Mulan

Mulan is a legendary figure in Chinese folklore, best known from the Ballad of Mulan, a narrative poem dating from the Northern Wei period. The tale centers on a young woman who disguises herself as a man to take her aging father's place in the army. She serves with courage and discipline, earning the respect of comrades and commanders alike, before returning home. In most versions, her true gender is revealed only implicitly, and the story emphasizes filial piety and personal bravery rather than romance. The legend has given rise to many retellings across media and genres.

In 1998, Disney released an animated feature inspired by the legend. The film follows Mulan as she joins the Chinese army to defend the empire from invading forces while posing as a man. Supporting characters include the dragon Mushu and the cricket Cri-Kee, and the soundtrack features songs by Alan Menken and lyricist David Zippel. The movie was a commercial success and spurred additional adaptations, merchandise, and stage productions that helped popularize the story globally. A 2020 live-action adaptation, directed by Niki Caro and starring Liu Yifei, offered a more realistic war narrative and largely omitted the animated film’s musical elements and comic sidekicks.

Mulan's story has had a broad cultural impact, serving as a reference point in discussions of gender, filial duty, and heroism. The ballad remains a subject of scholarly analysis in Chinese literature and folklore, while the character has become a widely recognized symbol of female empowerment in international popular culture.