Hua Mulan is among the most famous women in ancient China. Her valiant deeds were first recorded in ancient manuscripts, recalled in the famous poem Ballad of Mulan, and made popular in the 1998 Walt Disney movie Mulan. Today, her story remains to be heard throughout Chinese schools.
In Chinese “Huā” means “flower” and “Mùlán” means magnolia. The magnolia flower has been one of the trademarks of China since ancient times. Even so, there is contradictory knowledge regarding the probable origins of Mulan, and her family name is unclear. In Ming History, her family name is Zhu, but in Qing History, it is Wei. The only sure fact is that her tale is tied to Chinese history in the 4th or 5th century AD.
The Real Mulan
Historically, Mulan’s life was set in the time of Northern Wei, but several aspects of her history were included during the reign of the Tang dynasty around AD 620. In 621, the ruler of the Tang Dynasty was triumphant over Wang Shichong and Dou Jiande, and another myth about the warrior woman who had emerged at that time. Legends of these two women were finally related to one story.
The existence of Mulan arose about when, in the 4th and 5th centuries, China endured the conquest of the Nomadic ethnic community. The government was utterly defeated by the “barbarian” entity. The war was awful, and the soldiers sought a ray of inspiration. Wars have lasted over three decades and have destroyed many areas of the Chinese Empire. As a consequence, a woman soldier (in the role of a Mulan or others) was a status symbol that motivated soldiers to fight.
Mulan in the Modern World
The legend of Hua Mulan resurrects every time China wants strength and hope. Her character has become a very common theme in history and literature. She stars as the heroine in more than 10 films and books.
It is also a common heroine in popular novels and published books. Her statues are found in many parts of the world. The crater on Venus is named after her. Hua Mulan is a sign of strength and loyalty. Chinese people claim that she’s a real human … because as long as she inspires them, they don’t care if that is true.
Though Disney wished to reproduce its appeal in China, the reaction was not as positive as many Chinese people assumed that the Disney version was different from the actual legend stated in ancient writings.
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