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Bai Shu Zhen (白素貞), often translated as "Lady White Snake", is the title character of The Legend of the White Serpent, one of the most famous of Chinese myths. It has been the subject of many operas, books and films.
At its most basic the story is about the relationship between a human scholar and a serpent which has taken the form of a beautiful woman. The scholar falls in love with the woman but an abbot intervenes and destroys the serpent-woman.
Over the centuries the story has evolved from horror to love story. In the early versions the serpent-woman was a demon out to possess the scholar's soul. Later versions had the couple genuinely in love and having to confront the abbot because such a relationship is forbidden by the heavenly laws.
Some versions include a green snake who has also been turned into a woman and who is the white serpent-woman's companion.
See also: Madame White Snake | This article relating to a myth or legend from Asia is a stub. You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it. |