The Butterfly Lovers
The Romeo and Juliet of China
Zhu disguises herself as a man to study; Liang never realizes she is a woman; she is betrothed to another; he dies of heartbreak and she throws herself into his grave, from which they emerge as butterflies.
01Why it matters
One of China's Four Great Folktales. A statue of the lovers stands beside Juliet's tomb in Verona.
02The conflict
The disguise; Zhu's arranged marriage.
03The iconic moment
The grave that opens and releases two butterflies.
04What survived
The Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto.
05Frequently asked questions
Why is the story of The Butterfly Lovers famous?
One of China's Four Great Folktales. A statue of the lovers stands beside Juliet's tomb in Verona.
How does the story of The Butterfly Lovers end?
The grave that opens and releases two butterflies. The Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto.
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