木兰：替父从军展非凡，铁血英姿立世间
Mulan, also known as Hua Mulan, is a heroine from Chinese folk legend. She became “the first Asian Disney princess” when the animated musical action-adventure movie Mulan was produced by Walt Disney Pictures in 1998.
Why Mulan Is Famous
Mulan is a well-known heroine in China because she cared deeply about the national crisis, protected her family, and proved that women could be as strong as men. Her story was recounted in The Ballad of Mulan, a folksong in the Northern and Southern Dynasties. Nowadays, The Ballad of Mulan is a must-read article for all Chinese middle school students.
The Story of Mulan
According to The Ballad of Mulan, Mulan was born in 412 AD during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386–534). Her father was a retired soldier. To cultivate Mulan’s courage, he taught Mulan martial arts and weapons practice, such as riding, shooting arrows, and swordplay when she was a child. As she got older, her military talents grew stronger.
Her life took a turn when the Rouran people invaded China. To protect the country, the ruler issued a conscription (征兵) order. As the only adult male in the family, Mulan’s elderly father was listed in the draft. Mulan was anxious about the situation and she made the courageous decision to replace her father in the military draft.
She disguised herself as a man and started twelve years of army life in the frontier. Mulan eventually returned home in triumph after 12 years. To praise her bravery during the battles, the ruler wanted to grant her the position of officer but Mulan declined. She just desired to stay with her family and to spend more time with her parents.
Have you read The Ballad of Mulan or watched any movies about Mulan? Do you like her? Share your thoughts HERE.
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