The Original Legend of Mulan: The Ballad, Its History and How It Changed

The original Mulan story is "The Ballad of Mulan" (Mulan Ci), a short Chinese folk poem of a few hundred characters, likely composed during the Northern Wei dynasty or the wider Northern Dynasties period (roughly the 5th–6th centuries CE). In it, Mulan takes her elderly father's place in the army by disguising herself as a man, fights for twelve years without her comrades discovering her identity, refuses an official post from the emperor, and returns home to her family. There is no dragon, no matchmaker and no love story.

Later writers added names, romance, tragedy and much more, eventually leading to Disney's 1998 film.

The Ballad of Mulan: What Happens

The weaving girl

The poem opens with the sound of Mulan weaving at her loom, then sighing. She isn't thinking of love, she says; she's read the military notices. The Khan is calling up troops, and her father's name is on every list. Her father is old, and she has no older brother.

Preparing for war

Mulan decides to go in her father's place. She buys a fine horse, a saddle, a bridle and a whip at the markets in the four directions. At dawn she leaves her parents; by evening she camps by the Yellow River and hears no longer her parents calling her but the rushing water.

Twelve years of war

The poem compresses the war into a few lines: she travels thousands of miles, crosses mountains, endures cold nights in armor. Generals die in battle, and after years, the brave return.

The emperor's reward

Mulan is presented to the emperor (called the Son of Heaven, as well as the Khan) and offered high rank and wealth. She refuses. All she asks for is a swift camel to carry her home.

Homecoming

Her parents rush out to greet her. Her sister puts on makeup; her little brother sharpens a knife to slaughter a pig and sheep for a feast. Mulan goes to her old room, takes off her armor, puts on her old clothes, combs her hair and applies makeup. When she steps out, her comrades are astonished. They traveled with her for twelve years and never knew she was a woman.

The rabbits

The poem ends with a famous image, paraphrased: when a male and female rabbit are sitting still, you can tell them apart; but when they run side by side across the ground, who can tell which is which? The meaning: in action, men and women can be equally capable.

When Was the Ballad Written?

The ballad's exact date is unknown. It's usually linked to the Northern Wei dynasty (386–535) because of its references to the "Khan" and campaigns against northern peoples. The earliest surviving text appears in the Yuefu Shiji, an anthology of folk songs compiled by Guo Maoqian in the 12th century, which cites an earlier 6th-century collection. Scholars think the poem was refined over time, perhaps by Tang dynasty poets.

How the Mulan Story Changed

Her full name, Hua Mulan, comes from later versions, especially Xu Wei's Ming-dynasty play. The original poem gives her only the name Mulan ("magnolia").

Was Mulan a Real Person?

There's no historical evidence that Mulan existed. She's a legendary figure. Several places in China claim to be her hometown, and there are temples and memorials dedicated to her, but historians treat the story as folk legend, not history.

What Does Mulan Mean?

Filial piety

In the original, Mulan's motivation is devotion to her father, a core Confucian value. She fights not for glory but to protect her family.

Gender and ability

The rabbit image at the end suggests that, in action, gender doesn't determine courage or skill. This message has made Mulan an enduring feminist symbol.

Humility

Mulan refuses high office and wealth and returns to her old life. Her story isn't about rising to power but about doing her duty and going home.

The Original vs. Disney

• No dragon. Mushu was created for the 1998 film.
• No love story. The ballad has no Li Shang.
• No discovery during war. In the poem, her comrades only learn the truth when she reveals herself at home.
• No villain. The enemy is unnamed.

For other heroines who disguise themselves to save loved ones, read about Gerda in The Snow Queen or Ranjha's jogi disguise in Heer Ranjha.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mulan based on a true story?

There's no evidence she was a real person. She comes from a folk poem, "The Ballad of Mulan."

How long did Mulan fight in the war?

Twelve years, according to the ballad.

When was the Ballad of Mulan written?

Probably during the Northern Wei dynasty or Northern Dynasties period, around the 5th–6th century, though the exact date is unknown.

Does Mulan fall in love in the original story?

No. The original ballad has no romance. Later versions added marriage.

What is Mulan's full name?

The original poem calls her only Mulan. The surname Hua was popularized by Xu Wei's 16th-century play.