Black Horse

The Ballad of Mulan

In short: Why do Mulan’s comrades have to get to know her again when she comes home in the Chinese ballad?

The Ballad of Mulan · Two hares running side by side FAIRY TALE ATLAS · № 205 The Ballad of Mulan Why do Mulan’s comrades have to get to know her again when she comes home in the Chinese ballad? Origin An early anonymous Chinese ballad. The approximate date in the Atlas refers to the poem’s composition. Atlas record c. 5th–6th century First appearance Exact date unknown SIGNATURE MOTIF Two hares running side by side Reach¹ 1/10 Suggested age² 8+ Member rating No votes yet 1 records · 1 countries or regions blackhorsestories.com

¹ Based on the number of Atlas countries, capped at 10. ² Editorial suggestion for reading this page. Discover Black Horse’s question

Origin and tradition

An early anonymous Chinese ballad. The approximate date in the Atlas refers to the poem’s composition.

Mulan rides away in place of her conscripted father. Back home, she puts on her old clothes and the people who fought beside her for years see her differently. The poem ends by asking how to tell two hares apart when they run side by side. It invites readers to consider what her comrades missed.

Dated records and sources

  1. c. 5th–6th century · China · Tang era
    Ode of Mulan · Asia for Educators, Columbia University

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Origin
Black Horse. The Ballad of Mulan. https://blackhorsestories.com/en/atlas-tale-mulan-ballad/