5 min read

Sigh after sigh Mulan sadly sighs, (唧唧复唧唧)

Facing the door while she weaves. (木兰当户织)

Not a hint of the loom-shuttle’s sound, (不闻机杼声)

Only the daughter’s sighs. (唯闻女叹息)

Ask the daughter who’s in her heart, (问女何所思)

Who’s on her mind? (问女何所忆)

“No one is in daughter’s heart, (女亦无所思)

No one is on daughter’s mind.” (女亦无所忆)

Last night she saw the draft list, (昨夜见军帖)

The Khan is calling for many troops, (可汗大点兵)

The army’s list in twelve scrolls, (军书十二卷)

Father’s name on every scroll. (卷卷有爷名)

Father has no grown son, (阿爷无大儿)

Mulan has no elder brother. (木兰无长兄)

Once done buying saddle and horse, (愿为市鞍马)

Mulan will take her father’s place. (从此替爷征)

These opening lines of the 5th-century Ballad of Mulan (木兰辞) foretell the story of a girl named Mulan (木兰), who disguises herself as a man to join the army in her father’s place. This tale—one of the most celebrated Chinese folktales of all time—has been passed down for generations, told at children’s bedsides and taught in elementary school curricula throughout China. The ballad goes on to unfold Mulan’s remarkable story.

She buys a swift horse in the East Market, (东市买骏马)

A saddle in the West, (西市买鞍鞯)

A bridle in the South, (南市买辔头)

And a long whip in the North. (北市买长鞭)

At dawn to the parents she bids farewell, (旦辞爷娘去)

At dusk along the Yellow River she camps. (暮宿黄河边)

No sound of her parents calling, (不闻爷娘唤女声)

Just the Yellow River roaring. (但闻黄河流水鸣溅溅)

At dawn she leaves the Yellow River, (旦辞黄河去)

At dusk she meets the Black Mountain. (暮至黑山头)

No sound of her parents calling, (不闻爷娘唤女声)

Just the nomads’ horses neighing. (但闻燕山胡骑鸣啾啾)

Thousand miles for war she goes, (万里赴戎机)

Through mountain passes she flies. (关山度若飞)

Gusts rattle the night hour-bell, (朔气传金柝)

While chilled light shines on her armor. (寒光照铁衣)

In a hundred battles generals die, (将军百战死)

In ten years only the brave soldiers arrive. (壮士十年归)

Upon her return, meeting the Emperor (归来见天子)

Enthroned in the grand palace, (天子坐明堂)

Giving out promotions in twelve ranks, (策勋十二)

And prizes of thousands and more. (赏赐百千强)

The Khan asks Mulan what she desires. (可汗问所欲)

“For a high position Mulan has no desire. (木兰不用尚书郎)

A swift mount I wish, (愿驰千里足)

To ride back to my village.” (送儿还故乡)

Her parents hearing daughter coming, (爷娘闻女来)

Rush out for an embrace. (出郭相扶将)

When her elder sister hears the news, (阿姊闻妹来)

She fixes her rouge. (当户理红妆)

When her younger brother hears the news, (小弟闻姊来)

He whets the knife, shing shing, for pig and sheep. (磨刀霍霍向猪羊)

“Through the east chamber door I enter, (开我东阁门)

On the west-side bed I rest. (坐我西阁床)

Taking off my battle garb, (脱我战时袍)

Putting on my old‑time wear.” (著我旧时裳)

Facing the window she fixes her cloud-like hair, (当窗理云鬓)

Facing the mirror she dabs on flower powder. (对镜帖花黄)

Out the gate she meets old comrades, (出门看火伴)

All amazed and perplexed. (火伴皆惊忙)

“Comrades for twelve years, (同行十二年)

Not knowing Mulan was a girl.” (不知木兰是女郎)

“The male‑hare’s feet go hop and skip, (雄兔脚扑朔)

The female‑hare’s eyes look puzzled. (雌兔眼迷离)

But when side by side they skip, (双兔傍地走)

How cannot one get befuddled?” (安能辨我是雄雌)

The Ballad of Mulan was created during the Northern Wei Dynasty (北魏, 386–534), a period following the fall of the Han Dynasty (汉朝) in 220 CE and preceding the reunification of China under the Sui Dynasty (隋朝) in 589 CE. The centuries in between—encompassing the Three Kingdoms (三国), the Wei–Jin period (魏晋), and the Northern and Southern Dynasties (南北朝)—were marked by political fragmentation, social upheaval, frequent warfare, and invasions by northern nomadic groups, alongside significant cultural exchange, most notably the establishment and spread of Buddhism in China. The Northern Wei rulers were originally the Xianbei (鲜卑), a nomadic people from the northern steppe, who actively adopted Han culture, including Chinese family names, customs, clothing, and language. During this time, a prolonged war broke out between Northern Wei and its northern neighbor, the Rouran Khanate (柔然国) in present-day Mongolia, lasting twelve years—a duration that aligns with the military campaign described in the Ballad.

This enduring Ballad has remained popular across generations because it encapsulates core Chinese cultural values: filial piety, loyalty to family and state, bravery, and humility. Rather than glorifying warfare, the poem centers on Mulan’s personal journey and her longing to return home, reflecting a traditional emphasis on harmony and stability over conquest. Throughout Chinese history, Mulan has been regarded as a symbolic and folkloric figure rather than a verifiable historical person, as no definitive historical records confirm her existence. Nevertheless, her legend has become an integral part of China’s cultural heritage, inspiring literature, theater, and modern adaptations, including animated and live-action films. The absence of historical evidence has not diminished Mulan’s significance; instead, her story continues to embody ideals admired across generations and cultures.

Photo credit: Baidu.com