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The Real Mulan

Household heroine
The name of Hua Mulan has been synonymous with the term ‘heroine’ for hundreds of years in Chinese society and culture. Although it may have depicted a less authentic, westernised version of the original woman warrior, Disney's 1998 animated film brought Mulan's name to a wider audience.

The Mulan legend is the story of a young Chinese woman, who joined the army in place of her old, ailing father during the Sui dynasty, over a thousand years ago. Although there is some confusion as to where she originated from and in which era she lived, the general consensus is that Hua Mulan came from the area of China known as the Central Plains, during the Sui dynasty (AD 581-618).

Super-Hua-man
Differing versions of the legend do agree on one thing, however: her accomplishments. It is said that Hua Mulan's father received an order to serve in the army and fight against the barbarians from the north. Due to his age and infirmity, Hua Mulan felt his participation was impossible. An accomplished martial artist herself, she decided to disguise herself as a man and take her father's place. Hua Mulan went on to distinguish herself in battle and was promoted up the ranks. Eventually she became a General, known for brilliant military strategy. When the war was over the emperor asked General Hua what reward "he" would like. Hua asked for nothing except a speedy horse to take her home to her parents.

The Real Mulan
Arguably ‘the real Mulan’, Wang Cong’er (1777–1798) led the uprising of the White Lotus sect against the corrupt Qing regime. Expert at Kung Fu, she brandished a sword in each hand and instilled fear in her enemies. Intent on avenging the death of her beloved husband at the hands of the Qing, Wang led over 20,000 men into battle against the army of the greatest empire in Asia. Despite the obvious disadvantages of Wang’s peasant troops, they overcame and surprised the mighty Qing army again and again, with the use of guerrilla war tactics.

Sadly, the emperor’s army wised up to Wang’s tactics and, with an increased number of warriors, prepared to ambush the warrior queen and her men in the mountains and treat them to some of their own medicine. After thousands of her men were massacred, Wang was forced to retreat. With no escape route left to her, she jumped to her death. Wang Cong’er may have been defeated, but she had set a precedent for revolts against Chinese imperial rule. These continued until the mid-20th century, when Mao Tse-Tung and his peasant army eradicated the monarchy once and for all.