Wuxia

Genre of Chinese fiction

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Part of a series on

Chinese martial arts (Wushu)

* Styles of Chinese martial arts

* * *

* List of Chinese martial arts

Terms

* Chin Na
* Fa jin
* Kung fu (term)
* Neigong
* Neijia
* Qi
* Qigong
* Shifu
* Yin and yang

Historical locations

* Kunlun Mountains
* Mount Emei
* Mount Hua
* Shaolin Monastery
* Wudang Mountains

Legendary figures

* Guan Yu
* Bodhidharma
* Zhang Sanfeng
* Fong Sai-yuk
* Yim Wing-chun
* Li Ching-Yuen
* Eight Immortals
* Five Elders

Historical individuals

* Emperor Taizu of Song
* Yue Fei
* Hung Hei-gun
* Dong Haichuan
* Yang Luchan
* Chan Heung
* Wu Quanyou
* Wong Fei-hung
* Sun Lutang
* Li Shuwen
* Huo Yuanjia
* Wang Zi-Ping
* Chen Fake
* Ip Man
* Ten Tigers of Canton

Modern celebrities

* Bruce Lee
* Bolo Yeung
* Sammo Hung
* Jackie Chan
* Jet Li
* Donnie Yen
* Vincent Zhao
* Zhang Jin (actor)
* Dennis To

Related

* Hong Kong action cinema
* Kung fu film
* Vietnamese martial arts
* Wushu (sport)
* Wuxia

* v
* t
* e

Wuxia

Traditional Chinese| 武俠
Simplified Chinese| 武侠
| Transcriptions

Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyin| wǔxiá
Bopomofo| ㄨˇ ㄒㄧㄚˊ
Wade–Giles| wu3-hsia2
IPA| [ù.ɕjǎ]
Yue: Cantonese
Yale Romanization| móuh-hahp
Jyutping| mou5-hap6
IPA| [mo̬u.hɐ̀p̚]
Southern Min
Hokkien POJ| bú-kiap
Tâi-lô| bú-kiap

Wuxia (武俠 [ù.ɕjǎ]), which literally means "martial heroes", is a genre of Chinese fiction concerning the adventures of martial artists in ancient China. Although wuxia is traditionally a form of fantasy literature, its popularity has caused it to be adapted for such diverse art forms as Chinese opera, manhua, television dramas, films, and video games. It forms part of popular culture in many Chinese-speaking communities around the world.

The word "wǔxiá" is a compound composed of the elements wǔ (武, literally "martial", "military", or "armed") and xiá (俠, literally "chivalrous", "vigilante" or "hero"). A martial artist who follows the code of xia is often referred to as a xiákè (俠客, literally "follower of xia") or yóuxiá (遊俠, literally "wandering xia"). In some translations, the martial artist is referred to as a "swordsman" or "swordswoman" even though they may not necessarily wield a sword.

The heroes in wuxia fiction typically do not serve a lord, wield military power, or belong to the aristocratic class. They often originate from the lower social classes of ancient Chinese society. A code of chivalry usually requires wuxia heroes to right and redress wrongs, fight for righteousness, remove oppressors, and bring retribution for past misdeeds. Chinese xia traditions can be compared to martial codes from other cultures, such as the Japanese samurai bushidō.

## Contents

* 1 History
* 1.1 Earlier precedents
* 1.2 20th century
* 2 Themes, plots and settings
* 2.1 Code of xia
* 2.2 Skills and abilities
* 3 Literature
* 4 Comics
* 5 Film and television
* 6 Video games
* 7 See also
* 8 References
* 9 Further reading
* 10 External links

## History[edit | edit source]

### Earlier precedents[edit | edit source]

Even though the term "wuxia" as the name of a genre is a recent coinage, stories about xia date back more than 2,000 years. Wuxia stories have their roots in some early youxia tales from 300–200 BCE. The Legalist philosopher Han Fei spoke disparagingly of youxias in his book Han Feizi in the chapter On Five 'Maggot' Classes about five social classes in the Spring and Autumn period.[1] Some well-known stories include Zhuan Zhu's assassination of King Liao of Wu, and most notably, Jing Ke's attempt on the life of the King of Qin (who later became Qin Shi Huang). In Volume 86 of the Records of the Grand Historian (Shi Ji), Sima Qian mentioned five notable assassins – Cao Mo, Zhuan Zhu, Yu Rang, Nie Zheng and Jing Ke – in the Warring States period who undertook tasks of conducting political assassinations of aristocrats and nobles.[2]: 17–19 [3] These assassins were known as cike (刺客; literally "stabbing guests"). They usually rendered their loyalties and services to feudal lords and nobles in return for rewards such as riches and women. In Volume 124 of the Shi Ji, Sima Qian detailed several embryonic features of xia culture from his period. These popular phenomena were also documented in other historical records such as the Book of Han and the Book of the Later Han.

Xiake stories made a turning point in the Tang dynasty (618–907) and returned in the form of chuanqi (傳奇; literally "legendary tales"). Stories from that era, such as Nie Yinniang (聶隱娘),[4] The Kunlun Slave, Thirteenth Madame Jing (荊十三娘),[5] Red String (紅線)[6] and The Bearded Warrior (虬髯客),[7] served as prototypes for modern wuxia stories.[8] They featured fantasies and isolated protagonists – usually loners – who performed daring heroic deeds. During the Song dynasty (960–1279), similar stories circulated in the huaben, short works that were once thought to have served as prompt-books for shuochang (traditional Chinese storytelling).[2]: 19–20 [9]: 47–48

The genre of the martial or military romance also developed during the Tang dynasty. In the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), Luo Guanzhong and Shi Nai'an wrote Romance of the Three Kingdoms and Water Margin respectively, which are among the Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. The former is a romanticised historical retelling of the events in the late Eastern Han dynasty and the Three Kingdoms period, while the latter criticises the deplorable socio-economic status of the late Northern Song dynasty. Water Margin is often seen as the first full-length wuxia novel: the portrayal of the 108 heroes, and their code of honour and willingness to become outlaws rather than serve a corrupt government, played an influential role in the development of jianghu culture in later centuries. Romance of the Three Kingdoms is also seen as a possible early antecedent and contains classic close-combat descriptions that were later emulated by wuxia writers in their works[2]: 20 [10]: 17, 263

In the Qing dynasty (1644-1911), further developments were the gong'an (公案; literally "public case") and related detective novels, where xia and other heroes, in collaboration with a judge or magistrate, solved crimes and battled injustice. The Justice Bao stories from Sanxia Wuyi (三俠五義; later extended and renamed to Qixia Wuyi) and Xiaowuyi (小五義), incorporated much of social justice themes of later wuxia stories. Xiayi stories of chivalrous romance, which frequently featured female heroes and supernatural fighting abilities, also surfaced during the Qing dynasty. Novels such as Shi Gong'an Qiwen (施公案奇聞) and Ernü Yingxiong Zhuan (兒女英雄傳) have been cited as the clearest nascent wuxia novels.[2]: 20–21 [10]: 19

The term "wuxia" as a genre label itself first appeared at the end of the Qing dynasty, a calque of the Japanese "bukyō", a genre of oft-militaristic and bushido-influenced adventure fiction. The term was brought to China by writers and students who hoped that China would modernise its military and place emphasis on martial virtues, and it quickly became entrenched as the term used to refer to xiayi and other predecessors of wuxia proper. In Japan, however, the term "bukyō" faded into obscurity.[2]: 2–3 [10]: 11, 262

Many wuxia works produced during the Ming and Qing dynasties were lost due to the governments' crackdown on and banning of such works.[11] Wuxia works were deemed responsible for brewing anti-government sentiments, which led to rebellions in those eras.[citation needed] The departure from mainstream literature also meant that patronage of this genre was limited to the masses and not to the literati, which led to the stifling of the development of the wuxia genre. Nonetheless, the wuxia genre remained enormously popular with the common people.[9]: 49–50

### 20th century[edit | edit source]

The modern wuxia genre rose to prominence in the early 20th century after the May Fourth Movement of 1919. A new literature evolved, calling for a break with Confucian values, and the xia emerged as a symbol of personal freedom, defiance to Confucian tradition, and rejection of the Chinese family system.[11]

Xiang Kairan (pen name Pingjiang Buxiaosheng) became the first notable wuxia writer, with his debut novel being The Peculiar Knights-Errant of the Jianghu (江湖奇俠傳).[12][13][ISBN missing] It was serialised from 1921–28 and was adapted into the first wuxia film, The Burning of the Red Lotus Temple (1928).[14] Zhao Huanting (趙煥亭), who wrote Chronicles of the Loyal Knights-Errant (奇俠精忠傳, serialised 1923–27), was another well-known wuxia writer based in Shanghai.[15] Starting from the 1930s, wuxia works proliferated and its centre shifted to Beijing and Tianjin in northern China. The most prolific writers there were collectively referred to as the Five Great Masters of the Northern School (北派五大家): Huanzhulouzhu, who wrote The Swordspeople from Shu Mountains (蜀山劍俠傳); Gong Baiyu (宮白羽), who wrote Twelve Coin Darts (十二金錢鏢); Wang Dulu, who wrote The Crane-Iron Pentalogy (鹤鉄五部作); Zheng Zhengyin (郑証因), who wrote The King of Eagle Claws (鹰爪王); Zhu Zhenmu (朱貞木), who wrote The Seven 'Kill' Stele (七殺碑).[16]

Wuxia fiction was banned at various times during the Republican era and these restrictions stifled the growth of the genre.[11] In spite of this, wuxia writing prevailed in other Chinese-speaking regions, such as Taiwan and Hong Kong. Between the 1960s and 1980s, the genre entered a golden age.[17][unacceptable source?] Writers such as Liang Yusheng and Louis Cha (Jin Yong) spearheaded the founding of a "new school" of the wuxia genre that differed largely from its predecessors. They wrote serials for newspapers and magazines. They also incorporated several fictional themes such as mystery and romance from other cultures. In Taiwan, Wolong Sheng, Sima Ling, Zhuge Qingyun (諸葛青雲), Shiao Yi (萧逸) and Gu Long became the region's best known wuxia writers. After them, writers such as Woon Swee Oan and Huang Yi rose to prominence in a later period. Chen Yu-hui is a contemporary female wuxia novelist who made her debut with the novel The Tian-Guan Duo Heroes (天觀雙俠).[18]

There have also been works created after the 1980s which attempt to create a post-wuxia genre. Yu Hua, one of the more notable writers from this period, published a counter-genre short story titled Blood and Plum Blossoms, in which the protagonist goes on a quest to avenge his murdered father.

## Themes, plots and settings[edit | edit source]

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File:Kunlun Nu print.jpg

A 17th-century woodblock print of a scene from a play on the Kunlun Nu story.

Modern wuxia stories are largely set in ancient or pre-modern China. The historical setting can range from being quite specific and important to the story, to being vaguely-defined, anachronistic, or mainly for use as a backdrop. Elements of fantasy, such as the use of magic powers and appearance of supernatural beings, are common in some wuxia stories but are not a prerequisite of the wuxia genre. However, the martial arts element is a definite part of a wuxia tale, as the characters must know some form of martial arts. Themes of romance are also strongly featured in some wuxia tales.

A typical wuxia story features a young male protagonist who experiences a tragedy – such as the loss of his loved ones – and goes on to undertake several trials and tribulations to learn several forms of martial arts from various fighters. At the end of the story, he emerges as a powerful fighter whom few can equal. He uses his abilities to follow the code of xia and mends the ills of the jianghu. For instance, the opening chapters of some of Jin Yong's works follow a certain pattern: a tragic event occurs, usually one that costs the lives of the newly introduced characters, and then it sets events into motion that will culminate in the primary action of the story.[19]

Other stories use different structures. For instance, the protagonist is denied admission into a martial arts sect. He experiences hardships and trains secretly and waits until there is an opportunity for him to show off his skills and surprise those who initially looked down on him. Some stories feature a mature hero with powerful martial arts abilities confronting an equally powerful antagonist as his nemesis. The plot will gradually meander to a final dramatic showdown between the protagonist and his nemesis. These types of stories were prevalent during the era of anti-Qing revolutionaries.[20]

Certain stories have unique plots, such as those by Gu Long and Huang Yi. Gu Long's works have an element of mystery and are written like detective stories. The protagonist, usually a formidable martial artist and intelligent problem-solver, embarks on a quest to solve a mystery such as a murder case. Huang Yi's stories are blended with science fiction.

Despite these genre-blending elements, wuxia is primarily a historical genre of fiction. Notwithstanding this, wuxia writers openly admit that they are unable to capture the entire history of a course of events and instead choose to structure their stories along the pattern of the protagonist's progression from childhood to adulthood instead.[citation needed] The progression may be symbolic rather than literal, as observed in Jin Yong's The Smiling, Proud Wanderer, where Linghu Chong progresses from childish concerns and dalliances into much more adult ones as his unwavering loyalty repeatedly thrusts him into the rocks of betrayal at the hands of his inhumane master.[19]

### Code of xia[edit | edit source]

The eight common attributes of the xia are listed as benevolence, justice, individualism, loyalty, courage, truthfulness, disregard for wealth, and desire for glory. Apart from individualism, these characteristics are similar to Confucian values such as ren (仁; "benevolence", "kindness"), zhong (忠; "loyalty"), yong (勇; "courage", "bravery") and yi (義; "righteousness").[11] The code of xia also emphasises the importance of repaying benefactors after having received deeds of en (恩; "grace", "favour") from others, as well as seeking chou (仇; "vengeance", "revenge") to bring villains to justice. However, the importance of vengeance is controversial, as a number of wuxia works stress Buddhist ideals, which include forgiveness, compassion and a prohibition on killing.

In the jianghu, martial artists are expected to be loyal to their master (Shifu). This gives rise to the formation of several complex trees of master-apprentice relations as well as the various sects such as Shaolin and Wudang. If there are any disputes between fighters, they will choose the honourable way of settling their issues through fighting in duels.[21]

### Skills and abilities[edit | edit source]

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The martial arts in wuxia stories are based on wushu techniques and other real life Chinese martial arts. In wuxia tales, however, the mastery of such skills are highly exaggerated to superhuman levels of achievement and prowess.

The following is a list of skills and abilities a typical fighter in a wuxia story possesses:

* Martial arts (武功): Fighting techniques in a codified sequence called zhaoshi (招式), which are based on real life Chinese martial arts.
* Weapons and objects: Combatants use a wide range of weapons in combat. The most commonly used ones are the dao (broadsword or saber), jian (sword), gun (staff), and qiang (spear). Everyday objects such as abaci, benches, fans, ink brushes, smoking pipes, sewing needles, or various musical instruments, are also used as weapons as well.
* Qinggong (轻功): A form of real Chinese martial arts.[22] In wuxia fiction, however, its use is exaggerated to the point that characters can circumvent gravity to fly, cover tremendous distances in a single stride, run across surfaces of water, mount trees, and jump over or scale high walls.
* Neili (内力; lit "internal force" or "internal strength")/Neigong (內功; literally "internal skill" or "internal function"): The ability to build up and cultivate inner energy known as qi and utilise it for attack and defensive purposes. Characters use this energy to attain skills such as superhuman strength, speed, stamina, durability and healing as well as the ability to project energy beams and elemental forces from their bodies.
* Dianxue (點穴; literally "touching acupuncture points"): Characters use various acupuncture techniques to kill, paralyse, immobilise or even manipulate opponents by attacking their acupressure points with their bare hands or weapons. Such techniques can also be used for healing purposes, such as halting excessive bleeding. Real life martial artists do use such techniques to paralyse or stun their opponents, however, their effectiveness is highly exaggerated in wuxia stories.

In wuxia stories, characters attain the above skills and abilities by devoting themselves to years of diligent study and exercise, but can also have such power conferred upon them by a master who transfers his energy to them. The instructions to mastering these skills through training are found in secret manuals known as miji (秘笈). In some stories, specific skills can be learned by spending several years in seclusion with a master or training with a group of fighters.

## Literature[edit | edit source]

Notable modern wuxia writers include:

Name | Pen name | Active years | Some works | Brief description

|
|
|
|

Louis Cha Leung-yung
Zha Liangyong
查良鏞 | Jin Yong
金庸 | 1955–72 | The Book and the Sword, Condor Trilogy, Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils, The Smiling, Proud Wanderer, The Deer and the Cauldron | The most popular, and regarded by some as the most accomplished, writer to date. His works have been adapted into films and television series numerous times.
Chen Wentong
陳文統 | Liang Yusheng
梁羽生 | 1954–83 | Qijian Xia Tianshan, Datang Youxia Zhuan, Baifa Monü Zhuan, Saiwai Qixia Zhuan, Yunhai Yugong Yuan, Xiagu Danxin | The pioneer of the "new school" wuxia genre. Some of his works were adapted into films and television series.
Xiong Yaohua
熊耀華 | Gu Long
古龍 | 1960–85 | Chu Liuxiang Series, Juedai Shuangjiao, Xiao Shiyi Lang, Xiaoli Feidao Series, Lu Xiaofeng Series | A writer who blends elements of mystery in his works. He writes in short paragraphs and is influenced stylistically by Western and Japanese writers. Some of his works were adapted into films and television series.
Woon Liang Geok
Wen Liangyu
溫涼玉 | Woon Swee Oan
Wen Rui'an
溫瑞安 | 1973–present | Si Da Ming Bu, Buyi Shenxiang, Jingyan Yi Qiang | His works were adapted into the television series The Four and Face to Fate, and the film The Four.
Huang Zuqiang
黃祖強 | Huang Yi
黃易 | 1987–2017 | Xunqin Ji, Fuyu Fanyun, Datang Shuanglong Zhuan | Combines wuxia with science fiction in his works. His works were adapted into the television series A Step into the Past, Lethal Weapons of Love and Passion and Twin of Brothers.
Lau Wai Ming
劉偉明 | Jozev Kiu
喬靖夫 | 1996–Present | Blood and Steel | Redefined Wuxia fiction from the traditional emphasis on the code of chivalry and Chinese culture.

## Comics[edit | edit source]

New and original wuxia writings have dwindled significantly in modern times,[citation needed] particularly so as patronage and readerships of the genre decimated due to readily available alternatives in entertainment such as DVDs, gaming consoles and so forth.[citation needed] The genre has proliferated in manhua (Chinese comics) in places like Hong Kong and Taiwan, with the core essentials of the wuxia genre living on in weekly editions equivalent to the Japanese manga.[citation needed]

Some notable comic artists are listed as follows:

Name | Pseudonym | Active years | Some works | Brief description

|
|
|
|

Ma Wing-shing
Ma Rongcheng
馬榮城 | Ma Wing-shing
Ma Rongcheng
馬榮成 | 1980s–present | Fung Wan, Chinese Hero, Black Leopard | Some of his works were adapted into films and television series such as The Storm Riders, Wind and Cloud, The Blood Sword, and A Man Called Hero.
Wong Jan-lung
Huang Zhenlong
黃振隆 | Wong Yuk-long
Huang Yulang
黃玉郎 | 1980s–present | Oriental Heroes, Weapons of the Gods, Legend of Emperors, Buddha's Palm | Some of his works were adapted into films and television series like Dragon Tiger Gate, Kung Fu VS Acrobatic, and The Buddhism Palm Strikes Back.
Khoo Fuk-lung
Qiu Fulong
邱福龍 |  | 1990s–present | Saint, Solar Lord |

## Film and television[edit | edit source]

See also: Category: Wuxia films, Category: Wuxia television series, and Category: Fantasy genres

The earliest wuxia films date back to the 1920s. Extant early wuxia films produced in China include Red Heroine (1929),[23] Woman Warrior White Rose (1929),[24] and Woman Warrior of the Wild River 6: Rumble at Deerhorn Gully (1930),[25] the sixth film in a series. Hua Mu Lan (1939), another surviving film,[26] is considered a representative of the second wave of wuxia films, during the Anti-Japanese War.[27] Films directed by King Hu and produced by the Shaw Brothers Studio featured sophisticated action choreography using wire and trampoline assisted acrobatics combined with sped-up camera techniques.[28] The storylines in the early films were loosely adapted from existing literature.[29][30][31]

Cheng Pei-pei, Jimmy Wang and Connie Chan are among the better known wuxia movie stars in the 1960s–70s, when films made by King Hu and the Shaw Brothers Studio were most prominent. More recent wuxia movie actors and actresses include Jet Li, Brigitte Lin, Michelle Yeoh, Donnie Yen, Tony Leung and Zhang Ziyi. Yuen Woo-ping is a choreographer who achieved fame by crafting action-sequences in wuxia films.

Wuxia was introduced to Hollywood studios in 2000 by Ang Lee's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, though influence of the genre was previously seen in the United States in the 1970s television series Kung Fu. Following in Lee's footsteps, Zhang Yimou made Hero, targeted for the international market in 2002, House of Flying Daggers in 2004, Curse of the Golden Flower in 2006 and Shadow in 2018. Western audiences were also introduced to wuxia through Asian television stations in larger cities, which featured miniseries such as Warriors of the Yang Clan and Paradise, often with English subtitles.

A modern film that refers to the underworld interpretation of jianghu, is Ash Is Purest White (Chinese: 江湖儿女; 'Sons and Daughters of Jianghu'), a 2018 Chinese drama directed by Jia Zhangke. It was selected to compete for the Palme d'Or at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival. The story is loosely based on the leader of a gang from Jia Zhangke's childhood, whom he had admired as a role model. Like the rest of Jia's films, it opened to widespread acclaim.

Western attempts at the genre have been limited, such as the 2008 film The Forbidden Kingdom, which starred Jackie Chan, Jet Li and Michael Angarano; other movies including wuxia elements are the first three in The Matrix film series (1999-2003, the fourth one from 2021 was choreographed by Joshua Grothe[32]) and the Kill Bill films from 2003-2004, all of which were choregraphed by Yuen Woo-Ping. However, a major exception is DreamWorks Animation's media franchise Kung Fu Panda. Created as an earnest, if humorous, emulation by producers who were knowledgeable admirers of the genre, the series has been particularly hailed in China as an excellent contribution to the form.[33][34] More recently, 1990s–2000s Hong Kong stars Daniel Wu and Stephen Fung have worked with AMC Networks to bring wuxia to a US television audience with Into the Badlands, which premiered in 2015 and ran for three seasons.[35][36]

## Video games[edit | edit source]

Some notable wuxia video games of the action RPG genre include The Legend of Sword and Fairy, Xuan-Yuan Sword, Jade Empire, and Kingdom of Paradise, all of which blend wuxia with elements of Chinese mythology and fantasy. The Legend of Sword and Fairy, in particular, expanded into a franchise of eight video games, two of which were adapted into the television series Chinese Paladin (2005) and Chinese Paladin 3 (2009). There are also MMORPGs, such as Heroes of Kung Fu[37] and Age of Wulin,[38] and hack and slash games, such as Bujingai[citation needed] and Heavenly Sword.[39]

Games adapted from the works of wuxia writers include Heroes of Jin Yong, an RPG based on characters in Jin Yong's novels; Dragon Oath, an MMORPG inspired by Jin Yong's Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils; and Martial Kingdoms, a strategy game featuring several martial arts sects which commonly appear in wuxia fiction.

## See also[edit | edit source]

* List of organisations in wuxia fiction
* Martial arts film
* Sword and sorcery – a similar western fantasy genre
* Xianxia – a subgenre of wuxia novel
* Zhou Tong (archer)
* Guzhuang – ancient Chinese-style costume, typically used in Xianxia and Wuxia

## References[edit | edit source]

1. ^ Han, Fei. "五蠹第四十九 [Chapter 49: Five 'Maggots']". 韓非子 [Han Feizi] (in Chinese) ([Reproduced on Chinese Wikisource] ed.). Retrieved 25 December 2014. "... 俠以武犯禁，而人主兼禮之，此所以亂也。夫離法者罪，而諸先生以文學取；犯禁者誅，而羣俠以私劍養。"
2. ^ a b c d e Teo, Stephen (2009). Chinese Martial Arts Cinema: The Wuxia Tradition. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press. ISBN 9780748632862.
3. ^ Sima, Qian. "卷八十六 刺客列傳 第二十六 [Volume 86: Biographies of Assassins]". Shi Ji [Records of the Grand Historian] (in Chinese) ([Reproduced on Chinese Wikisource] ed.). Retrieved 25 December 2014.
4. ^ "唐人傳奇 – 聶隱娘 [Tang Dynasty Legends – Nie Yinniang]". 中華武俠文化網 [Chinese Wusia [sic] Knight-errant] (in Chinese). Overseas Chinese Affairs Commission Taiwan, Republic of China. Retrieved 25 December 2014.
5. ^ Sun, Guangxian. "卷八 [Chapter 8]". 北夢瑣言 [Beimeng Suoyan] (in Chinese) ([Reproduced on Chinese Wikisource] ed.). Retrieved 25 December 2014. "進士趙中行家於溫州，以豪俠為事。至蘇州，旅止支山禪院。僧戶有一女商荊十三娘， ... 至期，荊氏以囊盛妓兼致妓之父母首歸於李。後與趙進士同入浙中，不知所止。"
6. ^ Yuan, Jiao. 甘澤謠 [Gan Ze Yao] (in Chinese) ([Reproduced on Chinese Wikisource] ed.). Retrieved 25 December 2014. "紅線，潞州節度使薛嵩家青衣，善彈阮鹹，又通經史，嵩遣掌箋，表號曰「內記室」。 ... 歌畢，嵩不勝悲，紅線拜且泣，因偽醉離席，遂亡其所在。"
7. ^ Du, Guangting. 虯髯客傳 [Qiu Ran Ke Zhuan] (in Chinese) ([Reproduced on Chinese Wikisource] ed.).
8. ^ Liang, Yusheng (February 2008). 筆花六照 [Bi Hua Liu Zhao] (in Chinese) (revised ed.). China: Guangxi Normal University Press. "唐代著名的武俠小說有《紅線傳》、《虯髯客傳》、《劉無雙傳》、《崑崙奴傳》、《聶隱娘傳》，等等（空空兒、精精兒則是附在《聶隱娘傳》中）。"
9. ^ a b Liu, Damu; Lau, Shing-hon; Leong, Mo-Ling (1996). A Study of the Hong Kong Swordplay Film (1945–1980). Hong Kong: Urban Council of Hong Kong. ISBN 9627040517.
10. ^ a b c Hamm, John Christopher (2006). Paper Swordsmen: Jin Yong and the Modern Chinese Martial Arts Novel (Paperback ed.). Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press. ISBN 082482895X.
11. ^ a b c d "An Introduction to the Wuxia Genre". Heroic-cinema.com. Retrieved 28 December 2013.
12. ^ Doleželová-Velingerová, Milena (1988). Selective Guide to Chinese Literature 1900–1949: The Novel. Leiden: E.J. Brill. pp. 176–177. ISBN 9004078800.
13. ^ Liu, James J. Y. (1976). The Chinese Knight Errant. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul. pp. 135–136.
14. ^ Xu, Yaping (9 November 2011). "平江不肖生的传奇生涯(二) [The Life of Pingjiang Buxiaosheng (Part 2)]". 中国国学网 [confucianism.com.cn] (in Chinese). China: Hunan Daily. Retrieved 25 December 2014.
15. ^ "北趙: 趙煥亭 [Zhao of the North: Zhao Huanting]". 中華武俠文化網 [Chinese Wusia [sic] Knight-errant] (in Chinese). Overseas Chinese Affairs Commission Taiwan, Republic of China. Retrieved 25 December 2014.
16. ^ "民初舊派武俠作家 ['Old School' Wuxia Writers of the Early Republican Era]". 中華武俠文化網 [Chinese Wusia [sic] Knight-errant] (in Chinese). Overseas Chinese Affairs Commission Taiwan, Republic of China. Retrieved 25 December 2014.
17. ^ Stevens, Abi (2012). "Short guide to wuxia film". Mapping Contemporary Cinema. Queen Mary University of London. Archived from the original on 18 November 2021. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
18. ^ Li, Junjie (29 August 2007). "台湾"女金庸"坐月子写巨著 [Taiwan's "Female Jin Yong" wrote her masterpiece in her post-pregnancy period]". 世界新闻报 [World News Journal] (in Chinese). Retrieved 25 December 2014.
19. ^ a b McNeil, Simon. "The Anatomy of a Wuxia Novel". Kung Fu Magazine. Retrieved 25 December 2014.
20. ^ "China - Reformist and revolutionist movements at the end of the dynasty". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
21. ^ Chung, Barry C. (11 July 2022). "A matter of style". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
22. ^ Elizabeth Reninger. "Qing Gong". About.com. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
23. ^ "Red Heroine 紅俠 (1929)". Chinese Film Classics. 24 February 1929. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
24. ^ "Woman Warrior White Rose 女俠白玫瑰 (1929)". Chinese Film Classics. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
25. ^ "Woman Warrior of the Wild River 6 荒江女俠 第六集 (1930)". Chinese Film Classics. 13 July 1930. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
26. ^ "Hua Mu Lan 木蘭從軍 (1939)". Chinese Film Classics. 17 February 1939. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
27. ^ Rea, Christopher G.; Professor, UBC (June 2021). "9". Chinese Film Classics 1922-1949. Columbia University Press. ISBN 9780231188135. Retrieved 24 February 2022. "Contents" Chapter 9
28. ^ Walters, Mark (15 August 2007). Hong Kong New Wave Wuxia Pian Films and their Contribution to Hong Kong's National Agency During the 1980s and Early 1990s (Thesis thesis). Auburn University.
29. ^ Zhouxiang, Lu; Zhang, Qi; Hong, Fan (11 February 2014). "Projecting the 'Chineseness': Nationalism, Identity and Chinese Martial Arts Films" (PDF). The International Journal of the History of Sport. 31 (3): 320–335. doi:10.1080/09523367.2013.866093. ISSN 0952-3367. S2CID 154825458.
30. ^ Kolstee, Hugo (31 August 2018). Righting Wrongs: A Study of Certain Socio-Legal Phenomena in Wuxia Films (Master thesis). Leiden University-East Asian Studies. hdl:1887/64383.
31. ^ Lee, Jing-Lan (7 November 2008). "Wuxia Film: A Qualitative Perspective of Chinese Legal Consciousness". University of Washington ResearchWorks. hdl:1773/4589. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
32. ^ "Joshua Grothe". IMDb. 2022. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
33. ^ Barboza, David (30 June 2008). "Kung Fu Panda is a success at the box office in China". International Herald Tribune. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
34. ^ Lee, Min (3 July 2008). "Kung Fu Panda reaches Chinese box office milestone". USA Today. Retrieved 28 December 2013.
35. ^ Yang, Jeff (23 November 2015). "Into the Badlands' Daniel Wu Is the Asian American Action Hero That Bruce Lee Should've Been". Slate. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
36. ^ Tierney, Sean (18 May 2017). "Into the Badlands – Interview with Daniel Wu". JetLi.com. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
37. ^ "Heroes of Kung Fu, Free Browser Game, Online Game, RPG Game, Flash Game". Archived from the original on 15 January 2011. Retrieved 14 November 2016.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
38. ^ "Age of Wulin – Legend of the Nine Scrolls is set in medieval China and based on the lore surrounding martial arts". Wulin.gpotato.eu. Retrieved 28 December 2013.
39. ^ Purchese, Robert (19 November 2009). "Eurogamer Enslaved Interview". Eurogamer. Retrieved 15 March 2015.

## Further reading[edit | edit source]

* Jenner, WJF. "Tough Guys, Mateship and Honour: Another Chinese Tradition". East Asian History 12 (1996): 1–34.
* Liu, Petrus. Stateless Subjects: Chinese Martial Arts Fiction and Postcolonial History. Ithaca: Cornell University East Asia Series. (ISBN 978-1933947624)
* McCloud, Aaron Matthew Gordon (2010). Papercuts: The Literary and the Martial in the Genre of Wuxia Fiction. Thesis (B.A.). Reed College. OCLC 643126927.
* 汪涌豪 《中国游侠史》 上海：上海文化出版社，1994 [Wang, Yonghao (1994): "History of Chinese Knight-errantry". Shanghai: Shanghai Wenhua Chubanshe]. OCLC 726816835. (in Chinese)

## External links[edit | edit source]

* Early silent wuxia film with English subtitles: Woman Warrior White Rose (1929)
* Early silent wuxia film with English subtitles: Red Heroine (1929)
* Early silent wuxia film with English subtitles: Woman Warrior of the Wild River 6: Rumble at Deerhorn Gully (1930)
* Early musical wuxia film with English subtitles: Hua Mu Lan (1939)
* "HK Martial Arts Cinema" by David Bordwell—An article about wuxia films
* Wuxia, sztylety i wielka miłość. O filmie "Dom Latających Sztyletów" (in Polish)
* Information on the wuxia genre from a website about actress Zhang Ziyi

* v
* t
* e

Martial arts

* List of styles
* History
* Timeline
* Hard and soft

Classification

| Regional origin|

* China
* Europe
* India
* Indonesia
* Italian
* Ireland
* Japan
* Okinawa
* Korea
* Mainland Southeast Asia
* Philippines
* Russia
* Vietnam

|

Unarmed
techniques|

* Chokehold
* Clinch
* Footwork
* Elbow strike
* Headbutt
* Hold
* Kick
* Knee strike
* Joint lock
* Punch
* Sweep
* Takedown
* Throw

Weapons|

* Duel
* Melee weapons
* Knife fighting
* Stick-fighting
* Swordsmanship
* Ranged weapons
* Archery
* Shooting

Training|

* Kata
* Boxing glove
* Practice weapon
* Punching bag
* Pushing hands
* Randori
* Sparring

Grappling|

* Barróg
* Brazilian jiu-jitsu
* Judo
* Jujutsu
* Luta Livre esportiva
* Malla-yuddha
* Pehlwani
* Sambo
* Shuai jiao
* Sumo
* Wrestling
* catch
* Cornish
* folk
* freestyle
* Greco-Roman
* Mongolian
* oil
* shoot

Striking|

* Bando
* Boxing
* Capoeira
* Chess boxing
* Choi Kwang-Do
* Dambe
* Karate
* Kickboxing
* Lethwei
* Muay Thai
* Northern Praying Mantis
* Pradal serey
* Russian boxing
* Sanda
* Shaolin Kung Fu
* Snake Kung Fu
* Shoot boxing
* Savate
* Taekwondo
* Tang Soo Do
* Tien Shan Pai
* Vovinam
* Wudang quan
* Yoshukai Karate

Internal|

* Aikido
* Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu
* Baguazhang
* Tai chi
* Xing Yi Quan

Full contact /
combat sports|

* Professional boxing
* Kickboxing
* Full contact karate
* Mixed martial arts
* Pankration
* Shootfighting
* Submission wrestling
* Vale Tudo

Self-defense /
combatives|

* Arnis
* Bartitsu
* Hapkido
* Kajukenbo
* Jieitaikakutōjutsu
* Krav Maga
* MCMAP
* Pencak silat
* Silat Harimau
* Suffrajitsu
* Systema
* Taekkyeon
* To-Shin Do
* Wing Chun
* Silat Melayu

Eclectic / hybrids|

* American Kenpo
* Angampora
* Chun Kuk Do
* Hokutoryu Ju-Jutsu
* Jeet Kune Do
* Shooto
* Shorinji Kempo
* Unifight
* Qwan Ki Do

Battlefield|

* Banshay
* Bokator
* Historical European martial arts
* Huyen langlon
* Jujutsu
* Kalaripayattu
* Krabi–krabong
* Krav Maga
* Mardani khel
* Marine Corps Martial Arts Program
* Silat Harimau

Entertainment|

* Fighting game
* Martial arts film (Chanbara)
* Professional wrestling
* Stage combat
* Wuxia

International Games

| Martial arts at the
Summer Olympics|

* Boxing
* Fencing
* Judo
* Karate
* Taekwondo
* Wrestling (freestyle, Greco-Roman)
* Demonstration sports
* Budō
* Pistol dueling
* Glima
* Savate

|

Martial arts at the
World Games|

* Ju-jitsu
* Karate
* Kickboxing
* Muay Thai
* Sumo
* Former official sports
* Sambo
* Taekwondo
* Invitational sports
* Aikido
* Wushu

Martial arts at the
Pan American Games|

* Boxing
* Fencing
* Judo
* Karate
* Taekwondo
* Wrestling

Martial arts at the
Asian Games|

* Boxing
* Judo
* Jujutsu
* Karate
* Taekwondo
* Wrestling
* Wushu
* 2018 Only
* Pencak silat
* Sambo

Martial arts at the
African Games|

* Boxing
* Fencing
* Judo
* Karate
* Taekwondo
* Wrestling

* Portal
* Outline

* v
* t
* e

Stock characters

* List
* Archetype

By ethics and morality

| Heroes|

| Classic hero|

* Action hero
* Christ figure
* Everyman
* Folk hero
* Knight-errant
* Legacy hero
* Mythological king
* Paladin
* Superhero
* Youngest son

|

Antihero|

* Byronic hero
* Man alone
* Tragic hero

Other|

* Cyberhero
* Supersoldier

Rogues|

| Lovable rogue|

* Gentleman detective
* Jack
* Trickster

|

Tricky slave|

* Zanni (servants, clowns: Harlequin, Brighella, Scapino, Pulcinella and Pierrot)

Outlaw|

* Bad boy
* Gentleman thief
* Pirate
* Air pirate
* Space pirate

Other|

* Good cop/bad cop
* Rake

Villains|

| Antivillains|

* False hero

|

The mole|

* Double agent
* Evil twin

Social Darwinist|

* Dark lord
* Mad scientist
* Supervillain

Monsters|

* Bug-eyed monster
* Evil clown
* Killer toy
* Monster girl
* Skeleton
* Swamp monster
* Vampires
* Zombies

Other|

* Alazon
* Archenemy
* Folk devil
* Igor
* Masked Mystery Villain
* Miser
* Vecchio (wealthy old men, Pantalone and Il Dottore)
* Il Capitano (self styled captain, braggart)

By sex and gender

| Feminine|

| Love interest|

* Bishōjo
* Farmer's daughter
* Girl next door
* Hooker with a heart of gold
* Ingénue
* Loosu ponnu
* Magical girlfriend
* Catgirl
* Monster girl
* Manic Pixie Dream Girl

|

Hag|

* Cat lady
* Crone
* Fairy godmother
* La Ruffiana
* Loathly lady

Hawksian woman|

* Dragon Lady
* Femme fatale
* Tsundere

Woman warrior|

* Jungle girl
* Magical girl

Queen bee|

* Princesse lointaine
* Southern belle
* Valley girl
* Yamato nadeshiko

LGBT|

* Class S
* Laotong

Lady-in-waiting|

* Columbina
* Mammy stereotype

Geek girl|

* Gamer girl

Damsel in distress|

* Final girl
* Princess and dragon

Masculine|

| Harlequin|

* Pierrot

|

Father figure|

* Wise old man
* Elderly martial arts master

Young|

* American mappillai
* Himbo
* Ivan the Fool
* Jack
* Jock
* Little Johnny
* Nice guy
* Nice Jewish boy
* Superfluous man

Prince Charming|

* Bishōnen
* Knight-errant

Primitive|

* Feral child
* Noble savage
* Caveman
* Moleman
* Mountain man

LGBT|

* Seme and uke
* Otokonoko

Bad boy|

* Pachuco
* Black knight

Others

* Adolescent cliques
* Barbarian
* Clown
* Dragonslayer
* Donor
* Fool
* Imaginary friend
* Innamorati ("The Lovers")
* Little green men
* Magical Negro
* Pop icon
* Redshirt
* Shoulder angel
* Sidekick
* Straight man
* Tokenism
* Town drunk
* Tragic mulatto
* Truck-kun
* Village idiot
* White savior

* v
* t
* e

Film genres

By style|

* Action
* Arthouse
* Heroic bloodshed
* Hong Kong action
* Adventure
* Survival
* Art
* Biographical
* Christian
* Comedy
* Black
* Commedia all'italiana
* Sexy
* Bromantic
* Dramedy
* Gross out
* Horror
* Parody
* Mo lei tau
* Thriller
* Remarriage
* Romantic
* Sex
* Screwball
* Silent
* Slapstick
* Cyberpunk
* Japanese
* Documentary
* Animated
* Docudrama
* Mockumentary
* Mondo
* Pseudo
* Semi
* Travel
* Drama
* Calligrafismo
* Dramedy
* Historical
* Legal
* Melodrama
* Korean
* Erotic
* Commedia sexy all'italiana
* Pink
* Sexploitation
* Thriller
* Educational
* Social guidance
* Epic
* Sword-and-sandal
* Experimental
* Exploitation
* see Exploitation film template
* Fantasy
* Comedy
* Contemporary
* Fairy tale
* Fantastique
* High
* Historical
* Magic realism
* Science
* Film noir
* Neo-noir
* Pulp noir
* Tech noir
* Gothic
* Romance
* Southern
* Space
* Suburban
* Urban
* Horror
* Arthouse
* Body
* Cannibal
* Chinese horror
* Comedy
* Eco
* Fantastique
* Found footage
* German underground
* Ghost
* Giallo
* Holiday
* Japanese horror
* Korean horror
* Lovecraftian
* Mumblegore
* Natural
* New French Extremity
* Psycho-biddy
* Psychological
* Religious
* Science fiction
* Slasher
* Splatter
* Satanic
* Maximalist film
* Minimalist film
* Mumblecore
* Mumblegore
* Musical
* Arthouse
* Backstage
* Jukebox
* Musicarello
* Operetta
* Sceneggiata
* Mystery
* Detective
* Occult detective
* Whodunit
* Giallo
* Pop culture fiction
* Pornographic
* Hardcore pornography
* Softcore pornography
* Propaganda
* Reality
* Romantic
* Comedy
* Bromantic
* Fantasy
* Gothic
* Paranormal
* Thriller
* Science fiction
* Art
* Comedy
* Fantastique
* Fantasy
* Gothic
* Horror
* Military
* New Wave
* Parallel universe
* Planetary romance
* Space opera
* Steampunk
* Tokusatsu
* Western
* Slice of life
* Slow cinema
* Thriller
* Comedy
* Conspiracy
* Erotic
* Financial
* Giallo
* Legal
* New French Extremity
* Political
* Psychological
* Romantic
* Techno
* Transgressive
* Cinema of Transgression
* Extreme cinema
* New French Extremity
* Trick

By theme|

* Animals
* Beach party
* Body swap
* Buddy
* Buddy cop
* Female
* Cannibal
* Chicano
* Colonial
* Coming-of-age
* Concert
* Crime
* Detective
* Gangster
* Gentleman thief
* Gokudō
* Gong'an
* Heist
* Heroic bloodshed
* Hood
* Mafia
* Mafia comedy
* Mumbai underworld
* Poliziotteschi
* Yakuza
* Dance
* Disaster
* Apocalyptic
* Drug
* Psychedelic
* Stoner
* Dystopian
* Ecchi
* Economic
* Ethnographic
* Exploitation
* Blaxploitation
* Mexploitation
* Turksploitation
* Extraterrestrial
* Food and drink
* Gendai-geki
* Ghost
* Goona-goona epic
* Gothic
* Romance
* Southern
* Space
* Suburban
* Urban
* Girls with guns
* Harem
* Hentai
* Lolicon
* Shotacon
* Tentacle erotica
* Homeland
* Isekai
* Jidaigeki
* Samurai
* Kaitō
* LGBT
* Yaoi
* Yuri
* Luchador
* Magical girl
* Martial arts
* Bruceploitation
* Chopsocky
* Gun fu
* Kung fu
* Ninja
* Wuxia
* Mecha
* Anime
* Monster
* Giant monster
* Jiangshi
* Kaiju
* Mummy
* Vampire
* Werewolf
* Zombie
* Zombie comedy
* Mountain
* Mouth of Garbage
* Muslim social
* Nature
* Environmental issues
* Opera
* Outlaw biker
* Ozploitation
* Partisan film
* Pirate
* Prison
* Women
* Race
* Rape and revenge
* Road
* Rubble
* Rumberas
* Sexploitation
* Bavarian porn
* Commedia sexy all'italiana
* Mexican sex comedy
* Nazi exploitation
* Pornochanchada
* Nunsploitation
* Sex report
* Shomin-geki
* Slavery
* Slice of life
* Snuff
* South Seas
* Sports
* Spy
* Eurospy
* Superhero
* Surfing
* Swashbuckler
* Sword-and-sandal
* Sword and sorcery
* Travel
* Trial
* Vigilante
* War
* Anti-war
* Euro War
* Submarine
* Western
* Acid
* Fantasy
* Florida
* Horror
* Meat pie
* Northern
* Ostern
* Revisionist
* Science fiction
* Space
* Spaghetti

By movement
or period|

* Absolute
* American Eccentric Cinema
* New Objectivity
* Australian New Wave
* Auteur films
* Berlin School
* Bourekas
* Brighton School
* British New Wave
* Kitchen sink realism
* Budapest school
* Calligrafismo
* Cannibal boom
* Cinéma du look
* Cinema Novo
* Cinema of Transgression
* Cinéma pur
* Commedia all'italiana
* Czechoslovak New Wave
* Documentary Film Movement
* Dogme 95
* Erra Cinema
* European art cinema
* Film gris
* Free Cinema
* French New Wave
* German Expressionist
* German underground horror
* Nigerian Golden Age
* Grupo Cine Liberación
* Heimatfilm
* Hollywood on the Tiber
* Hong Kong New Wave
* Iranian New Wave
* Italian futurist
* Italian neorealist
* Japanese New Wave
* Kammerspielfilm
* L.A. Rebellion
* Lettrist
* Modernist film
* Mumblecore
* Neorealist
* New French Extremity
* New German
* New Generation
* New Hollywood
* New Nollywood
* New Queer
* No wave
* Nuevo Cine Mexicano
* Pan-Indian film
* Parallel cinema
* Persian Film
* Poetic realist
* Polish Film School
* Poliziotteschi
* Praška filmska škola
* Prussian film
* Pure Film Movement
* Remodernist
* Romanian New Wave
* Slow cinema
* Spaghetti Western
* Socialist realist
* Social realist
* Kitchen sink realism
* Soviet Parallel
* Structural
* Surrealist
* Sword-and-sandal
* Telefoni Bianchi
* Third Cinema
* Toronto New Wave
* Vulgar auteurism
* Yugoslav Black Wave

By demographic|

* Adult
* Black
* Children and family
* Anime
* Men
* Seinen
* Stag
* Teen
* Shōnen
* Shōjo
* Women
* Chick flick
* Josei

By format,
technique,
approach,
or production|

* 3D
* Actuality
* Animation
* Anime
* Art
* Cartoon
* Computer
* Stop-motion
* Traditional
* Anthology
* Art
* B movie
* Behind-the-scenes
* Black-and-white
* Blockbuster
* Cinéma vérité
* Classical Hollywood cinema
* Collage
* Color
* Compilation
* Composite
* Computer screen
* Cult
* midnight movie
* Database cinema
* Docufiction
* Ethnofiction
* Experimental
* Abstract
* Feature
* Featurette
* Film à clef
* Film-poem
* Found footage
* Grindhouse
* Hyperlink cinema
* Independent
* Guerrilla filmmaking
* Interstitial art
* Live action
* animation
* Low-budget
* Major studio
* Masala
* Maximalist film
* Message picture
* Meta-film
* Minimalist film
* Mockbuster
* Modernist film
* Musical short
* Mythopoeia
* Neorealist
* No-budget
* One-shot
* Paracinema
* Participatory
* Poetry
* Postmodernist
* Reverse motion
* Satire
* Sceneggiata
* Semidocumentary
* Serial
* Shinpa
* Short
* Silent
* Slow cinema
* Socialist realist
* Sound
* Underground
* Video nasty
* Vulgar auteurism
* Z movie

* v
* t
* e

Fantasy fiction

* History
* Literature
* Magic
* Sources

Subgenres|

* Action-adventure
* Heroic
* Lost world
* Sword-and-sandal
* Sword and sorcery
* Wuxia‎
* Alternate history
* Children's fantasy
* Comedy
* Bangsian
* Contemporary
* Occult detective fiction‎
* Paranormal romance
* Urban fantasy
* Dark fantasy
* Dark romanticism
* Faustian
* Grimdark
* Splatterpunk
* Fairy tale
* Fairy tale parodies‎
* Fairytale fantasy‎
* Fantastique
* Fantasy of manners
* Ghost stories‎
* Gothic fiction
* American
* Southern
* Southern Ontario
* Suburban
* Tasmanian
* Tech noir
* Urban
* Gritty fantasy
* Hard fantasy
* High fantasy
* Historical fantasy
* Isekai
* LitRPG
* Low fantasy
* Magical girl
* Magic realism
* Mythic
* Mythopoeia‎
* Mythpunk
* "Retro"
* Dieselpunk
* Gaslamp fantasy
* Steampunk
* Romantic
* Science fantasy‎
* Dying Earth
* Planetary romance
* Superhero
* Sword and planet
* Shenmo
* Tokusatsu‎
* Weird fiction
* New weird
* Weird menace
* Weird West
* West‎ern fantasy

Media|

| Film and television|

* Anime
* Films
* highest-grossing
* S&S
* Television programs

|

Literature|

* Authors
* Ballantine Adult Fantasy series
* Comics
* list
* The Encyclopedia of Fantasy
* Fantasy Masterworks
* Internet Speculative Fiction Database
* List of novels
* A–H
* I–R
* S–Z
* List of story collections
* Newcastle Forgotten Fantasy Library
* Publishers

Magazines|

* Fantastic
* Fantastic Adventures
* Locus
* The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction
* Science Fantasy
* Unknown
* Weird Tales

* Féeries
* Podcasts

Fandom|

* Art
* Fanspeak
* Filk music
* Harry Potter fandom
* The Inklings
* Mythopoeic Society
* Religion
* Tolkien fandom
* Works inspired by J. R. R. Tolkien
* World Fantasy Convention

| Awards|

* Balrog
* British Fantasy
* Crawford
* Dragon
* Gandalf
* Gemmell
* Hugo
* International Fantasy
* Japan Fantasy
* Locus
* Méliès d'Or
* Mythopoeic
* Nebula
* Saturn
* Tähtifantasia
* World Fantasy

|

Tropes|

| Creatures|

* Angels
* Demons
* Devils
* Ghouls
* Elementals
* Faeries
* Familiars
* Fire-breathing monsters
* Chimera
* Dragons
* Gargoyle
* Imps
* Jinn
* Kaiju
* Megafauna
* Nymphs
* Skin-walkers
* Spirits
* Therianthropes
* Werecats
* Werewolves
* Undead
* Death
* Ghosts
* Mummies
* Skeletons
* Vampires
* Zombies
* Unicorns
* Yōkai

|

Characters|

* Barbarian
* Caveman
* Damsel in distress
* Dark lord
* Donor
* Dragonslayer
* Fairy godmother
* Heroes
* Magicians
* Occult detective
* list
* Wild man
* Witches

Magic system|

* Hard and soft
* Elements
* Dark / Neutral / Light
* Ceremonial
* Love
* Moon
* Magic item
* Grimoire
* Magic ring
* Magical weapons
* Magic sword
* Runes
* Wand

* Schools
* Alchemy
* Demonology
* Divination
* Egregore
* Evocation
* Incantation
* Necromancy
* Runecraft
* Shamanism
* Shapeshifting
* Thaumaturgy
* Theurgy
* Technomancy
* Witchcraft

Fantasy races|

* Centaurs
* Dwarves
* Elves
* Treants
* Giants
* Gnomes
* Goblins
* Gremlins
* Halflings
* Hobgoblins
* Kobolds
* Leprechauns
* Merfolk
* Mermaids
* Mermen
* Ogres
* Oni
* Orcs
* Trolls

Places and events|

* Quests
* Worlds
* list
* Maps
* Lost city
* Hollow Earth
* Astral plane
* Dreamworld
* Castle
* Enchanted forest
* Thieves' guild
* Magic school

Related|

* Allegory
* Dungeons & Dragons
* Epic poetry
* Fable
* Fantastic
* Horror fiction
* Human–animal hybrid
* LGBT themes in speculative fiction
* Mecha
* Mythology
* Science fiction
* Supernatural fiction
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