Why go
Knowing who the brothers are makes their images more than unfamiliar shrine figures. Preah Ko, the ox, is said to hold precious things within him; Preah Keo is his younger human brother. Different tellings carry the story through speech, writing, film and painting, so the details need not be identical each time you encounter it.
The full story
In the legend, Preah Ko is a sacred ox with extraordinary power. His belly contains treasures, and he and his younger brother, Preah Keo, bring peace and prosperity to the place where they live. That simple pair of characters can carry a larger idea: a land's wealth includes knowledge and cultural objects, as well as jewels. Cambodian tellings connect the brothers' loss with memories of wars against Siam and the removal of people and precious things from Cambodian capitals. The legend expresses grief through a story rather than serving as a literal account of any one campaign. Versions have circulated orally and in writing, film and painting. Statues of the brothers in some shrines show how the tale also has a devotional life. If you come across one, look for the contrast between the powerful ox and the human figure beside him. Their pairing is the key to recognizing the story, even when the version told locally differs.