Xianniang also known as Xian Lang in English speaking world is the secondary antagonist in the 2020 Disney live-action fantasy action drama film Mulan, a remake of the 1998 animated classic of the same name.
A powerful witch, Xianniang initially seeks love and acceptance from society. However, when her witchcraft is discovered, she is shunned and cast out due to the public’s fear and hatred of witches. Driven by a desire for vengeance against those who rejected her, she joins forces with Böri Khan as his second-in-command in his quest to invade China. Over time, she forms a complex relationship with Mulan, ultimately aiding her and sacrificing herself to save the heroine. In the live-action version, Xianniang takes the place of Hayabusa the Falcon, a character from the original animated film.
Xianniang was portrayed by Gong Li, known for her roles as Baigujing in The Monkey King 2 and Hatsumomo in Memoirs of a Geisha.
Personality:
Initially, Xianniang appears to be a sadistic and fiercely loyal ally to Böri Khan, willing to follow his orders without hesitation and occasionally displaying a flirtatious demeanor towards him. However, it becomes evident that her loyalty stems from her longing to be accepted for her powers. She harbors deep pain from being ostracized by society, and Böri Khan's acceptance gives her a sense of purpose. Despite her apparent villainy, Xianniang is not inherently evil. When she realizes that Böri Khan is using her for his own gain, she undergoes a change of heart. Respecting Mulan for her strength and bravery, Xianniang ultimately chooses to aid her, sacrificing herself to save Mulan and revealing a more loyal and compassionate side to her character.
Physical Appearance:
Xianniang is a striking woman in her late 20s with a slender frame, fair skin, and long, flowing black hair. Her delicate, ethereal features reflect her otherworldly beauty. She wears a gray-toned, bird-inspired costume adorned with silver scales, with sweeping, floor-length sleeves and a protective chest plate. The elaborate design of her costume includes a meticulously crafted headdress, which is inspired by the skull of a hawk—symbolizing her deep connection to birds and her fierce, predatory nature. Her sleeves, which at first glance seem light and gossamer-like, are actually capable of extending and becoming a deadly weapon, adding to her menacing yet graceful presence.
Powers and Abilities:
Xianniang is not just a powerful witch; she is a human weapon with a range of supernatural abilities. Among her most notable skills is her ability to shapeshift, often transforming into a hawk or even a flock of birds to fly, scout, and attack. She can also possess other beings, as seen when she takes control of a body to infiltrate the Imperial Palace. Her mastery of chi allows her to read and sense energy, and she possesses preternatural strength, far surpassing that of most men despite her delicate appearance. Additionally, Xianniang can heal using energy and move with superhuman speed, performing gravity-defying feats that make her an unpredictable and dangerous adversary. Her costume itself is not just a visual statement; her sleeves can extend and be used as a weapon, mimicking the sharp talons of a falcon. These abilities, combined with her shapeshifting and agility, make her a formidable force capable of taking on nearly any challenge.
With her supernatural abilities and combat expertise, Xianniang is a dangerous and unpredictable foe. Her combination of sorcery, shape-shifting, physical strength, and martial skills makes her one of the most formidable characters in Mulan
Xianniang is an accomplished sorceress with immense control over Qi, a mystical energy that flows through all living beings. She is highly skilled at manipulating this energy, which allows her to perform extraordinary feats. Her magical abilities, along with her past exile due to her powers, make her a dangerous and wandering figure with immense potential.
Qi Control: Qi is an essential force in the universe that can enhance physical abilities, provide healing, or even be used as a weapon. Xianniang's ability to control this energy gives her superhuman strength, speed, and durability.
Possession:
She can take control of other bodies. This power is used strategically, as seen when she possesses someone to infiltrate the Imperial Palace, demonstrating her ability to manipulate others and move unseen.
Shapeshifting:
Xianniang has the ability to transform into a hawk or even a flock of birds. This allows her to fly, scout, and attack from the air, making her a versatile and elusive opponent.
Transformation:
Xianniang’s most terrifying ability is her capacity to shape-shift into various forms:
Human Transformation: By gazing into her victim’s eyes, she can merge with them, assuming their appearance, making her an ideal scout or infiltrator. This allows her to blend in and move undetected among her enemies.
Hawk Transformation: She can turn into a hawk, enabling her to keep pace with an arrow and strike down enemies with a powerful flying blow.
Flock of Birds: In battle, she can transform into an entire flock of birds, overwhelming her enemies with a barrage of attacks. These birds are highly coordinated and can strike multiple armed squads simultaneously. The death of individual birds does not harm Xianniang, as she remains in control of the flock.
Chi Manipulation:
Xianniang can sense and read chi energy. This gives her a heightened awareness of the world around her and allows her to gauge the energy of others, which can be used to anticipate their actions or weaknesses.
Preternatural Strength:
Despite her slender, delicate appearance, Xianniang possesses strength that surpasses that of most men. Her physical prowess makes her a dangerous and powerful fighter, capable of overcoming formidable opponents.
Enhanced Characteristics:
Xianniang's mastery over Qi grants her the following enhanced abilities:
Superhuman Strength: She can easily catch arrows mid-flight and toss armored men aside with a single motion, demonstrating her incredible strength.
Superhuman Speed: She can move with such swiftness that she can easily dodge attacks and surprise her enemies.
Superhuman Durability: Xianniang is able to withstand heavy blows, including strikes from opponents who are her equal in strength.
Superhuman Speed & Agility:
She moves with exceptional speed, performing gravity-defying feats. This ability allows her to move swiftly and lightly, often catching her enemies off guard and making her difficult to capture or hit.
Flying Moves:
Xianniang possesses supernatural agility, enabling her to perform impossible acrobatic feats. Some of her most remarkable abilities include:
Wall Running: She can effortlessly run up the walls of a fortress, defying gravity and moving with speed and precision.
Incredible Acrobatics: With incredible agility, Xianniang can perform flips, somersaults, and leap unnaturally high in the air, making her an elusive and unpredictable fighter.
. Energy Healing:
Xianniang can heal herself and potentially others using energy. This ability allows her to recover from injuries, giving her a greater endurance in combat.
Hand-to-Hand Combat:
Xianniang is a master martial artist and hand-to-hand combatant. Her immense physical strength and combat training allow her to overwhelm multiple armed foes simultaneously. Key aspects of her hand-to-hand combat abilities include:
Disarming: She can effortlessly disarm opponents, using painful grips and quick throws to neutralize her enemies.
Powerful Attacks: Her strength allows her to knock enemies down with a single strike.
Quick Movements: She relies on speed, preferring to deliver rapid, powerful strikes to incapacitate her opponents.
Use of Robe: Her long flowing robes are more than just decorative—they serve as tools in combat. She uses them to strike, entangle, and disarm opponents, taking full advantage of their length and flexibility.
Swordsmanship and Weapon Skills:
Although Xianniang typically does not carry weapons, she is highly skilled in combat with various weapons, particularly the spear and sword. Her weapon skills include:
Spears and Swords: She has demonstrated remarkable proficiency with a spear and sword, showcasing her tactical combat skills.
Weapon Creation: Rather than carrying weapons, Xianniang can materialize throwing blades in her hands at will. These blades are sharp and deadly, allowing her to strike enemies with great accuracy and force. She can throw these blades so powerfully that they send her enemies flying back several steps.
Weaponized Sleeves:
Her costume, designed with bird-like motifs, includes long, flowing sleeves that can extend and transform into a weapon. These sleeves are deadly in combat, can grab and extend to attack opponents much like the talons of a falcon,
Falcon Talon Weapon:
The design of her outfit, specifically her sleeves, mimics the sharp talons of a falcon, which she can use in combat. These talon-like sleeves are both an elegant and lethal extension of her abilities.
Hawk-Inspired Weaponry:
Xianniang's crown, which is designed to resemble the skull of a hawk, further emphasizes her connection to birds and serves as a symbol of her predatory nature. While not explicitly a weapon, this element of her costume enhances her fierce and formidable persona.
trivia
Gong Li, who plays Mulan's enemy Xianniang, was the original model for Mulan's design in Mulan (1998).
Xianniang is often referred to as Xian Lang by non-Chinese speakers due to pronunciation differences and language barriers. The name "Xian Lang" is a simplified transliteration of her original name, stemming from how her name is heard and interpreted by those unfamiliar with the nuances of the Chinese language. While "Xianniang" is the correct name in Chinese, the altered form "Xian Lang" has become a common reference for her outside of Chinese-speaking regions.
