Butterfly lovers is a tragic love story between Zhu Yingtai and Liang Shanbo. The story first appeared around 700 CE and the metamorphosis part was added during the Ming Dynasty (1364-1644). In 2006, it was included in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage and had been adapted into various dramas, music and art forms.
Zhu was a beautiful and intelligent girl from a rich family in Shangyu. She loved studying, unfortunately girls were not allowed to go to school but she did not give up. After some persuasion Zhu’s father reluctantly agreed to let her study disguised as a male.
Zhu packed her things left for the school and on the way, she met Liang, a scholar who was also going to the school. They decided to travel together travelled and on the way their bond deepened. Liang and Zhu took an oath of fraternity and become ‘sworn brothers.’
For the next three years they studied together in the school and lived in the same room. During this period, Zhu fell in love with Liang but Liang never noticed Zhu’s real identity. Suddenly, Zhu received a letter written by her father, calling her back home. She gave several hints to let Liang notice her real identity but he still remained clueless.
Before parting she urged Liang to visit her home and she would play a matchmaker between ‘her sister’ and Liang.
Liang visited the home few months later and found out her real identity. Zhu and Liang confessed their love for each other but by that time Zhu’s father had arranged a marriage with Ma Wencai, a son of local officer.
Sadly, they had to part ways, Liang returned home and his health slowly deteriorated. Few days before wedding he died and Zhu was left heartbroken. On the day of marriage while passing the grave of Liang which fell on the way, strong winds prevented her from moving further. Zhu left the wedding to pay respect to Liang’s tomb.
Zhu cried bitterly in front of the tomb and begged for the tomb to open. All of a sudden, a thunder fell from the sky cracking the tomb open, Zhu threw herself in without hesitation and reunited with Liang. Their spirits at together. Two butterflies flew out and fly together like a pair of lovers.
The story talks about the power of love and fate. Zhu and Liang could never be together while they were alive but they reunited after their death. It also explores the theme of societal norm of limiting the girls from studying, Zhu had to disguise herself to get the opportunity to study, if she could have studied freely maybe the ending would have been different.
