The Ballad of Mulan

The Ballad of Mulan (Simplified: 铧木栏; Traditional: 鏵木欄) is an epic Chinese poem from the Tang Dynasty. The main character is Hua Mulan, a young woman who takes her sickly father's place in the army. She dies in combat, and when her father receives notice of the death of his son, he realizes what she had done. He mourns her for five years, then he dies as well.

Hua Mulan may be based on a real person who lived during the Sui Dynasty. However, she did not die. She was discovered before she was sent to war. The Emperor was so impressed by her piety to her father that he exempted the father from service and brought Hua Mulan into his court.

The Ballad of Mulan is considered a fine example of filial piety. Hua Mulan is held up as a role model for young people, especially girls.

In 1998, Disney made an animated film based on this story.