Hua Mu Lan

She is known by many names. Her story has survived thousands of years and countless retellings. Recently, this amazing young woman was even the star of her own motion picture. But was she real? We may never know for sure. Nevertheless, Mulan has captivated generations of Chinese poets, writers, artists, and playwrights.

The story of Mulan may have been based on another famous Chinese tale, the Legend of the Maiden of Yueh. This courageous woman was the first of many female warriors to be depicted in Chinese art and literature. Known for her expert swordsmanship, the Maiden of Yueh was said to have attributed her expertise to the skillful blending of yin (female and passive power) and yang (masculine and active power). This combination of energy made for an accomplished and gallant warrior sure to dominate in battle.

Mulan's story is just as exciting. When Mulan's father received an order to join the imperial army, the family worried, for although once a great warrior, he was now too old and ill to fight. To refuse the Khan's (ruler's) order, however, would bring dishonor and punishment upon the entire family. There was no question that Mulan's father had to go, for his only son, who might have served as a substitute, was much too young. Mulan, though, thought of another way. To protect her father and her family, Mulan herself decided to join the army in his place. Disguised as a man, she distinguished herself in battle as a brave warrior and a clever strategist. Summoned to the royal court at the war's end, the emperor offered Mulan a high government position as a reward for her devoted service. Mulan declined this bounty, accepting instead a fine horse from the emperor's stable. Only much later, when her former comrades in arms came to visit her, did Mulan reveal her true identity .

The story of Mulan first appeared as a poem entitled The Song of Mulan, composed sometime between 420 and 589. The saga was also included in the court anthologies of the Tang Dynasty, which ruled China during the period 618 to 907.

As with many other legends, numerous questions surround the story of Mulan. Opinions differ, for example, about her real name. According to Annals of the Ming, her surname was Zhu. The Annals of the Qing, on the contrary, identify her as Wei. One Chinese playwright put forth yet another interpretation. When Mulan joined the army in place of her father, according to this account, he gave her the surname Hua. Still others have stated that her surname was Mu.

In addition to questions about her name, there also remains the mystery of where and when Mulan may have lived. Some argue that she came from the Wan County in Hebei, while others believe she made her home in the Shangqiu province of Henan. Another opinion is that she was a native of the Liang prefecture in Gansu. There is general agreement only that Mulan hailed from a region known as the Central Plains of China.

Although Mulan may have never existed, the events described in The Song of Mulan were very real. Her story is set against the background of a series of historic battles fought between the Chinese and their fierce enemies the Tartars or Taters, who lived north of China in what are now Manchuria and Mongolia. The Tartars were nomads, or a people who moves from place to place with no permanent home. Expert horsemen, the Tartars were ruthless and skillful warriors.

The strategies that Mulan supposedly employed against the Tartars may have originated in a famous Chinese manuscript called The Art of War, written by Sun Tzu more than 2000 years ago. This book was essential reading for Chinese military leaders and is still in popular today not only among soldiers but among businessmen around the world as well!

The debate about Mulan's existence notwithstanding, her story is timeless, for who among us would not wish to live up to her example of steadfast devotion and courage? Her name, which translates as "magnolia," has come to mean "heroine" for thousands of admirers throughout the ages.