The Flower General
Her lie worked so well that nobody found out for many years. How so? She made herself look like a boy, she already acted like a boy, and even her real voice sounded like a boy. Many years ago, her father had taught her to fight like a boy too.
Summary
Once upon a time in China, there was a girl with an elderly father. The father was called to war although he was ill. Because Mulan didn't want her father to die, she passed herself off as his son.
She made herself up to look, sound, and act like a boy, then swaggered off to the army for twelve years.
She fought so well in the army that the thought of checking her never entered anyone's heads.
In the end, she saved her dad from dying of overwork by having gone in his place.
She made herself up to look, sound, and act like a boy, then swaggered off to the army for twelve years.
She fought so well in the army that the thought of checking her never entered anyone's heads.
In the end, she saved her dad from dying of overwork by having gone in his place.
Historical Basis
Fu Hao, a consort of a Shang-era emperor, might have been the inspiration for Mulan, as she was also a brave general and intelligent priest. Unlike Mulan, Fu Hao didn't look, sound, or act like a boy.
Spread
Practically every Chinese person knows about her, even to the point where more progressive ones believe girls can act like boys while still being girls.
Variations & Mutation
In the Tang Colony States, Mulan is believed to be a very good shot with crossbows as the mythical figure has been syncretized with an actual gunslinger girl who was said to have turned the Manchu Repelling Operation in the Tang States' favor.
A somewhat less popular ending to the story penned in 1675 infers that Mulan failed to save her dad because he died of his illness before she returned from the army, so she committed suicide to stay with him.
A somewhat less popular ending to the story penned in 1675 infers that Mulan failed to save her dad because he died of his illness before she returned from the army, so she committed suicide to stay with him.
In Literature
All kinds of books have been written about the Flower General, and one of those was adapted into a popular animated film for the Tang Colony States; which renewed interest in the legend.
In Art
The Flower General is an animated film about the legend, which is known for using a heavily inked style.
In fashion, the Mulan archetype is described as being tall, slender, and strong with neck-length black hair and very long legs due to the animated film's popularity.
In fashion, the Mulan archetype is described as being tall, slender, and strong with neck-length black hair and very long legs due to the animated film's popularity.
Date of First Recording
500 AD
Date of Setting
Around 400 AD.
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