Huang Yueying
| Huang Yueying | |
|---|---|
| Born | (Unknown) |
| Died | (Unknown) |
| Names | |
| Simplified Chinese | 黄月英 |
| Traditional Chinese | 黄月英 |
| Pinyin | Huáng Yuèyīng |
| Wade–Giles | Huang2 Yüeh4-ying1 |
Lady Huang (birth and death dates unknown), better known by her fictional name Huang Yueying, was the wife of Zhuge Liang, the chancellor and regent of the state of Shu Han in the Three Kingdoms period. Her personal name is not found in historical records. "Huang Yueying" is simply a name given to her in folktales, Chinese opera, and others works of fiction.
In historical records
The only mention of Lady Huang in historical sources was in the Xiangyang Ji (襄陽記; Records of Xiangyang). In the fifth century, the account was added as an annotation by Pei Songzhi to Zhuge Liang's biography in the historical text Records of the Three Kingdoms, which was written by Chen Shou two centuries earlier.
The account stated that Huang Chengyan approached Zhuge Liang and said, "I've an ugly daughter and I heard you're looking for a wife. She's red-haired and dark-skinned, but I think her talent matches yours." Zhuge Liang agreed to meet Huang's daughter and eventually married her.[1] Shortly after their meeting, a light hearted proverb was spread among the townsfolk: "Do not follow the manner in which Zhuge Liang chose his wife. He ended up with Huang Chengyan's ugly daughter."[2]
In folklore
A popular story tells that Huang Yueying challenged her suitors to visit her personally by claiming that she was ugly. In the event that a suitor would visit her, she would hide herself under veils as a quiet dare to test their resolve. When Zhuge Liang came to her, her figure was silhouetted by moonlight and her head was covered with two red veils. Unlike other men, Zhuge Liang entered her room alone and did not hesitate in removing her disguises. As he removed the first veil from her face, he calmly stated that her ugliness was a misunderstanding by her father. Zhuge Liang was then rewarded by Huang Yueying's joyful visage and gratification.[citation needed]
A memorial for her exists in her supposed hometown of Huangjiawan (黄家湾) in Yao'an Village (姚庵村) outside Xiangyang.[3]
Modern references
Huang Yueying is featured as a playable character in Koei's Dynasty Warriors and Warriors Orochi video game series. She is referred to as "Yue Ying" in the games up to Dynasty Warriors 7. Since Dynasty Warriors Next (on PS Vita) and Warriors Orochi 3, she is referred to as "Yueying" instead. She also appears in other games produced by Koei, such as Kessen II and all 11 instalments of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms strategy game series.
She also appears in various other video games, such as Hou Feng San Guo Online, Zong Heng San Guo Online, Meng Jiang Zhuan Online, and Qun Ying Fu Online.
She is portrayed by Gui Gui in the Taiwanese television drama K.O.3an Guo, which spoofs the historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms in a modern high school setting.
See also
References
- ↑ (襄陽記曰：黃承彥者，高爽開列，為沔南名士，謂諸葛孔明曰：「聞君擇婦；身有醜女，黃頭黑色，而才堪相配。」孔明許，即載送之。) Annotations from the Xiangyang Ji (襄陽記) to Chen Shou's Records of the Three Kingdoms, Volume 35, Biography of Zhuge Liang.
- ↑ (時人以為笑樂，鄉里為之諺曰：「莫作孔明擇婦，正得阿承醜女。」)) Annotations from the Xiangyang Ji (襄陽記) to Chen Shou's Records of the Three Kingdoms, Volume 35, Biography of Zhuge Liang.
- ↑ 王佳 (Wang Jia) (22 April 2009). "隆中风景区姚庵村:诸葛夫人故乡 [Translation: Yao'an Village, scenery in Longzhong District: The hometown of Mrs. Zhuge]" (in Chinese). 湖北日报 (Hubei Daily). Retrieved 10 May 2013.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||