It goes without saying that Fa Mulan is the most famous sword-wielding heroine we’ve seen in cartoons in the past decade or so. Her courage, determination, and willingness to fight for her family have made her a favorite among little girls who aren’t quite satisfied with role playing as Disney princesses.
Many of us fans are now older, so getting a sword replica of Mulan’s swords in the live-action Mulan movie and animated film means looking for one that would make a great costume accessory that we can proudly wear with our Mulan costumes on our next trip to one of the Disney parks.
Mulan Uses a Chinese JianSword
Mulan’s sword is a jian in both films. While many fans confuse it for the katana that was popular among samurai and ninja in Japan, the swords couldn’t be more different. The jian has a straight blade with two sharpened sides versus the katana which was a curved blade and one sharpened side.
The earliest known records of a jian being made was in 1697 BCE during the rule of the Yellow Emperor. Unlike later swords that were made of crude variants of stainless steel, the early versions of the jian used copper. Towards the end of China’s days as an empire, it had become such a prominent feature of cultural attire that people used it as a status symbol, decorating the scabbard to reflect their social standing.
Mulan’s Sword Symbolizes Her Values
Much like how the traditional jian could tell you about its owner’s social status and family ties, Fa Mulan’s jian in the movies were symbolic of her as a person. Its engraved symbols stand for “Loyal, brave, and true” which is meant to represent Mulan’s spirit with regards to what values she holds dearest and what qualities she possesses.
Best Seller Mulan Sword Replicas To Add to Cart and Your Wishlist
Though you can get away with cosplaying Pocahontas without a weapon replica, characters like Mulan and Raya from Raya and the Last Dragon are going to need a sword replica. Whether you’re planning to dress up as them or you just want something to use as a piece of decor, these Mulan sword replicas are perfect for the job.
Mulan Toy Sword Replica
Mulan’s sword in the live-action film has a more ornate design which is fitting considering that her father is a distinguished military man. Compared to the sword from the animated film, this sword has brighter colors and a lively gold engraved cross guard and pommel complete with a red tassel.
While the replica version isn’t made of steel, it nails all of the details from the movie perfectly. Even the engravings of “loyal, brave, and true” are done in believable gold paint that makes the entire sword replica look like it’s made of metal when it’s actually a rigid ABS plastic.
Length: 50.8 cm
Material: ABS Plastic
Mulan’s Battle-Ready Jade Tassel Sword
This sword replica isn’t so much a replica of Mulan’s specific sword, but a battle-ready copy of the jian itself. It’s a more historically accurate copy that you can use in a real fight or in martial arts practice. This is great for Mulan fans who are enthusiastic about history or martial arts.
The sword has a fully sharpened stainless steel blade attached to an engraved cross guard. Its handle features a bamboo-like motif and is topped off with a tassel. The tassel itself is a work of art that combines a chinese knot, an engraved yellow jade pendant, and a black tassel end to form a true collector’s piece.
Length: 102 cm
Material: Folded High Carbon Steel
Conclusion
Mulan’s jian is symbolic of her courage and strength, making it a no-brainer that people want to emulate her by dressing up as her. Since that means having her sword, these Mulan sword replicas are a great option for accessorizing your Mulan cosplays. For casual hobbyists, the plastic toy version is the best option, while the battle-ready copy of the historical jian is better for fans who want to dress up and practice Mulan’s martial art skills.
20-something freelance writer who likes games and history maybe a little too much. When I'm not writing for the web, I write notes for a new Dungeons and Dragons campaign. Hyperfixations include Genshin Impact, color eyeliner, true crime, and Star Wars.
Juliana has been writing for nearly thirty years and concentrates on Tudor and Medieval history. She has written for Tudor Dynasty, Tudor Writing Circle, Historian Matt Lewis, and others. Juliana currently writes for Pen and Sword Publishers and is the author of several books, including Medicine in the Middle Ages and A History of Insanity and the Asylum.
