Neang Neak (Queen Soma / Naga Princess)
Neang Neak (Khmer: នាងនាគ, 'Dragon Woman'), also known as Queen Soma, is the legendary Naga serpent princess who became the first queen of Cambodia. According to Khmer founding myth, she was the beautiful daughter of the Naga king who ruled the underwater realm. She confronted the Indian Brahmin prince Preah Thong (Kaundinya) on the shore, and after being struck by his magic arrow, fell in love and agreed to marry him. Her father the Naga king blessed the union and drained the ocean to create land for their kingdom — the birth of Cambodia. Neang Neak represents the indigenous, matrilineal, and