Xu Xian

Xu Xian is a semi-mythological figure and a scholar (In some version, a physician). He is the main character in the Legend of the White Snake, one of China's four greatest folk tales. It has been adapted many times, including into Chinese operas, films, television series and other media.

Xu Xian
Xu Xian statue in the Beijing Opera
Traditional Chinese許仙
Simplified Chinese许仙

Legend
Image from the Summer Palace, Beijing, China, depicting the legend.

Some legend said that Xu Xian and Bai Suzhen were actually immortals who fell in love and were banished from Heaven because celestial laws forbade their romance. They are reincarnated as a male human and a female white snake spirit respectively and their story begins.

During the Qingming Festival, he coincidentally meet Bai Suzhen at the Broken Bridge, and he eventually gets married to her. However, their happiness is short-lived when a Buddhist abbot Fahai discovers her true origin, and exposes Bai Suzhen to be a snake. Xu Xuan mortified to find his wife has been a snakes, dies of a heart attack. Bai Suzhen find the cure to revive Xu Xuan at Mount Emei.[1] After she revives him, Xu Xian confesses that he still loves Bai Suzhen. Bai Suzhen fight for both her marriage and her freedom. At last, Fahai tracks them down, defeats Bai Suzhen and imprisons her in Leifeng Pagoda.[2]

Influence
Further information: List of media adaptations of the Legend of the White Snake

References
  1. Wei, Liming (25 August 2011). Chinese Festivals. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-18659-9.
  2. Breeze, Darlien C. (9 April 2018). The Golden Key. Strategic Book Publishing & Rights Agency. ISBN 978-1-68181-354-7.
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