I don’t expect much of #Mulan but gf wants to see it so I will do a Thread on actual history of the legend of Mulan. Mulan is well known Chinese legend but a departure from traditional gender role expected of Chinese women. It’s because non-Chinese origin

In 184 AD, Yellow Turban Rebellion shaked foundation of long ruling Han Dynasty of China. Paving way to Three Kingdoms Era, 1 of the bloodiest period of Chinese history which would only end in a century later in 280 as Jin Dynasty reunited China briefly

Barely 11 years into reunification of a China devastated by War. Jin Dynasty is tore apart by War of Eight Princes in 291 AD. Han Dynasty has 65 million people at its height, Jin only had 35 million. Population halfed and will reduce again...

War of 8 princes led to collapse of Jin Dynasty and invasion of North China by steppe nomads in what is known as 16 Kingdoms period or in Chinese 五胡十六国， 5 barbarians and 16 kingdoms era as 5 main group of nomads established various states in N China while Jin hold on in S.

Eventually in 439 AD, an nomadic Turko-Mongol group Tuoba established Northern Wei Dynasty unified Northern China. Northern Wei brought much steppe culture into China. Women enjoyed higher standing in nomad society than sedentary Chinese society. nomad women fights in wars...

As Tuoba unified N. China under Northern Wei, another Turko-Mongol group Rouran aka Juan Juan unified the steppe formed powerful Rouran Khanate. Rouran continued nomad tradition of raiding N China. N Wei responds w counter-raid into Mongolia. Ballad of #Mulan arise from this war

In the ballad of Mulan, the nomad context is clear. 昨夜見軍帖可汗大點兵 “last night saw the army notice, Khan is calling up an army" This "khan" is referring to ruler of N China, emperor of Northern Wei. Images frm Chinese comic book of Mulan that I grew up with

After Communist came to power in China in 1949, in order to increase literacy rate as well as popularize Chinese classics, Mao's gov organized best Chinese artists into producing comic books for the masses. The result is amazing art in comics. This is #Mulan comic frm 1950s

1950s Chinese #Mulan comics were hard to find. I grew up with newly published works after Cultural Revolution when such work is permitted again. Again amazing comics art.

Women's elevated status due to nomad cultural influence on China would last a while. Tang Dynasty founder's daughter Princess Pingyang led an army called "Army of the Lady"娘子軍 to help her father seize the throne. A Great Wall pass 娘子關 Lady's Pass named after her.

Tang Dynasty ruling family came frm mixed Chinese-nomad background, hailing frm frontier town of Wuchuan 武川镇 in today's Inner Mongolia. Li Clan married Xianbei nomadic aristocracy for generations. even tho Li falsely claim 2 descend frm prestigious Chinese Li Clan frm Longxi

Tang Dynasty ruling elite retained many Inner Asian steppe nomad cultural traditions including elevated status of women. The result: Empress Wu Zetian, the only woman in Chinese history to sat on the Dragon Throne to rule as Emperor in her own right.

But Chinese women's social status would suffer a crippling blow under Song Dynasty with rise of Neo-Confucianism.
portrait of famous Neo-Confucian Zhu Xi

A literal crippling blow to Chinese women came in form of foot binding which spread among upper class women during Song Dynasty. Hard to be a woman warrior when you can barely walk on deformed feet.

By late Qing Dynasty, only Hakka women among ethnic Han Chinese don’t bind their feet. Coincidentally #Mulan trailer shows her family living in traditional Hakka walled compound in verdant South China. Not historically accurate, but artistic license ok.

Gf said she prefer to listen to me talk about Chinese history and culture on my Silk and Steel #podcast rather than read my long Tweet thread. If you feel the same please subscribe! https://www.patreon.com/silknsteel