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.
The martial world is often parallel to or hidden from the mundane world (红尘 hóngchén), where ordinary people live under the rule of law and morality.
The martial world is also influenced by the supernatural forces of heaven (天 tiān) and earth (地 dì), which can reward or punish the actions of martial artists.
Wuxia novel usually features a protagonist who is either a martial artist or an aspiring one.
The protagonist often undergoes a journey of self-cultivation (修炼 xiūliàn), which involves learning martial arts skills (武功 wǔgōng), internal energy (气 qì), techniques (招式 zhāoshì), weapons (兵器 bīngqì), and secrets (秘籍 mìjí) from various sources such as masters (师父 shīfu), manuals (秘笈 mìjí), relics (遗物 yíwù), or encounters (奇遇 qíyù).
The protagonist also faces various challenges such as enemies (敌人 dírén), rivals (对手 duìshǒu), friends (朋友 péngyǒu), lovers (恋人 liànrén), mentors (恩师 ēnshī), or fate (命运 mìngyùn) that test his or her moral values, loyalty, courage, wisdom, and love.
Wuxia novel often incorporates elements from other genres such as romance (言情 yánqíng), mystery (悬疑 xuányí), comedy (喜剧 xǐjù), tragedy (悲剧 bēijù), horror (恐怖 kǒngbù), fantasy (幻想 huànxiǎng), or science fiction (科幻 kēhuàn).
Wuxia novel also reflects the cultural diversity of China by featuring characters from different regions, ethnicities, religions, and backgrounds.
Wuxia novel also explores various themes such as heroism (英雄 yīngxióng), justice (正义 zhèngyì), freedom (自由 zìyóu), loyalty (忠诚 zhōngchéng), friendship (友情 yǒuqíng), love (爱情 àiqíng), revenge (复仇 fùchóu), honor (荣誉 róngyù), or destiny (天命 tiānmìng).
The Difference between Wuxia Novel and Other Related Genres
Wuxia novel is sometimes confused with other related genres such as xianxia (仙侠 xiānxiá) and xuanhuan (玄幻 xuánhuàn).
Xianxia literally means “immortal heroes” and is a genre of Chinese fiction that features the adventures of immortal cultivators who seek eternal life and the pinnacle of strength.
Xianxia is heavily influenced by Daoism and often involves elements such as magic, demons, ghosts, gods, and other realms.
Xuanhuan literally means “mysterious fantasy” and is a broad genre of Chinese fiction that remixes Chinese folklore and mythology with foreign elements and settings. Xuanhuan may or may not include xianxia elements, but usually lacks the Daoist influence.
The main difference between wuxia novel and other related genres is the level of fantasy and the degree of adherence to historical reality.
Wuxia novel is generally considered to be a low fantasy genre that is based on historical China and its martial arts traditions. Wuxia novel may include some supernatural elements, but they are usually limited or explained by natural laws.
Wuxia novel also follows the historical timeline and events of China, although it may fictionalize or exaggerate some aspects. Xianxia and xuanhuan novels, on the other hand, are high fantasy genres that are not bound by historical accuracy or realism.
They often create their own worlds, systems, races, and cosmologies that are based on or inspired by Chinese culture, but are not limited by it.
What are some famous wuxia novels?
Some famous wuxia novels are:
- A Hero Born by Jin Yong. It is the first part of the Condor Trilogy, which follows the adventures of Guo Jing, a martial artist who becomes involved in the conflicts between the Song dynasty and the Mongols.
- Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon by Wang Dulu. It is the fourth part of the Crane-Iron Pentalogy, which tells the love story of Li Mu Bai and Yu Shu Lien, two martial artists who are entangled in a web of secrets, betrayal, and revenge.
- The Eleventh Son by Gu Long. It is a standalone novel that features Xiao Shiyi Lang, a mysterious swordsman who falls in love with Shen Bijun, a beautiful woman who is coveted by many powerful men in the martial world.
- The Three Kingdoms by Luo Guanzhong. It is a historical novel that dramatizes the events of the Three Kingdoms period, when China was divided into three rival states. It depicts the lives and deeds of many legendary heroes, such as Liu Bei, Cao Cao, Zhuge Liang, and Guan Yu.
- Water Margin by Shi Nai’an. It is another historical novel that recounts the exploits of 108 outlaws who gather at Mount Liang and form a rebel army to fight against the corrupt Song dynasty. It portrays the themes of loyalty, justice, and heroism among the outlaws.
Who is the most famous author of wuxia novels?
The most famous author of wuxia novels is probably Jin Yong, also known as Louis Cha. He is widely regarded as the greatest and most popular wuxia writer ever, with his 15 works written between 1955 and 1972.
His novels have been translated into many languages and adapted into various media forms, such as films, television series, comics, and games.
Some of his most famous works include The Legend of the Condor Heroes, The Return of the Condor Heroes, The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber, Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils, and The Smiling, Proud Wanderer
Other famous authors of wuxia novels include:
- Wang Dulu, who wrote the Crane-Iron Pentalogy, which includes Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. He was one of the most popular wuxia writers of the 1930s and influenced many later writers.
- Gu Long, who wrote The Eleventh Son, Chu Liuxiang Series, Lu Xiaofeng Series, and many other novels. He was known for his unique style of writing, which was concise, poetic, and romantic.
- Liang Yusheng, who wrote The White-Haired Demoness, Seven Swordsmen, and many other novels. He was known for his historical accuracy, social commentary, and female empowerment.
- Huang Yi, who wrote A Step into the Past, Da Tang Shuang Long Zhuan, and many other novels. He was known for his fusion of wuxia with science fiction, fantasy, and history.
What is the most popular wuxia novel of all time?
There is no definitive answer to which wuxia novel is the most popular of all time, as different readers may have different preferences and opinions.
However, based on some sources, some of the most popular wuxia novels are:
- The Legend of the Condor Heroes by Jin Yong. It is the first part of the Condor Trilogy, which follows the adventures of Guo Jing, a martial artist who becomes involved in the conflicts between the Song dynasty and the Mongols. It is widely regarded as one of the best and most influential wuxia novels ever written.
- The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber by Jin Yong. It is the third part of the Condor Trilogy, which tells the story of Zhang Wuji, a young man who inherits a powerful martial arts manual and becomes entangled in a complex web of love, loyalty, and betrayal. It is also one of the most adapted wuxia novels in various media forms.
- Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils by Jin Yong. It is another standalone wuxia novel by Jin Yong, which features four protagonists who are each related to one of the four great sects in the martial world. They each face different challenges and dilemmas as they seek their own destinies and identities.
- Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon by Wang Dulu. It is the fourth part of the Crane-Iron Pentalogy, which tells the love story of Li Mu Bai and Yu Shu Lien, two martial artists who are entangled in a web of secrets, betrayal, and revenge. It is best known for its movie adaptation, which won four Academy Awards and became an international success.
- The Three Kingdoms by Luo Guanzhong. It is a historical novel that dramatizes the events of the Three Kingdoms period, when China was divided into three rival states. It depicts the lives and deeds of many legendary heroes, such as Liu Bei, Cao Cao, Zhuge Liang, and Guan Yu. It is not a true wuxia novel, but it was influential in setting many elements that form the core of the genre.
What is the most popular wuxia movie of all time?
Again, there is no definitive answer to which wuxia movie is the most popular of all time, as different viewers may have different preferences and opinions.
However, based on some sources, some of the most popular wuxia movies are:
- Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000). Directed by Ang Lee and based on the novel by Wang Dulu, this movie features a couple unable to fulfill their love due to the wide gap in their social status. The theft of a famed sword provides them the opportunity to finally be in love. It is widely regarded as one of the best and most successful wuxia movies ever made, winning four Academy Awards and becoming an international sensation.
- Hero (2002). Directed by Zhang Yimou and starring Jet Li, this movie tells the story of a nameless assassin who claims to have killed three legendary warriors who plotted to assassinate the King of Qin. The king, however, doubts his story and questions him about his motives and methods. It is a visually stunning and philosophically rich movie that explores the themes of heroism, patriotism, and truth. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and was a box office hit.
- The Grandmaster (2013). Directed by Wong Kar-wai and starring Tony Leung and Zhang Ziyi, this movie depicts the life and times of Ip Man, a legendary martial arts master who trained Bruce Lee. It spans several decades of Chinese history, from the fall of the Qing dynasty to the Japanese invasion to the rise of communism. It is a stylish and poetic movie that showcases the beauty and diversity of Chinese martial arts styles. It was nominated for two Academy Awards for Best Cinematography and Best Costume Design.
- Shadow (2018). Directed by Zhang Yimou and starring Deng Chao, this movie follows a young man who serves as a body double for a wounded general who plots to reclaim his city from a rival kingdom. He trains in a secret martial arts technique that uses umbrellas as weapons and falls in love with the general’s wife. It is a visually stunning and thrilling movie that uses a monochromatic color scheme to create a contrast between light and dark, reality and illusion, and loyalty and betrayal. It won four awards at the Golden Horse Film Festival, including Best Director.
- A Touch of Zen (1971). Directed by King Hu and starring Hsu Feng, this movie follows an artist who helps a beautiful woman avenge her family. Featuring elegant sword fights and kung-fu sequences, A Touch of Zen was an instant hit with fans of the wuxia genre. The movie also touches on many themes such as spirituality, feminism, and conservatism. Due to the movie’s stunning visual shots, enthralling story, and energetic scenes, it is the first Chinese-language movie to win the Cannes Film Festival’s Technical Grand Prize.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed learning about wuxia novels and movies. They are a fascinating genre of Chinese fiction that showcases the adventures of martial heroes in ancient China.
If you are interested in reading or watching more wuxia stories, you can check out some of the sources I have provided or search for more online. Thank you for chatting with me. Have a nice day!
