New Legend of Madame White Snake

Lore & Background

The series follows Bai Su Zhen, who after centuries of Taoist training on Mount Emei, transforms from a snake into human form through her own cultivation, seeking divinity under the guidance of Guan Yin. She meets and defeats Xiao Qing, a fellow serpent, who becomes her sworn sister and close companion. Bai enters the human world to repay a young man (Xu Xian's past life) who saved her life when she was a snake; guided by Guan Yin, she finds his reincarnation, Xu Xian (Hanwen), on Tomb Sweeping Day near West Lake. They fall in love at first sight on the Broken Bridge. Xu Xian works in a pharmacy and studies medicine. They marry and have a child, but are pursued by the religious zealot Fa Hai, who believes a demon can never become good. To save her child, Bai agrees to be imprisoned in Lei Feng Pagoda.

Reader's Guide

New Legend of Madame White Snake is significant as a 1992 television adaptation of the enduring Chinese folk legend Legend of the White Snake. Its broadcast on China Central Television in 1993 turned it into a major hit, and its sustained popularity for over two decades—still being one of the most replayed TV series in 2016—demonstrates its deep cultural resonance. The series dramatizes themes of love, sacrifice, and the conflict between human and supernatural realms, embodied by the characters Bai Su Zhen, Xu Xian, and the antagonist Fa Hai. Its legacy lies in its role in popularizing the legend for modern audiences across Chinese-speaking regions, maintaining relevance through repeated broadcasts long after its initial release.

Did You Know?

• The protagonist Bai Su Zhen transforms from a snake into human form after centuries of Taoist training on Mount Emei.
• Bai Su Zhen agrees to be imprisoned in Lei Feng Pagoda to save her child.