侠行天下：全球武侠文化共生计划

XIAThe Protector
The central concept.
More than merely a "warrior," it refers to individuals who adhere to an internal moral code, uphold justice, and aid the distressed and succor the perilous. They are guardians of the community.
YIRighteousness
The highest code of conduct.
It signifies righteousness, loyalty, and commitment to a just cause, sometimes even taking precedence over the law or personal grievances.
WUMartial Arts
The means to realize "Xia" and "Yi."
However,the essence of martial arts lies not in violence, but in self-discipline, perseverance, and self-transcendence. True "Wu" is about "stopping the spear" (preventing conflict).
QINGEmotional Bonds
The humanistic dimension.
It refers to the profound emotional connections between characters, such as friendship, love, and master-disciple bonds, which drive their choices and growth.

From "using force to violate prohibitions" to "keeping one's word and ensuring one's actions bear fruit"
The Rise of Wandering Warriors · Historical Records

Iconic Figures/Works:Han Fei's "The Five Vermin", Sima Qian's "Records of the Grand Historian: Biographies of Wandering Knights"

Contribution to Cultural Development:
Established the realistic foundation and moral code for the concept of "Xia", elevating it from mere action to a cultural concept.
Classical Tales and Poetic Odes
Literati Creation · Romanticized Imagery

Iconic Figures/Works:Li Bai's "The Swordsman", Tang Dynasty Tales: "Nie Yinniang", "The Tale of the Curly-Bearded Guest"

Contribution to Cultural Development: Propelled the concept of "Xia" from historical records into literary imagination, enriching its artistic representation.
Vernacular Fiction and the Jianghu System
Urban Literature · Sect Rules

Iconic Figures/Works:Water Margin, Three Heroes and Five Gallants

Contribution to Cultural Development:Constructed a complex world of the "Jianghu" and martial arts codes, embedding Wuxia culture deeply into the public consciousness.
The Flourishing of Wuxia Fiction and Theoretical Foundation
Newspaper Serials · Internal and External Martial Arts

Iconic Figures/Works:Pingjiang Buxiaosheng's Legend of the Extraordinary Knights-Errant in the Martial World, Huanzhulouzhu's Legend of the Swordsmen of the Mountains of Shu

Contribution to Cultural Development:Established martial arts systems such as "internal" and "external" skills, laying a solid foundation for the New School Wuxia that followed.
"The Highest Form of 'Xia' is to Serve One's Country and People"
Philosophical Sublimation · Global Dissemination

Iconic Figures/Works: Works by Jin Yong, Liang Yusheng, Gu Long, and their related film and television adaptations

Contribution to Cultural Development:Elevated the chivalric spirit to the height of national and communal service, generating significant international influence through modern media.
Cross-disciplinary Integration and Youth Culture
Video Games · Film/Animation · Web Novels

Iconic Figures/Works:Games like Chinese Paladinand Swordsman Online, the film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, the animation Jian Xin: The Legend of Shen Jianxin

Contribution to Cultural Development:Transcended the literary sphere, integrating into global pop culture to become a cultural symbol representing Eastern aesthetics and values.

PRE-QIN TO
HAN DYNASTY

Origins and Definition
TANG-SONG
CHUANQI
Literarization and Romanticization
MING-QING
NOVELS
Popularization and Systematization
REPUBLICAN ERA
OLD SCHOOL WUXIA
A Connecting Link
MID-TO-LATE
20TH CENTURY
The Zenith of New School Wuxia
21ST CENTURY
TO PRESENT
Digitalization and Globalization

LITERATURE

As the foundational medium of Wuxia, literature evolved from classical tales like Records of the Grand Historian: Biographies of Wandering Knightsto the seminal works of Jin Yong, Gu Long, and Liang Yusheng. Their novels expanded the genre’s philosophical depth, weaving together historical events, martial arts codes, and humanistic values. The concept of Xiake(俠客, righteous wanderer) exemplifies the fusion of individual courage with collective justice, a theme resonating across cultures

FILM & TELEVISION

Cinematic adaptations have been pivotal in globalizing Wuxia culture. From the early wuxia films like The Burning of the Red Lotus Temple(1928) to Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon(2000), the visual language of Wuxia—stylized combat, lyrical landscapes, and moral dilemmas—has captivated international audiences. Television series, particularly adaptations of Jin Yong’s and Gu Long’s works, further embedded Wuxia into popular consciousness, blending episodic storytelling with themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and righteousness

GAMES

Interactive media like role-playing games (Xianjian Qixia Zhuan, Swordsman Online) and combat simulations have transformed Wuxia into an experiential art. Players navigate moral choices, combat systems, and open-world landscapes, embodying the journey from apprentice to hero. Games also integrate Wuxia aesthetics—such as Qinggong(light-body skill) and weapon-based combat—into global digital entertainment

DRAMA & THEATER

Traditional Chinese opera, especially Beijing and Kunqu styles, influenced Wuxia’s choreography and symbolism. The acrobatic movements, facial painting, and stylized combat in operas like The Legend of the White Snakeinformed the physical grammar of Wuxia performances. Contemporary stage adaptations, such as The New Inn(based on The Dragon Inn), merge martial arts with theatrical narrative, highlighting the genre’s adaptability

PRE-QIN TO HAN DYNASTY

TANG-SONGCHUANQI

MING-QINGNOVELS

REPUBLICAN ERAOLD SCHOOL WUXIA

MID-TO-LATE 20TH CENTURY

21ST CENTURYTO PRESENT

PRE-QIN TO
HAN DYNASTY

TANG-SONG
CHUANQI

MING-QING
NOVELS

REPUBLICAN ERA
OLD SCHOOL WUXIA

MID-TO-LATE
20TH CENTURY

21ST CENTURY
TO PRESENT