Oviparity motif in East Asian founding legends (Studying the cases of Vietnam and Korea)

Abstract

Oviparity is a common motif in world folklore. Many ethnic groups believe that their ancestors were born from magical eggs. Studying the founding legends of East Asian countries, the oviparity motif appears quite often. This article compares the presence of the oviparity motif in the founding legends of Vietnam and Korea to point out the movement of this motif in the East Asian cultural region and its significance in the national consciousness of each country.