Where It All Began

The legend the movie is based on.

It is not decided whether or not the legend of Mulan is real, but there are many versions of her story created throughout the ages. The original story came from a folk song in the Northern Wei Dynasty called The Ballad of Mulan. The transcription of this song no longer exists and the poem used today is from the 6th century.

The story has many variations but it always begins the same way. Mulan is washing clothes when she hears that the army was recruiting soldiers to fight. In order to save her ailing father Hua Hu, she goes in his place disguised as his son. Most variations also include the fact that Mulan didn’t learn to fight in training camp. Her father had already taught her swordplay and strategy from a young age because he believed that everyone, even girls, should know how to fight. Other variations say also that her decision to go in place of her father was a family decision and her family supported her.

Mulan carries her ancestors’ sword into battle and fights honorably for 11 to 12 years, but refuses any rewards and retires to her hometown instead. During the war, she meets an officer by the name of Jin Yong with whom she falls love.

After 10 years of fighting and being promoted to general, Mulan decided to reveal herself as a woman before a difficult battle. Jin Yong became more attached to her after he realized she was a woman, and her fellow soldiers greeted her with respect and admiration and she inspired her army to win that battle.

After that final victory, Mulan returned home and met the Emperor. He wanted to reward Mulan but all she asked for was a horse to ride home on. In many variations, Mulan returns home to find that her father has passed away and she is haunted by the ghosts of what happened on the battlefield. She is so distressed that she commits suicide.