5 Chinese Folktale Characters

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Chinese culture is famous for writing folktales that explain human nature and unfold historical or legendary events. The supernatural beings and animals turned into human forms are also frequently encountered in Chinese folktales.

So, let’s dive into the world of Chinese folktales by learning four common Chinese folktale characters.

Supernatural being 神仙

神 (God) + 仙 (Immortal) = 神仙 (shén xiān)

神仙 has various usages. Besides “supernatural being,” it can mean “God,” “celestial being,” or “fairy.” You’ll often come across this word when reading Chinese folktales!

Celestial being/Immortal 仙人

仙 (Immortal) + 人 (Person)  = 仙人 (xiān rén)

Immortals in Chinese folktales live happily, know how to entertain themselves in various ways and collectively represent long life. So, unsurprisingly, the figures of immortals are often associated with birthday celebrations and still enjoy their popularity in the modern Chinese world. 

White snake 白蛇

白 (White) + 蛇 (Snake) = 白蛇 (bái shé)

The Legend of the White Snake (白蛇传) is a Chinese folktale about a white-snake fairy who flees down to the human world and falls in love with a man called Xu Xuan. The white-snake spirit transformed itself into a beauty (美人) and married the man Xu Xuan. However, their relationship turned sour after Xu Xuan discovered his wife’s secret.

The tortoise & The hare 龟兔

龟 (Turtle) + 兔 (Rabbit) = 龟兔 (guī tù)

“The Tortoise and the Hare” is a well-known story among adults and children around the world, and China is no exception. The Chinese title of the story is translated into 龟兔赛跑 (turtle + rabbit + race), and the outcome of the race, as you may already know – the tortoise won!

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