Lady of Yue-Yuenü is also known as Aliao and Maiden of the Southern Forest but no one knows her true name. She is a legendary Chinese swordswoman from the province of Zehjiang, during the 5th century BCE.
There are different speculations where Yue-Yuenü got her skills. Some sources say she developed her own sword fighting techniques to protect her home [2]. Another source says she learned her skills from her father while hunting [3]. Wherever she learned her skills from, her reputation exceeded her and caught the attention of King Gouijan of Yue. The King wanted a military specialist to train his troops for the war between the Wu and Yue States [1]. When he asked Prime Minister, Fan Li, for advice Fan Li said he "heard of a maiden in Southern Forest, skilled in sword fighting and well-spoken of by the people of (their) nation" [1].
The King decided to invite her and evaluate her skills. The King was impressed with her philosophy and methods of fighting. Her fighting skills were to take on more than one attacker at a time. Her skills were based on her own philosophy of strengthening the spirit while remaining calm in combat [2]. She went on to train his troops in sword fighting and her way of fighting became known as "The Sword System of the Lady of Yue" [1]. "Hers is the earliest known display of the art of the sword which influenced Chinese Martial Arts, introducing the concept of using agility and fluid speed to counter the advantages of physical strength. She also is recognized as developing a new form of metallurgy that could create nondestructive bronze swords with flexible cores and sharp edges, which became known as 'Yuenü swords' [2]. In 1965 archeologist discovered a sword describes as such along-side the remains of King Goujian [2].
I think it is amazing that Yue-Yuenü was able to learn sword fighting and archery as a woman at a young age. Usually, when I think of women in history they are not trained to fight but restrained to housework. I think without Yue-Yuenü influence on Chinese Martial Arts it would not be based on virtue and peace, but it would be based on violence and aggression. Her story inspires me to be confident in my skills and to show people that I am capable of doing extraordinary things with the knowledge that I have.
Work Cited
“The Maiden of the Southern Forest - Master Swordswoman and Military Trainer.” The Maiden of the Southern Forest - Master Swordswoman and Military Trainer - ColorQ Articles Etc, ColorQ World, www.colorq.org/articles/article.aspx?d=asianwomen&x=nanlin. [1].
Wulfmojo. “The Female Soldier.” The Female Soldier, Tumblr, 20 Oct. 2014, the-female-soldier.tumblr.com/post/100511039895/yuenü-or-the-lady-of-yue-was-a-legendary-chinese. [2].
Revolvy, LLC. “‘Yuenü’ on Revolvy.com.” Revolvy, www.revolvy.com/page/Yuenü. [3].
I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Yue-Yuenü was asked by the king to train his troops. I wouldn't expect that during this time period. Instead, I expected the king to reject Fan Li's advice after he learned the swordsperson was a maiden. Furthermore, it's very impressive that she developed her own sword-fighting techniques that influenced a whole style of fighting. Yue-Yuenü was definitely an influential woman in Chinese culture.
ReplyDeleteI agree that when I think of women in history they are usually bound to housework, but I was surprised in this case. I like the fact that she was a woman that trained thousands of men with techniques that she developed herself. I also think that it is amazing that she was specifically asked by the King himself. She is an intense female warrior and I can see why other women should look to her as a role model.
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