Mulan is a popular character from the Disney movie Mulan yet her name is actually spelt Hua Mu-Lan. It is in debate whether she is a real person or not but she is a heroine of a famous Chinese poem writted during the Northern Dynasties in 420-589 AD. In the poem she disguises herself as a man to serve in the army of her father, while serving she is recognized as a courageous soldier. When she finally goes home and puts back on her lady clothes she shocks her fellow soldiers who didn't know she was a female. Unlike the Disney movie Mulan she is not discovered while in the army and banished. In the Ming dynasty her story was expanded into a novel. Although no one knows for sure if Mulan was a real person people have disguised themselves as men throughout history so they could serve their countries, making her story realistic.
Here are a few stanzas from the Ballad of Mulan:
Mulan sits at the loom,
Yet the shuttle is silent.
The parents hear their daughter sigh.
"What are your thoughts, my child?" they ask
"What are your ponderings?"
"I have no thoughts or ponderings."
"Last night I saw the military roster."
"The Khan is raising a huge army:"
"12 scrolls of soldier's names."
"Father's name is on every one."
"Daddy has no grown son."
"I have no older brother."
"I would like to go to the market to buy a horse and saddle"
"To join the campaign in your stead."
She buys a horse in the North Market.
She buys a saddle in the West Market.
She buys a bridle in the South Market.
She buys a long whip in the East Market.
In the morning she bids farewell to her parents.
In the evening she stands on the banks of the Yellow River.
She does not hear Father and Mother calling for their daughter.
She only hears the roaring of the Yellow River.
She leaves the Yellow River behind her.
She spends the night at the top of Black Mountain.
She does not hear Father and Mother calling for their daughter.
She only hears the war horses of the Hu soldiers neighing.
For more information on Mulan check out:
http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/5082/mulanfaq.html#q1
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