2. “It is time for this heroine’s Asian identity to be
recognized and the evocative story motifs
understood in their Asian contexts”
(Beauchamp 1)
What was the culture of
Yeh-Shen, also known as
Yexian?
3. Ch’in and Han
dynasties: 221 B.C.E.-
220 C.E.
Saw the end of
feudalism and the
development of the
imperial system
Focused on the practice
of rites and ceremonies
for the spirits
First Cinderella story
written down in 950
A.D. but set during this
time period
4. Children were sometimes used as slaves
“Polygamy was practiced among the Zhuang
[ancient Chinese people] in the late Tang Dynasty,
and children were supposed to be treated equally”
(Beauchamp 14).
Women enjoyed high status because of their
ability to weave.
Freedom came with this status; they could pick
their own husband!
5. According to Beauchamp, “Yexian’s father was a
leader to his group, the family appears
marginalized economically, and Yexian’s menial
work seems a harsh extension of a child’s
workload” and then, “the story rewards Yexian by
making her the first wife of a king, but it seems
ambivalent about the founding of a divinely
sanctioned royal line, and it does not value
hierarchy, obedience, and duty” (472).
6. “Tuohan was an island country that sent
embassies to Tang China in 645 and 648”
(Jameson 1932:77-78).
The island could be modern day Sumatra.
Map image source:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2e/LocationSumatra.svg/800px-LocationSumatra.svg.png
Note how far it is from
mainland China!
7. Fish have long been
symbols of “abundance
and wealth” in the
Chinese culture
The fish in the story is
believed to be a red carp
with golden eyes.
8. In a specific area of China, there are literally
thousands of caves!
“inscriptions in the caves date from the Tang
Dynasty” (Beauchamp 456).
Some scholars believe that “cave” in Chinese
could simply mean a “sheltered location” (456).
9. Many of the Chinese subcultures had
festivals where young men and women
would mingle to find their mates…
10. Some researchers believe this
being symbolizes ancestor
worship
He could also represent either
the dead father or the dead
mother
His long hair? Symbol of a
WITCH! (Beauchamp 456)
Can also be seen as a guardian
figure
11. “Chinese pavilions are
covered structures
without surrounding
walls and are a
traditional part of
Chinese architecture” (
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_).
Central watchtower, architectural model, Eastern Han
dynasty (25–220), 1st–early 3rd century
China
Source;
http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/1984.397
12. “Foot binding was seen as a
sign of beauty and
attractiveness” (Mao).
“also a symbol of identity
and virtue” (Mao).
Small feet were considered
beautiful.
Source: http://www.ispub.com/journal/the-internet-journal-of-biological-anthropology/volume-1-number-
2/foot-binding-beauty-and-torture.html
13. “Kingfishers are native
to watery Southwest
China, including the
Nanning area, and
to Southeast Asia,
where they were
hunted in Cambodia
to supply a Chinese
market with feathers
for jewelry”
(Beauchamp 457).
Photo source: World Book Encyclopedia
14. How can a shoe with soles of solid gold enable her to
walk “lighter than air”?
◦ The answer: TRANSLATION ISSUES! The shoes were
most likely embroidered with gold colored silk
threads on the soles and heels.
15. Questions to think about:
◦How big of a role does the culture
play in this story?
◦How could the story change for
other cultures based on your
understanding of cultural elements?
16. Animal Symbolism - Chinese Customs:
www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/Chinese.../animals_symbolism.htm
Beauchamp, Fay. "Asian Origins of Cinderella:The Zhuang Storyteller of Guangxi." Oral
Tradition 25.2 (2010): 447-96. www.journal.oraltradition.org. Web.
http://journal.oraltradition.org/files/articles/25ii/10_25.2.pdf .
Bolen, Eric G. "Kingfisher." World Book Student. World Book, 2012. Web. 19 July 2012.
“From Classic to Tradition: Ch’in and Han Dynasties”:
http://www.npm.gov.tw/exh95/chinhan/brief_en.html
Mao, J. “Foot Binding: Beauty And Torture. “The Internet Journal of Biological
Anthropology. 2008 Volume 1 Number 2. DOI: 10.5580/11bb
