We’re sure you’ve heard of Shakespeare’s romantic play, Romeo and Juliet, but have you ever heard of the "Chinese version" of it?
The Chinese romantic 民间传说 (mín jiān chuán shuō), Butterfly Lovers, is a similar but more dramatic story with characters from different culture and backgrounds. Unlike most plays and fairytales, 民间传说 is a special type of cultural production in China. They are legends based on certain historical events, traditions, and famous figures. People created the stories and spread the words orally from one generation to another. Therefore, as time passes by, it’s easy to confuse these folktales with actual history. Mulan, for example, was most likely not a real story. However, while 民间传说 are not real, they accurately reflect the emotions of people in those times.
