author demonstrates that the Lam Son and Tay Son uprisings were just, in line with the will of heaven, and received wholehearted support from the people.
The meaning: the sword symbolizes the strength, aspirations, and justice of the people.

Question 2: How did Le Loi receive the sacred sword? What is the significance of the way the Dragon King lent the sword to Le Loi and the Lam Son insurgents?
Answer:

– Le Than found the sword’s blade while fishing. Le Loi recognized its significance when he visited Le Than’s house: the blade glowed, and it had the inscription "Thuan Thien". Later, when fleeing from the enemy, Le Loi found the hilt, which also glowed. When he joined the hilt with the blade, they fit perfectly.

– The way the Dragon King lent the sword to the Lam Son insurgents and Le Loi holds a deeper meaning about the strength of the people:
+ Le Loi, the leader, received the hilt.
+ Le Than, the fisherman, received the blade.
+ The sword’s glow symbolizes the unity and collective strength of the people who will fight to save the nation.
+ "Thuan Thien" represents the people’s desire for Le Loi to be their righteous leader in the war of resistance.

Question 3: What is the significance of the sacred sword for the Lam Son insurgents?
Answer:

– The power of the sacred sword:
+ With the sword, the morale of the insurgents grew stronger. The sword’s power terrified the Ming army.
+ From being on the defensive and suffering many defeats, the insurgents took the initiative to seek out and defeat the enemy, ultimately driving the Ming forces out of the country.

Question 4: When did the Dragon King request the return of the sword? How did the scene of returning the sword unfold?
Answer:

When peace was restored, the Dragon King sent the Golden Turtle to reclaim the sword. Le Loi was strolling around the Hoan Kiem Lake when the Golden Turtle surfaced, and the sword at his side moved. The Golden Turtle said, "Your Majesty, please return the sword to the Dragon King." The king withdrew the sword and held it towards the Golden Turtle, which took the sword in its mouth and sank back into the lake.

Question 5: Discuss the meaning of the story of the Legend of the Sword Lake in class.
Answer:

– The story of the Legend of the Sword Lake primarily explains the origin of the name of the Sword Lake (Hoan Kiem), but more importantly, it emphasizes the just nature of the Lam Son uprising, in line with the will of heaven, and the widespread support of the people.
– The story honors Le Loi, the leader of the Lam Son insurgents, who was wholeheartedly supported by the people, defeated the invaders, and brought peace to the country and its people.
– The story reflects the people’s desire to live in peace and happiness.

Question 6: Are there any other legends in Vietnam that feature the Golden Turtle? What does the image of the Golden Turtle symbolize in Vietnamese legends?
Answer:

The image of the Golden Turtle also appears in the legend of An Duong Vuong and My Chau-Trong Thuy. In Vietnamese legends, the Golden Turtle usually symbolizes the Dragon King – the deity who rules the waters, representing the divine assistance offered to humans.

II. VIETNAM LITERATURE EXERCISES ON THE LEGEND OF THE SWORD LAKE:

Question 1: Read the supplementary section on the sword of the Tay Son Dynasty to see the recurring themes and the significance of the sacred sword in Vietnamese legends.
Answer:

The recurrence and significance of the sacred sword in various Vietnamese legends:
+ The sword’s blade lies under the water, and the hilt is in the forest → The love for the country exists everywhere.
+ When the sword’s parts fit perfectly together → The unified will of the people, determined and resolute.
+ Le Than handing the sword to Le Loi signifies the important role of the leader.
⇒ The sword symbolizes trust, commitment, and determination to achieve a great cause.

Question 2: Why did the folk author choose not to have Le Loi directly receive both the hilt and the blade of the sword at once?
Answer:

If the folk author had allowed Le Loi to receive both the hilt and the blade at once, the story would not have reflected the sense of collective effort, with the people uniting in support of the war of resistance. The sword Le Loi received represents the unity and strength of the people from all corners of the country.

Question 3: Le Loi received the sword in Thanh Hoa but returned it at Hoan Kiem Lake in Thang Long. How would the meaning of the legend change if Le Loi had returned the sword in Thanh Hoa?
Answer:

Le Loi received the sword in Thanh Hoa but returned it at Hoan Kiem Lake in Thang Long. If he had returned the sword in Thanh Hoa, the meaning of the legend would have been limited. Le Loi’s return of the sword at Hoan Kiem Lake, in the capital Thang Long, symbolizes the peace and vigilance of the entire nation.

Question 4: Define what a legend is and list the legends you have studied.
Answer:

- A legend is a type of folk tale that tells the stories of characters and events related to past history, often with elements of imagination and the supernatural. Legends reflect the people’s attitudes and assessments of historical events and figures.
- The legends you have studied in the 6th-grade literature program include: The Descendants of the Dragon and the Fairy; The Legend of the Rice Cakes, etc.

Question 1: Why did the Dragon King lend the Lam Son rebels the magical sword?

- The Ming invaders ruled over Vietnam with cruelty, and the people hated them deeply.

- The Lam Son uprising was struggling at first, facing many defeats due to a lack of strength.

- The Dragon King wished to help the rebels defeat the invaders.

Question 2: How did Le Loi receive the magical sword? What is the significance of how the Dragon King lent the sword to the Lam Son rebels and Le Loi?

- Le Loi did not directly receive the sword:

+ Initially, a fisherman named Le Than caught the sword in his net. When Le Loi visited Le Than’s house, the blade of the sword “glowed brightly.” It had the inscription “Thuận thiên” (Heaven’s Will), but no one recognized it as a precious item.

+ Later, when Le Loi was chased by the enemy, he found the hilt of the sword embedded in a banyan tree, glowing mysteriously.

+ When he placed the sword’s blade into the hilt, it fit perfectly.

+ Le Than then offered the sword to Le Loi.

- The Dragon King lending the sword to the rebels and Le Loi carried deep significance:

+ The sword symbolized unity, linking different regions from the rivers to the mountains, from the plains to the highlands.

+ Although the sword’s parts were separated, they fit perfectly together, symbolizing the united will of the people in their fight against the invaders.

+ The inscription “Thuận thiên” emphasized the righteous cause and divine support for the Lam Son rebels.

Question 3: What was the power of the magical sword for the Lam Son rebels?

The power of the sword was shown in:

- With the sword, the morale of the rebels grew stronger, and the Ming forces were driven to retreat.

- From being on the defensive, the rebels took the initiative, bravely seeking out the enemy.

- The sword paved the way for their success, enabling them to expel the invaders and restore peace to the country.

Question 4: When did the Dragon King demand the sword back? How did the sword retrieval scene unfold?

- Once the country was at peace and Le Loi became king, moving the capital to Thang Long, the Dragon King demanded the sword back.

- The sword retrieval took place at Ho Tay (West Lake):

+ The king was leisurely boating on the lake when the Dragon King sent the Golden Turtle to ask for the sword.

+ As the turtle emerged, the king noticed the sword he had been carrying started to move. The turtle spoke, saying, “Your Majesty, please return the sword to the Dragon King.” The king handed over the sword, and the turtle took it, disappearing into the water. “The sword and turtle sank into the depths of the lake, and people still say they can see something shining beneath the water’s surface.”

Question 5: Class Discussion: What is the significance of the Legend of Hoan Kiem Lake?

- The story praises the righteous nature and people’s involvement in the Lam Son uprising. With righteousness and support from all over the country, the rebellion triumphed.

- It honors Le Loi, the leader of the uprising, who was supported by the Dragon King (the ancestor of the people) and by the rebels, having driven out the invaders and brought peace to the land.

- The legend explains the name of Hoan Kiem Lake and symbolizes the people’s desire for peace and happiness, free from the need for war.

Question 6: Are there any other legends in Vietnam that feature the Golden Turtle? Who or what does the Golden Turtle symbolize in Vietnamese legends?

- The legend of My Chau – Trong Thuy (or An Duong Vuong) also includes the Golden Turtle.

- The Golden Turtle represents strength, the aspirations of the people, and justice.

II. Practice:

Question 1: Read the additional reading material to understand better the repetition and meaning of the magical sword motif in Vietnamese legends.

Question 2: Why didn’t the folk author have Le Loi receive both the sword blade and hilt at the same time?

Answer: If the folk author had allowed Le Loi to receive both the hilt and blade simultaneously, the story would not have conveyed the unity of the people in the national struggle. The sword Le Loi received symbolized the unity and collective spirit of the entire nation in the fight against invaders.

Question 3: Le Loi received the sword in Thanh Hoa but returned it at Hoan Kiem Lake – Thang Long. How would the meaning of the legend change if the sword was returned in Thanh Hoa instead?

Answer: The Lam Son uprising took place in Thanh Hoa, and Le Loi receiving the sword there is fitting. However, returning it in Thang Long, the capital, symbolizes the achievement of peace and prosperity for the whole nation. Returning the sword in Thang Long also serves as a message from the Dragon King to the king: to govern in accordance with the “Heaven’s Will.” The two locations represent different phases and duties of Le Loi’s mission.

Question 4: Define a legend and name some of the legends you have learned.

- A legend is a type of folk tale that recounts historical figures and events, often involving fantastical elements. It reflects the people’s perspective on historical events and figures.
- Some of the legends we have studied include: The Dragon and the Fairy, the Rice Cake Legend, Saint Giong, The Battle of Mountain and Water, The Legend of Hoan Kiem Lake.

Instructions for preparing the lesson:

Question 1 (Page 42, Vietnamese Literature 6, Volume 1):

Long Quân lends the Lam Sơn rebels the magic sword:

• The Ming invaders commit atrocities against the people.
• The Lam Sơn rebels fight for justice by defeating the ruthless Ming troops.
• Long Quân wishes for the Lam Sơn rebels to win against the invaders.

Question 2 (Page 42, Vietnamese Literature 6, Volume 1):

Lê Lợi does not directly receive the magic sword:

• First, fisherman Lê Thận catches the sword blade.
• When Lê Lợi visits Lê Thận's house, the blade glows with the inscription 'Thuận Thiên'.
• Lê Lợi inserts the jeweled hilt he found into the blade, and they fit perfectly.

The way Long Quân lends the magic sword holds great significance:

• The sword's power represents the strength of the community and unity.
• Each part of the sword, when reunited, symbolizes the united will of the entire nation against the invaders.
• The inscription 'Thuận Thiên' on the blade emphasizes the righteous nature and the support of heaven and the people for the rebels.

Question 3 (Page 42, Vietnamese Literature 6, Volume 1):

The magic sword's influence on the Lam Sơn rebels:

• The sword boosts the morale of the rebels.
• From being reactive, they now actively confront the enemy.
• The sword symbolizes unity and faith in collective action against foreign oppression.

Question 4 (Page 42, Vietnamese Literature 6, Volume 1):

Long Quân requests the sword back once the country is at peace, and Lê Lợi ascends the throne in the capital of Thăng Long:

• The sword retrieval happens at the Tả Vọng lake:
• The king rides a dragon boat across the lake, and Long Quân sends the Golden Turtle to retrieve the sword.
• When the Golden Turtle emerges and demands the sword, the king surrenders it, and the turtle takes the sword back to the lake.

The retrieval scene is solemn and sacred.

Question 5 (Page 42, Vietnamese Literature 6, Volume 1):

The significance of the Legend of Hoan Kiem Lake:

• It praises the righteousness and the people's spirit.
• It reflects the pride in the strength of unity and the glorious victory of the rebellion.
• It explains the origin of the lake's name and the nation's long tradition of peace.

Question 6 (Page 42, Vietnamese Literature 6, Volume 1):

Other legends in Vietnam also feature the Golden Turtle, such as the story of An Dương Vương, Mị Châu, and Trọng Thủy.

The Golden Turtle in Vietnamese legends represents the sacred power of heaven and earth, as well as the emotions and wisdom of the people.

The Golden Turtle in the Hoan Kiem legend is the messenger of Long Quân, embodying the nation's desire for peace.

Practice Exercises:

Exercise 1 (Page 43, Vietnamese Literature 6, Volume 1):

The repetition and significance of the magic sword detail in various Vietnamese legends:

• The sword's blade is underwater, and the hilt is in the forest → National love is present everywhere.
• The sword parts fit together perfectly → The unity of the nation’s will is unwavering.
• Lê Thận hands the sword to Lê Lợi, symbolizing the crucial role of the leader.

Exercise 2 (Page 43, Vietnamese Literature 6, Volume 1):

The folk author does not let Lê Lợi directly receive both parts of the sword at once:

• To defeat the Ming, the people and the king must unite for invincible strength.
• The rebellion involves hardship and struggle.
• Lê Lợi understands the significance of being the 'sword holder' and the power of the 'sword blade' of the people.

Exercise 3 (Page 43, Vietnamese Literature 6, Volume 1):

Lê Lợi borrows the sword in Thanh Hóa but returns it at Hoan Kiem Lake in Thăng Long:

• The sword return happens at Tả Vọng Lake:
• The Golden Turtle rises to demand the sword.
• When the Golden Turtle emerges and the sword stirs, Lê Lợi understands, and the king returns the sword.

If Lê Lợi returned the sword in Thanh Hóa, the legend would change:

• The origin of Hoan Kiem Lake would not be explained.
• If Lê Lợi reunites the nation, the king must reside in the capital, which makes sense.

Exercise 4 (Page 43, Vietnamese Literature 6, Volume 1):

Defining the legend:

• It is a type of folklore that came after mythology.
• Characters and events are tied to history.
• It includes elements of fantasy and the supernatural.

Legends we have studied: The Descendants of the Dragon and Fairy, The Legend of the Rice Cakes, Saint Gióng, The Battle Between Sơn Tinh and Thủy Tinh, The Legend of Hoan Kiem Lake.

Guidelines for Preparing the Lesson:

Question 1 (Page 42, Literature 6, Volume 1):

King Long Quan lends the divine sword to the Lam Son army to ensure their victory, as the Lam Son uprising is righteous, in line with the will of Heaven and the people's desires.

Question 2 (Page 42, Literature 6, Volume 1):

- Lê Lợi does not directly receive the sword. Lê Thận fishes it out, and the sword glows with the inscription "Thuận Thiên" when Lê Lợi arrives. When the sword's blade and its jeweled hilt are matched, they fit perfectly.

- The significance of the way Long Quan lends the sword is as follows:

+ The divine sword symbolizes the combined power of rivers, mountains, and the people.

+ The inscription "Thuận Thiên" signifies the will of Heaven, affirming Lê Lợi as the leader chosen by divine forces.

Question 3 (Page 42, Literature 6, Volume 1):

The divine sword's influence on the Lam Son army: It boosts their morale, ensuring victories in battle, and shifts the army into an offensive position.

Question 4* (Page 42, Literature 6, Volume 1):

Long Quan requests the return of the sword once peace is restored in the country. As Lê Lợi is sailing on the Tả Vọng lake, the golden turtle rises, and the sword by his side begins to stir. The golden turtle says: "Your Majesty, please return the sword to Long Quan." The king then hands over the sword, which the turtle takes and dives back into the lake.

Question 5 (Page 42, Literature 6, Volume 1):

The meaning of the story of the Legend of the Sword Lake:

- It explains the origin of the name "Sword Lake" and the righteous nature of the uprising.

- It elevates the role of Lê Lợi as a national hero.

- It reflects the people's longing for peace and happiness.

Question 6* (Page 42, Literature 6, Volume 1):

The golden turtle is also featured in other Vietnamese myths, such as the story of An Dương Vương and the legend of Cổ Loa Citadel.

- In Vietnamese folklore, the golden turtle represents the sacred power of the land, the wisdom, and the collective spirit of the people. As a messenger of the gods, it provides blessings and protection to the people.

Practice Exercises:

Question 1 (Page 43, Literature 6, Volume 1):

The recurring detail of the divine sword being passed on signifies trust and dedication to the chosen leader, demonstrating the people's commitment to the rightful ruler.

Question 2 (Page 43, Literature 6, Volume 1):

The folk author does not have Lê Lợi receive both the sword's hilt and blade at the same time because the blade comes from the water, and the hilt from the land. When the two are joined, they represent the power of the mountains and seas. This suggests that for victory, the unity of the people across the land is essential, symbolizing Lê Lợi's role as the sword's wielder and the people’s strength as embodied in the sword's blade.

Question 3* (Page 43, Literature 6, Volume 1):

The return of the sword in Thăng Long is symbolic: the king's role is to govern during times of peace to align with the will of Heaven. These two places represent two different periods and missions of Lê Lợi.

Question 4 (Page 43, Literature 6, Volume 1):

- Definition: A legend is a type of folklore narrative that involves historical characters and events, often with a fantastical or mythical component. Legends reflect the attitudes and judgments of the people regarding historical events and figures.

- Legends studied: The Descendants of Dragons and Fairy, Rice Cakes, Saint Gióng, Mountain and Water Spirits, The Legend of Sword Lake.

I. Understanding the Text:

Question 1: Why did Long Quân lend the magical sword to the Lam Sơn insurgents?

Long Quân lent the magical sword to the Lam Sơn insurgents because:

- The Minh invaders oppressed our country, committing many cruel and unjust acts, and the people were filled with deep anger towards them.

- The Lam Sơn uprising was just, aligned with heaven’s will, and supported by the people.

Question 2: How did Lê Lợi receive the magical sword? What is the significance of how Long Quân lent the sword to Lê Lợi and the Lam Sơn insurgents?

- Lê Lợi did not directly receive the sword; instead, Lê Thận retrieved the sword using a net. When Lê Lợi arrived at Lê Thận’s house, the sword shone brightly with the words “Thuận thiên” (Heaven’s Will); when Lê Lợi was retreating from battle, he found the sword’s hilt glowing strangely. The hilt and blade fit perfectly together.

- The significance of how Long Quân lent the sword:

+ It symbolizes the power of the rivers and mountains, representing the strength of the people.

+ It praises Lê Lợi as a hero worthy of trust, and the sword’s hilt represents his rightful position as the leader chosen by heaven.

Question 3: What is the power of the magical sword to the Lam Sơn insurgents?

Since obtaining the magical sword, the insurgents’ morale increased. The sword struck fear into the Minh forces, and the Lam Sơn insurgents’ power and reputation spread far and wide. They no longer hid from the enemy but took the initiative, boldly seeking out and defeating the invaders.

Question 4: When did Long Quân ask for the sword back? How did the scene of reclaiming and returning the sword unfold?

- Long Quân asked for the sword back after the country was free from invaders, and Lê Lợi had ascended the throne and moved the capital to Thăng Long.

- The scene of reclaiming and returning the sword was very solemn. While Lê Lợi was strolling by Hồ Tả Vọng, the Golden Turtle surfaced, and the sword’s hilt moved. The Golden Turtle spoke: “Your Majesty, please return the sword to Long Quân.” The king returned the sword, and the Golden Turtle took it and dove back into the water.

Question 5: Class Discussion: What is the meaning of the story “The Legend of Hồ Gươm”?

- It praises the righteousness, people’s involvement, and national unity of the Lam Sơn uprising. The story also honors the hero Lê Lợi.

- The legend explains the name Hồ Hoàn Kiếm (Sword Lake).

- It reflects the desire for peace among the Vietnamese people.

Question 6: Are there other legends with the image of the Golden Turtle in Vietnam? In your opinion, what does the Golden Turtle symbolize in Vietnamese mythology?

- The legend featuring the Golden Turtle is the “An Dương Vương” story.

- The Golden Turtle symbolizes ancestors, the sacred power of the land and water, and the thoughts, emotions, and wisdom of the people. In the “Legend of Hồ Gươm,” the Golden Turtle further symbolizes the strength of the Lam Sơn insurgents and strengthens the authority of the Lê dynasty after the uprising.

II. PRACTICE:

1. Read more.

2. Why do you think the folk author didn’t let Lê Lợi receive both the sword’s hilt and blade at the same time?

The folk author didn’t let Lê Lợi receive both parts of the sword at once because it was a magical sword (symbolizing the righteous people, the nation, and the gods). It couldn’t be given simply but required a more complex approach.

3. Lê Lợi received the sword in Thanh Hóa but returned it at Hồ Gươm in Thăng Long. How would the story’s meaning change if Lê Lợi had returned the sword in Thanh Hóa?

If Lê Lợi had returned the sword in Thanh Hóa, the story’s meaning would be limited. At that point, Lê Lợi had become king and was in Thăng Long, the capital—the political, cultural, and social center of the country. Thus, returning the sword at Hồ Tả Vọng in the capital fully expresses the nation’s desire for peace and its vigilant spirit.

4. Define the term “legend” and list the legends you have studied:

* Legend: A folk tale that recounts historical figures and events from the past, often with elements of fantasy or the supernatural. Legends express the people’s attitudes and views about historical events and figures.

* Legends studied:

- The Descendants of Dragons and Immortals.

- Saint Gióng.

- The Story of the Rice Cakes.

- Sơn Tinh, Thủy Tinh.