What’s the difference between wuxia, xianxia, and xuanhuan?
One of the most common questions readers have when exploring Chinese fantasy literature is understanding the differences between wuxia, xianxia, and xuanhuan.
While these genres share similar-sounding names and storytelling elements, each has its own distinct characteristics and conventions. Let’s explore these genres within the broader context of Chinese speculative fiction.
Speculative fiction 幻想小说
Speculative fiction is referred to as 幻想小说 (huànxiǎng xiǎoshuō). It literally means imaginative or speculative fiction. It can be divided into two broad sub-genres:
- Science fiction (科幻 kēhuàn) - Stories focusing on technological speculation
- Fantasy (奇幻 qíhuàn) - Stories involving fantastical and supernatural elements
The term huan (幻 huàn) refers to xuhuan (虚幻 xūhuàn), which means fantasy or illusion.
Ke (科 kē) is derived from keji( 科技 kējì), which means technology. Kehuan is literally speculative fiction about technology.
Qihuan 奇幻: Chinese fantasy fiction
Qihuan is the Chinese term for the fantasy genre.
Qi (奇 qí) refers to qiyi (奇异 qíyì), which means strange or fantastic. Qihuan is literally fantastical speculative fiction.
This broad genre encompasses various subgenres including wuxia, xianxia, and xuanhuan. Western-style fantasy with magical elements is sometimes specifically referred to as mohuan (魔幻 móhuàn), where mo comes from mofa (魔法 mófǎ), meaning magic.
Unique features of qihuan:
- Encompasses both traditional Chinese and Western fantasy elements
- Serves as an umbrella term for various fantasy subgenres
- Can include both high fantasy and low fantasy elements
- Often features supernatural or magical elements
Wuxia 武俠: The classic martial heroes
Wuxia (武俠) represents the foundation of Chinese martial arts fiction. Breaking down the term:
- Wu (武 wǔ) means combat or martial arts.
- Xia (俠 xiá) has several meanings. It can refer to the code of xia or a chivalrous person who lives by the code.
Key characteristics of wuxia:
- Focus on martial artists with extraordinary but non-magical abilities
- Strong emphasis on the code of xia, which includes honour, justice, loyalty, and bravery.
- Set in the historical jianghu, the martial arts world
- Features realistic martial arts enhanced by internal energy cultivation
- Characters can perform incredible feats like roof-jumping or water-walking
Important distinction: While wuxia stories often appear in kung fu movies, not all kung fu stories are wuxia. Kung fu films primarily focus on martial arts techniques and fighting, while wuxia emphasizes the moral code and character development alongside martial arts action.
Xianxia 仙侠: Immortal heroes
Xianxia emerged as a fusion between wuxia and Chinese mythology. The term combines:
- Xian (仙 xiān) means an immortal or celestial being.
- Xia means the code of xia or a chivalrous person who lives by the code.
Distinctive elements of xianxia:
- Incorporates immortals, demons, spirits, and other supernatural beings
- Heavy influence from Chinese, especially Daoist, mythology and cultivation practices
- Characters can achieve immortality through cultivation
- Contains martial arts elements but, but unlike wuxia, adds magical and mystical powers
- Often features celestial realms and immortal societies
There are some debates over whether xianxia is a sub-genre of wuxia or a separate genre stemming from a misconception or misunderstanding of the terms and genre. It is generally accepted that xianxia is a sub-genre of wuxia since it developed later on through a fusion of wuxia and Chinese mythology.
Xuanhuan 玄幻: Unlimited fantasies
Xuanhuan (玄幻) represents the most experimental and boundary-pushing of these genres. The term comes from:
- Xuan refers to (xuánxiǎng) 玄想, which means imagination or illusion.
- Huan means fantasy or illusion.
The term comes from author Huang Yi, the pioneer of the genre. He referred to his works as fantasy novels based on the imagination.
Unlike traditional fantasy/qihuan, xuanhuan is based on fantasy but combines elements from science fiction and wuxia. They could also be adaptations of movies, anime, or games similar to fan fiction.
Xuanhuan pushes the boundaries of speculative fiction by being a melting pot of the wildest fantasies. Anything the authors can imagine can be possible in these stories.
What makes xuanhuan unique:
- Combines elements from multiple genres, including fantasy, sci-fi, and wuxia
- No strict adherence to traditional Chinese mythology
- Often incorporates modern concepts or alternate worlds
- Maximum creative freedom in worldbuilding and magic systems
- Can include elements from other media like games or anime
Differences Between Wuxia, Xianxia, and Xuanhuan
When reading Chinese fantasy, you can identify the genre by looking for these key indicators:
Wuxia
- Historical Chinese setting
- Focus on martial arts and internal energy
- No explicit magic or supernatural beings
- Strong emphasis on chivalric code
Xianxia
- Supernatural elements from Chinese mythology
- Cultivation towards immortality
- Presence of gods, demons, and spirits
- Combination of martial arts and magic
Xuanhuan
- Genre-blending elements
- May include modern or sci-fi concepts
- Unrestricted by traditional mythology
- Often features unique magic systems