Chinese Legend of the White Snake

Photograph "Long Gallery-Legend white snake" by Shizhao under this license, unmodified

From the research I’ve done on White Snake, it seems this tale has resonated with the Chinese for many years and is regarded as one of their Four Great Folktales, sitting alongside "Lady Meng Jiang," "Butterfly Lovers," and "The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl."

When I read the suggestion to explore this story with you, I felt that it would be a great one to discuss for February 2021’s Myth of the Month - partly because of its influence and partly because it is such a romantic tale.

Now, onto the story itself. *clears throat*

Long ago, there was an herbalist named Xu Xian. He owned a medicine shop with his wife, Bai Su Zhen. Not only were they deeply in love, but they were also well-liked by their neighbors, and they were known to cure many ailments with Bai Su Zhen’s concoctions.

However, trouble was brewing. A suspicious spirit took the form of a monk named Fai Hai, came to Xu Xian, and asserted that Bai Su Zhen was a demon in disguise. Xu Xian didn’t believe him, of course, as there was no evidence supporting the claim that his affectionate and charitable wife could be a demon. Still, Fai Hai insisted she was a demon. He told Xu Xian that this fact could be proven if Xu Xian served Bai Su Zhen a drink of realgar wine, as this special wine would repel any “bad” spirits and demons.

Xu Xian didn’t intend on giving Bai Su Zhen the wine, but as the days passed, he grew more and more curious. Finally, he gave in and served her the wine. After sipping the drink, Bai Su Zhen grew ill and fled to their room. Worried for his wife, Xu Xian prepared her some medicine and brought it to her. However, upon entering their room, Xu Xian saw something he could have never expected. Bai Su Zhen had been transformed into a giant white snake. Fai Hai was right after all; Bai Su Zhen was a demon, and Xu Xian died instantly from the shock.

Photograph "Legend of the White Snake" by Jnzl under this license, unmodified

When Bai Su Zhen awoke and saw her husband’s dead body, she realized what must have happened. He had found out her secret and the shock had killed him. She was an immortal demon, the White Snake, and had magical powers. She had taken the form of a human to spend her life with Xu Xian. But what Xu Xian hadn't known was that the pair possessed a karmic connection that dated back for years. Lifetimes before this one, Xu Xian had shown Bai Su Zhen tremendous kindness, even as a snake, and from then on she had always loved him.

Bai Su Zhen’s magic could not bring Xu Xian back to life, but she refused to give up on him. So she traveled to Mount Emei, one of the four sacred Buddhist mountains of China, in search for a cure that would bring him back to life. Thankfully, she found an herb that, coupled with her magic, would do the trick.

And when she finally revived Xu Xian, he told her he didn’t mind that she was a demon - he was just happy to see her again.

I hope you enjoyed February 2021’s Myth of the Month!