Available Variants
Ye Xian
Annotations Enabled
Long before the Qin and Han dynasties, there lived a girl named Ye Xian. Her only friend was a beautiful fish with golden eyes...
Field Notes
My Folklore Journal
Record your thoughts, motifs you noticed, or personal connections to this tale.
Cross-Cultural Sister Tales
Cultural Note
The oldest recorded version of the Cinderella story, dating back to the 9th century.
Frequently Asked Questions
Editorial Review
E-E-A-T
Reviewed by
Dr. Eleanor Vance, Folklore Studies
Last updated
April 1, 2026
Sources & References
- 1.Aarne, A. & Thompson, S. — The Types of the Folktale (1961)
- 2.Lindahl, C. — European Folklore: An Encyclopedia (2004)
- 3.Dorson, R. — Peasant Customs and Savage Myths (1968)
Community Discussion
F
FolkloreFan2 days ago
I love how this variant emphasizes the role of the magical helper. It's so different from the version I grew up with!
S
Scholar_Jane5 hours ago
The ATU 510A classification really helps in seeing the structural similarities with Ye Xian. Fascinating stuff.
