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The Legend of the White Snake

"The Legend of the White Snake" is a famous Chinese folktale about a love story between a human, Xu Xian, and Bai Suzhen, a beautiful woman who is actually a transformed white snake spirit. They fall in love and marry, but their happiness is threatened by a Buddhist monk who believes that humans and spirits should not be together. The story explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the conflict between the supernatural and the human world. It has been adapted into numerous films, operas, and performances, symbolizing the enduring power of true love against societal conventions.

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  • Image for The Legend of the White Snake

    The Legend of the White Snake is a famous Chinese folktale about a love story between a human, Xu Xian, and a snake spirit, Bai Suzhen, who transforms into a beautiful woman. They marry and live happily until a monk, Fahai, exposes her true identity, insisting that such a union is unnatural. The story explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the struggle between human and supernatural worlds. It reflects cultural beliefs about good and evil, the importance of loyalty, and the complexities of love. The legend has inspired countless adaptations in opera, film, and literature throughout the years.