Long Do
The Dragon’s Belly
ORIGIN:
Vietnam
Long Do literally means the dragon’s navel. He is the patron spirit of the city of Hanoi and the guardian of the land on which it is built. He must approve building projects or anything that affects or disturbs the land. Although he sometimes manifests as a frail, elderly man, that’s a guise: he is a potent dragon with powers over the air. Long Do raises storms so powerful they can topple buildings.
Long Do appears to people in dreams. He has various manifestations and may appear as:
• A golden dragon
• An elderly man with a long white beard
• A man dressed in boots, purple robes and a red hat riding a golden dragon
Long Do refers to the dragon itself. When he appears as a man, he is addressed as the Lord of the Dragon’s Belly or the Dragon’s Navel. His close ally is the river deity, To Lich. The two are enshrined together in Hanoi’s ancient Bach Ma Temple.
FAVOURED PEOPLE:
Long Do is the patron spirit of the ceramics industry
MANIFESTATION:
Long Do’s presence in whatever form may be accompanied by the sounds of celestial music and beautiful, intoxicating fragrance.
SOURCE:
Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses – Written by : Judika Illes Copyright © 2009 by Judika Illes.