Diksia.com - Wuxia novel is a genre of Chinese fiction that features the adventures of martial heroes in ancient China.
The term wuxia literally means “martial heroes” and is composed of the elements wu (武), meaning “martial”, “military”, or “armed”, and xia (俠), meaning “chivalrous”, “vigilante”, or “hero”.
Wuxia novel is a form of historical fantasy literature that draws inspiration from Chinese folklore, mythology, and philosophy, especially Daoism.
The Origin and Development of Wuxia Novel
Wuxia novel has its roots in some early youxia tales from 300–200 BC, which depicted the deeds of assassins, outlaws, and wanderers who followed a code of chivalry and loyalty.
Some famous examples of youxia include Zhuan Zhu, who killed King Liao of Wu, and Jing Ke, who attempted to assassinate the King of Qin (later Qin Shi Huang).
These stories were recorded by historians such as Sima Qian, who also detailed some features of xia culture, such as their skills, weapons, values, and social status.
Wuxia novel as a distinct genre emerged in the late Ming dynasty and early Qing dynasty, when writers such as Feng Menglong and Pu Songling began to write stories about martial artists who fought against tyranny, injustice, and corruption.
These stories were influenced by the political and social turmoil of the time, as well as by the popular novels such as Romance of the Three Kingdoms and Water Margin.
Some of the earliest wuxia novels include The Seven Heroes and Five Gallants, The Book and the Sword, and The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber.
Wuxia novel reached its peak of popularity in the 20th century, especially after the May Fourth Movement in 1919, which promoted vernacular literature and cultural nationalism.
Many writers such as Jin Yong, Gu Long, Liang Yusheng, Huang Yi, and Wen Ruian created numerous wuxia novels that appealed to a wide audience with their vivid characters, thrilling plots, historical settings, and philosophical themes.
Some of these novels have been adapted into films, television series, comics, games, and other media forms.
The Characteristics and Elements of Wuxia Novel
Wuxia novel is characterized by its focus on martial arts and its depiction of a fictional martial world (江湖 jiānghú), where various sects, clans, schools, factions, and individuals compete or cooperate for fame, power, justice, or revenge.
