Which Chinese legend is the main source for Disney’s Mulan story?

Disney’s Mulan story is mainly based on the Chinese legend known as The Ballad of Mulan.

The Ballad of Mulan is a traditional Chinese narrative poem about a young woman who takes her father’s place in military service. Its earliest surviving written form is associated with the Northern and Southern dynasties, although the exact historical identity of Mulan is uncertain and the story developed through later retellings.

Disney adapted the basic premise rather than reproducing the poem exactly. The 1998 animated film adds songs, comic characters, a romance, and a supernatural dragon, while the 2020 live-action film makes further changes to the family, military, and supernatural elements.

The Ballad of Mulan should not be confused with other famous Chinese works such as Journey to the West or Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Those are separate literary traditions with different characters and plots. The ballad’s enduring theme is Mulan’s devotion to her family and her ability to serve with distinction.