Mu Guiying

In this article, we will explore the topic of Mu Guiying from different perspectives, analyzing its impact on current society and the implications it has for the future. Mu Guiying is a topic that has generated debates and controversies in various areas, and it is important to deepen its understanding to have a more complete and enriching panorama. Throughout this article, we will examine different studies, expert opinions, and concrete examples to shed light on Mu Guiying and offer a comprehensive view of its relevance today.

In this Chinese name, the family name is Mu.
Mu Guiying
Generals of the Yang Family character
from one 1882 print of the early 17th century novel Popular Romance of Generations of Loyal and Brave Yang Family Members (楊家府世代忠勇通俗演義)
In-universe information
GenderFemale
SpouseYang Zongbao
ChildrenYang Wenguang, son
Yang Jinhua (楊金花), daughter
FatherMu Yu (穆羽)
Mu Guiying
Chinese穆桂英
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinMù Guìyīng
Wade–GilesMu4 Kuei4-ying1
Yue: Cantonese
Yale RomanizationMuk6 Gwai3-ying1
JyutpingMuk6 Gwai3-jing1

Mu Guiying (穆桂英) is a legendary heroine from ancient China's Northern Song dynasty and a prominent figure in the Generals of the Yang Family legends. She is the wife of Yang Zongbao and mother of Yang Wenguang. Brave, resolute and loyal, Mu is the cultural symbol of a steadfast woman.[1]

Legends

Mu Guiying practiced martial arts from a young age after her bandit father Mu Yu (穆羽) who ruled the Muke Fortress (穆柯寨). One day Yang Zongbao, the youngest warrior of the illustrious Yang clan, came to the fortress demanding the Dragon-Taming Wood (降龍木) on the order of his father, Marshall Yang Yanzhao. Mu refused so they fought in a duel which resulted in Yang Zongbao being captured. While Yang Zongbao refused to surrender and demanded death, Mu found herself attracted to her prisoner and boldly made a marriage proposal, which Yang Zongbao eventually accepted. After Yang Zongbao returned and reported the events, an infuriated Yang Yanzhao ordered the disgraced son executed. To save Yang Zongbao, Mu came out of the fortress and engaged in a battle with Yang Yanzhao, also capturing him. Mu apologized to her future father-in-law and finally Yang Yanzhao agreed to the marriage and welcomed Mu to his family and troops.

Mu played a huge part in the following battle against the Khitan forces, especially in breaking their previously unstoppable Heavenly Gate Formation (天門陣).

Mu Guiying had 2 children with Yang Zongbao, son Yang Wenguang and daughter Yang Jinhua.

Legacy

Mu Guiying is sometimes venerated as a door goddess, usually in partnership with Qin Liangyu.

The Mu Guiying crater on Venus is named after her.

During China's Great Leap Forward period (1958–1960), Mu Guiying was widely praised and a women-led Mu Guiying Brigade was established.[2]

In the graphic novel Boxers by Gene Luen Yang, the character Mei-wen transforms into Mu Guiying.[3]

Portrayal in films and TV series

A 19th century mural painting at the Long Corridor of Summer Palace, Beijing, depicting Mu Guiying with a medicine man.

References

  1. ^ Mu Guiying - Breaking the Heavenly Gate Formation Archived 2012-11-11 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ Manning, Kimberley Ens (2010). "Embodied Activisms: The Case of the Mu Guiying Brigade". The China Quarterly. 204: 850–869. doi:10.1017/S0305741010000998.
  3. ^ Smith, Carissa Turner (2018-08-28). "Postsecular Cosplay, Fundamentalism and Martyrdom in Gene Luen Yang's Boxers & Saints". In Stratman, Jacob (ed.). Teens and the New Religious Landscape: Essays on Contemporary Young Adult Fiction. McFarland & Company. pp. 202-. ISBN 9781476630991. CITED: p. 209

Additional sources