Ancient sacred turtle dies in Vietnam, leading to widespread concerns about…politics

A model of the sacred turtle.
(Image credit: Hoang Dinh Nam/Getty Images)

While the United States forecasts the political season with poll numbers and pundits, a different sort of omen has emerged in tumultuous Vietnam: the death of the sacred turtle.

The turtle had lived in Hanoi's central lake for decades at least, with some saying he'd been there for centuries. He represented the tangible embodiment of Cu Rua, "Great-Grandfather Turtle," who loaned out a magical sword to a mythological hero.

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Jeva Lange

Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.