Yuenü
Earliest-known author on swordplay, from the state of Yue.
Yuenü (越女), meaning “the Lady of Yue,” was a swordswoman from the ancient state of Yue, located in what is now Zhejiang province, China. She is also called the Maiden of the Southern Forest and is credited with writing the earliest known treatise on sword fighting.
She lived during the reign of King Goujian of Yue (496–465 BCE). As a child, she learned archery and swordsmanship while hunting with her father. When the king planned to attack the rival state of Wu, he heard of her abilities and summoned her to court. On her journey north, she encountered an old man who called himself “Old Mr. Yuan” (Yuan Gong). He challenged her to a duel, using a length of Linyu bamboo. The bamboo was rotten at one end, which broke off; Yuenü grabbed the fallen piece. The old man thrust the top end at her, but she parried, thrust three times, and struck him with her own end. The old man then leaped into a tree, transformed into a white gibbon (a type of ape), and disappeared. Each went their own way, and Yuenü continued to meet the king.
When she met King Goujian, she explained that her skill came from applying yin and yang energy, which she described using the metaphor of large and small swinging doors opening and closing. She said that while strengthening the spirit, one should remain outwardly calm. Her discourse on swordsmanship impressed the king, who ordered that her techniques be used to train his army. He gave her the title “Yue Woman” (越女) or Lady of Yue and appointed her to instruct his officers, who then trained the soldiers.
Her exposition is the earliest known written work on swordplay and influenced Chinese martial arts for centuries. During the Warring States period, the Baiyue people were noted for their swordsmanship and fine blades. According to the *Spring and Autumn Annals of Wu and Yue*, King Goujian met a female sword fighter named Nanlin (Yuenü), who demonstrated mastery of the art. He then commanded his top five commanders to study her method, which became known as the “Sword of the Lady of Yue.” The Yue people were also believed to possess mystical knives imbued with the talismanic power of dragons or other amphibious creatures.
Yuan Gong, the old man who challenged Yuenü, is described as a reincarnation of a monkey who mastered Tongbeiquan and followed Taoism.
- Field
- Swordsmanship, martial arts
- Nationality
- State of Yue (modern Zhejiang, China)
- Known for
- Earliest-known exposition on swordplay; training the army of King Goujian of Yue
Lore & Background
Yuenü lived during the reign of Goujian of Yue (496-465 BCE). From a young age, she learned archery and how to use a sword by hunting with her father. The King of Yue planned to attack the state of Wu and when he heard about her skills, he invited her to court. Along the way, she was challenged by an old man who was in reality a magic white Interconnected-arm gibbon ape. The old man, calling himself 'Old Mr. Yuan', drew a length of Linyu bamboo, but the bamboo was rotten at one end. Yuenü snatched the fallen end, parried his thrusts, and drove home her attack. Old Man Yuan then hopped up a tree, turning into a white ape, and each went their own way.
Upon meeting the king, the Maiden revealed the secret to her fighting ability is the application of yin and yang energy, metaphorically described as the opening and closing of large and small swinging doors. She claimed that, while strengthening the spirit, one should remain outwardly calm. Her exposition on the art of the sword impressed the king, who decreed that her skills be used to train his army and gave her the title 'the Yue Woman' or Lady of Yue. The king appointed her to train his army officers, who in turn instructed his army.
Reader's Guide
Yuenü's significance lies in her being the earliest-known expositor on the art of the sword, with her teachings influencing Chinese martial arts for generations. Her encounter with the old man, who transformed into a white ape, is a foundational legend linking her to mystical traditions. The king's decision to have her train his officers ensured her methods were disseminated throughout the Yue army. According to the Spring and Autumn Annals of Wu and Yue, King Goujian met a female sword fighter called Nanlin (Yuenü) who demonstrated mastery over the art, leading him to command his top five commanders to study her technique. This method became known as the 'Sword of the Lady of Yue'. The Yue were also thought to have possessed mystical knives imbued with the talismanic power of dragons or other amphibious creatures. The figure of Yuan Gong, the white ape, is later described as a reincarnation of a monkey who mastered Tongbeiquan, became a disciple of Jiutian Xuannu, and was sentenced to guard the White Cloud Cave after stealing a sacred document.
Did You Know?
- Yuenü is also known as the Maiden of the Southern Forest.
- She learned archery and sword use by hunting with her father from a young age.
- The old man who challenged her on the road was a magic white Interconnected-arm gibbon ape.
- Her exposition on swordplay is the earliest known on the art of the sword.
More in Mythological swordfighters 1-18
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