The Butterfly Lovers
In ancient China, during the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317–420 CE), there lived a young woman named Zhu Yingtai. She was intelligent, curious, and eager to learn, but during that time, education was largely reserved for men. Determined to pursue her studies, Zhu Yingtai disguised herself as a young man and set off for Hangzhou to attend school.
On her journey, she met a kind and scholarly young man named Liang Shanbo. The two quickly became close friends, bonding over their shared love of learning and their dreams for the future. They studied together, ate together, and spent countless hours discussing poetry, philosophy, and life. Over time, Zhu Yingtai found herself falling in love with Liang Shanbo, but she could not reveal her true identity without risking her education.
Three years passed, and Zhu Yingtai received a letter from her family, urging her to return home. Reluctant to leave Liang Shanbo, she decided to reveal her feelings in a subtle way. Before departing, she told Liang Shanbo that she had a "younger sister" at home who was just like her in every way. She suggested that Liang Shanbo visit her family and propose to this "sister." Liang Shanbo, unaware of Zhu Yingtai's true identity, agreed to the plan.
When Zhu Yingtai returned home, she was heartbroken to learn that her parents had arranged a marriage for her with a wealthy man named Ma Wencai. Despite her protests, her parents insisted that she honor the arrangement, as it would bring prestige and security to the family.
Meanwhile, Liang Shanbo, eager to meet Zhu Yingtai's "sister," traveled to her home. When he arrived, he was shocked to discover that Zhu Yingtai was, in fact, the "sister" she had spoken of. Overjoyed to finally understand her feelings for him, Liang Shanbo immediately proposed marriage. However, Zhu Yingtai tearfully explained that she was already betrothed to another man and could not defy her family's wishes.
Heartbroken, Liang Shanbo returned home. The pain of losing Zhu Yingtai was too much to bear, and he fell gravely ill. Before long, he passed away, his final wish being to be buried near Zhu Yingtai's home so that he could be close to her in death.
On the day of Zhu Yingtai's wedding to Ma Wencai, a fierce storm erupted. As the wedding procession passed by Liang Shanbo's grave, Zhu Yingtai begged to stop and pay her respects. When she approached the grave, it suddenly split open, revealing Liang Shanbo's spirit. Overwhelmed with grief and love, Zhu Yingtai leaped into the grave, choosing to join Liang Shanbo in death rather than live without him.
The storm subsided, and the sky cleared. From the grave emerged two beautiful butterflies of magnificent colour, flying side by side in perfect harmony. The butterflies were said to be the spirits of Zhu Yingtai and Liang Shanbo, finally united in love and free to be together for eternity.
