How many warrior women of legend and history can you name? On Friday, and periodically after that, I’m going to pick one of these women and (briefly) tell her story. Friday will be the legend of the “founders” of Wing Chun, Ng Mui and her student, Yim Wing Chun.
I will attempt to distiguish fact from fiction, as best I can. Truthfully, though, I’m not sure it really makes a different whether a story is true or not — it can have an impact on us, either way. Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table aren’t historical figures, not as they’re presented in the stories. But I still named Dynamo after one, hoping he’ll emulate his namesake, at least in regards to the virtues of chivalry (I’m an amateur Arthurian scholar, so I know the stories of the knight’s failings and misdeeds; I’m hoping he doesn’t emulate those).
Fighting women lack such role models in story — a true shame, really, since there are more such stories out there than I’d even realized. Most people know the Amazons, Joan of Arc and now (thanks to Disney), Mu Lan. Some fewer can name Tomoe Gozen. I’d like to bring to light more stories of female bravery as an inspriation to girls and women. Figures such as Tomoe Gozen, Yim Wing Chun, Princess Píngyáng can give girls their own heroes, their own King Arthurs and Robin Hoods.
If any of you know of women you’d like to see me cover, please leave me a comment and I’ll add them to my list. The most popular suggestions will be covered first.
Posts in this series:
Tags: biographies, female warriors, legends, women martial artists
Joan of Arch always comes to mind. Wikipedia has a warrior women section. I am curious how much evidence for real Amazon women in the ancient world.
Boaddicca comes to mind.
Let me think. I’ve got a whole slew of them somewhere in the back of my brain.
How about: Hangaku Gozen, Mochizuki Chiyome and Nakano Takeko?
Thanks for the info! I’ve added them to my list.