Liang Shanbo & Zhu Yingtai
The Butterfly Lovers of China
Zhu Yingtai disguises herself as a man to study and falls in love with her classmate Liang Shanbo; when she is forced into another marriage and Liang dies of grief, she throws herself into his grave and the two are reborn as inseparable butterflies.
01Why it matters
It is China's most famous love legend, its "Romeo and Juliet," and the basis of the celebrated "Butterfly Lovers" Violin Concerto.
02The conflict
The disguise, class differences and the forced marriage.
03The iconic moment
The grave that opens and the two butterflies that fly out together.
04What survived
The "Butterfly Lovers" Violin Concerto (1959); opera and film.
05Frequently asked questions
Why is the story of Liang Shanbo & Zhu Yingtai famous?
It is China's most famous love legend, its "Romeo and Juliet," and the basis of the celebrated "Butterfly Lovers" Violin Concerto.
How does the story of Liang Shanbo & Zhu Yingtai end?
The grave that opens and the two butterflies that fly out together. The "Butterfly Lovers" Violin Concerto (1959); opera and film.
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