Definition

1. Noun:
   • A mythical creature / a type of legendary beast: "Canh Đà" refers to a legendary creature in Vietnamese folklore, described as a type of fish with legs, of great length, whose durable skin could be used to make watch drums.
   • A timekeeping creature: It is characterized by its loud cry, which was said to sound precisely at the start of each night watch period, serving as a mythical time signal.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Truyền thuyết kể về con Canh Đà kêu đúng mỗi canh. (Legends tell of the Canh Đà that cries precisely at each watch.)
  • Da Canh Đà được nói là có thể dùng làm trống. (The skin of the Canh Đà is said to be usable for making drums.)

Advanced Usage

• This term is primarily found in classical literature, historical texts, or discussions of Vietnamese mythology and ancient timekeeping methods.

Cultural and Historical Notes

• Mythological Role: The Canh Đà is not a real animal but a creature of myth, illustrating traditional concepts of time measurement (the night was divided into watches, or "canh") through allegory.
• Etymology: The name combines "canh" (a period of the night, a watch) and "Đà" (the name of the creature), directly linking it to its time-announcing function.

Related Concepts

• Canh: A traditional unit of time dividing the night into five periods.
• Trống canh: The watch drum, used historically to mark the night watches, to which the creature's cry is compared.