Xing Xiuniang

Xing Xiuniang (Chinese: 邢秀娘 or 邢綉娘; pinyin: Xíng Xiùniáng) is depicted in some fictions as a Chinese farmer who transitioned into an opera actress. She is believed to have come from Huangmei County in Hubei Province and to have lived during either the Ming Dynasty, Qing Dynasty or Republic of China. A recent narrative suggests she also lived and performed in Jiangxi Province during the early Daoguang period (1820–1850). While some stories extol her beauty and talent, there are no written records to confirm her life's details. Furthermore, there's no evidence to validate her existence as a historical figure. The character is thought to be inspired by a real woman, Li Zicheng's wife, from the late Ming Dynasty. Stories about Xing Xiuniang have spanned nearly 300 years. The controversies in these narratives often stem from rural writers in Huangmei County, who, lacking historical expertise, adjust her age repeatedly to lend credibility to their stories. The local government of Huangmei is suspected of using this ambiguity to claim credit for Huangmei opera, which is generally believed to have originated and developed in Anqing, Anhui.

Anecdotes In 1962, researcher Gui Yuqiu collected some anecdotes about Xing Xiuniang from local tea-picking opera artists Gui Youlin and Mei Chongxi , who in turn received the stories from their seniors Luo Yunbao , Mei Jinyu and Shuai Shixin . In 1982, a bamboo craftsmith named Gui Guangwen shared additional anecdotes he heard in the 1960s.

According to them, Xing Xiuniang was born in a peasant family in Dadun (大墩), Konglong, Huangmei County, Hubei. She learned tea-picking opera and lianxiang dance from her older brother and his wife. She got married, but her husband soon drowned while repairing a dam. She moved back to live with her brother's family, did farm work, and performed locally during the slow days. She played dan (female) roles, such as the Seventh Fairy and Zhu Yingtai, to great acclaim. The Legend of the Huangmei Opera Grandmaster has generated anger in Anqing and professional actors.

Huangmei County has also allocated ¥1.1 billion towards a tourist site named "Xing Xiuniang Ecological Park" .