Yuan Ziyi (simplified: 袁紫衣, traditional: 袁紫衣, pinyin: Yuán Zǐyī, jyutping: jyun4 zi2 ji1), also known by her Buddhist name Yuanxing (圆性), was one of the female protagonists of Side Story of the Flying Fox. Her mother Yuan Yingu was raped by the tyrant Feng Tiannan, resulting in Yuan Ziyi’s birth. After her mother’s death, she was taken to Xinjiang by a senior nun from the Emei Order and became a Buddhist nun. She was one of the top martial artists in Jin Yong’s novels.
Biography
Early life
Yuan Ziyi’s mother, Yuan Yingu, was a fisherman’s daughter in Foshan. When delivering fish to Feng Tiannan’s home, she was raped by him and became pregnant. Her father went to confront Feng Tiannan but was insulted and eventually died from illness. After Yuan Ziyi was born, her uncles expelled her and her mother from the family. The mother and daughter were forced to beg in Foshan.
When Yuan Yingu attempted to marry a fish market worker, Feng Tiannan had the man killed. The mother and daughter fled north to Nanchang, where they encountered Tang Pei (汤沛), who claimed to be the “Seven Provinces Benefactor” (甘露惠七省汤大侠). He took them in but harboured evil intentions, and Yuan Yingu eventually died after being violated in Tang Pei’s residence.
Three days later, Yuan Ziyi was taken to Xinjiang by a senior nun from the Emei Order and became a Buddhist nun, receiving the religious name Yuanxing.
Name origin
“Yuan Ziyi” was not her birth name. She took the surname “Yuan” from her mother, and “Ziyi” (紫衣, meaning “purple robe”) was a reference to the “zīyī” (缁衣) worn by Buddhist nuns, playing on the homophone. Her Buddhist name “Yuanxing” (圆性) was later reversed to create “Yuan Ziyi.”
Journey to the Central Plains
Yuan Ziyi learned about the young hero Hu Fei from Zhao Banshan of the Red Flower Society while in Xinjiang. When she learned that Fukanggan, representing the imperial court, would hold a “Wulin Leader Conference” to select a chief leader to manage the martial arts world—though Fukanggan’s true intention was to gather all martial artists and eliminate them—she decided to travel to the Central Plains.
Her goals were twofold: to disrupt the conference and prevent Fukanggan’s scheme, and to find Feng Tiannan to avenge her mother’s death. However, she harboured conflicting feelings toward Feng Tiannan—hatred for his crimes, but also recognition of their father-daughter relationship. She resolved to save him three times to settle this relationship, then kill him to avenge her mother.
Encounter with Hu Fei
In Foshan, Yuan Ziyi learned that Hu Fei intended to kill Feng Tiannan to avenge the vegetable farmer Zhong Asi and his family, who had been oppressed by Feng Tiannan. However, Yuan Ziyi repeatedly prevented Hu Fei from killing Feng Tiannan, allowing Feng Tiannan to escape after killing Zhong Asi’s entire family.
During their pursuit of Feng Tiannan, Yuan Ziyi secretly followed Hu Fei. Her youthful nature led her to challenge Hu Fei, testing his martial arts skills. The two gradually developed feelings for each other during their journey together.
The Wulin Leader Conference
At Fukanggan’s Wulin Leader Conference, Yuan Ziyi removed her wig and revealed her true identity as a Buddhist nun. She killed Tang Pei, who had violated her mother, but was seriously wounded in the process. After learning that Cheng Lingsu had died saving Hu Fei, Yuan Ziyi left behind a Buddhist verse: “All love meetings are impermanent and difficult to last long. Life in this world is full of fear, and life is as fragile as morning dew. From love comes worry, from love comes fear. If one is free from love, there is no worry or fear.” She then departed sadly.
Personality
Yuan Ziyi was strong-willed, playful, and skilled in the martial arts of various schools. She was lively, witty, and mischievous, but her identity as a Buddhist nun suppressed her natural inclinations. She was torn between her love for Hu Fei and her religious vows, ultimately choosing to return to the Buddhist path.
Relationships
- Feng Tiannan (Father): The tyrant who raped her mother, creating a complex relationship of hatred and filial recognition.
- Yuan Yingu (Mother): Her mother, who died after being violated by Tang Pei.
- Hu Fei (Love Interest): The man she loved, though their relationship was ultimately impossible due to her Buddhist vows.
- Cheng Lingsu (Rival): Hu Fei’s companion who also loved him and sacrificed her life for him.
- Zhao Banshan (Mentor): A leader of the Red Flower Society who told her about Hu Fei and taught her various martial arts.
- Tang Pei (Enemy): The “Seven Provinces Benefactor” who violated her mother, whom she eventually killed.
Martial Arts
Yuan Ziyi was exceptionally skilled in martial arts, having learned techniques from various schools while in Xinjiang through her association with members of the Red Flower Society. Her light kung fu was outstanding, allowing her to steal Hu Fei’s baggage without him noticing. She was proficient in the martial arts of the Weituo School, Bagua School, and many other schools, defeating numerous masters and claiming leadership positions in nine and a half schools.
Her weapon was a silver thread soft whip (银丝软鞭) with a small golden ball at the tip, which could extend to a length of one zhang and one chi (approximately 3.7 meters). She could use the whip and the golden ball to accurately strike her opponents’ pressure points.
Legacy
Yuan Ziyi represents the tragic conflict between love and duty. Her story explores the theme of impossible love, as she was torn between her feelings for Hu Fei and her Buddhist vows. Her ultimate choice to return to the Buddhist path, despite her deep love for Hu Fei, demonstrates the power of religious commitment and the sacrifices it can demand.