A turtle with a deep connection to Vietnamese folklore has died of old age in the capital of Hanoi, according to CNN. The turtle was known as Cu Rua, which is Vietnamese for "great-grandfather turtle," and was said to be the incarnation of a giant turtle that played a part in winning Vietnamese independence, according to the BBC News. Experts claim that it died of old age and poor weather conditions.
Cu Rua was thought to be between 80 and 100 years old but its mythic origins date back to the 15th century, when Le Loi, a genuine figure in Vietnamese history, was allegedly loaned a magical sword via a lake from the Dragon King to fight against Chinese enemies, according to the BBC. The sword was then sent back with the help of a giant turtle, giving it a significant place in Vietnamese folk history.
Cu Rua's death has been widely mourned across Vietnamese media with many calling it a "bad omen" for the Community Party, who commence their quinquennial congress this week, according to Bloomberg Business. The turtle is said to surface whenever important events occur, making its demise as a new party leader, president and prime minster are chosen a sign of bad news for some.
The news of its death was even briefly censored, with the party's media department initially telling broadcasters "to cheerfully welcome the party congress, newspapers and media please do not report on the turtle's death for now," according to BBC News.
The turtle's body has been moved to a temple on a small island in the lake, which is called Hoan Kiem Lake, or "Lake of the Returned Sword", according to the Japan Times. State media has reported that it will be kept there until an official decision on how to proceed has been made, according to the Japan Times.
