Available Variants
The Emperor's New Clothes
Many years ago there was an emperor who spent all his money on clothes. He cared nothing about his soldiers or his theater; he only wanted to show off his new garments. One day two swindlers arrived, claiming they could weave the most magnificent cloth imaginable. They said the cloth was invisible to anyone who was stupid or unfit for his position.
The emperor paid them a large sum to make him a suit from this cloth. His ministers, afraid of being thought foolish, pretended they could see it. At last the emperor marched through the streets in his 'new clothes' while everyone pretended to admire them, until a small child cried out, 'But he hasn't got anything on!'
Field Notes
My Folklore Journal
Record your thoughts, motifs you noticed, or personal connections to this tale.
Andersen adapted this story from a Spanish tale collected in Juan Manuel's 'El Conde Lucanor' (1335), but gave it his own satirical touch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Editorial Review
Reviewed by
Dr. Eleanor Vance, Folklore Studies
Last updated
April 1, 2026
Sources & References
- 1.Brix, J. — Hans Christian Andersen: A New Life (2005)
- 2.Andersen, H.C. — Andersen's Fairy Tales: A Dual-Language Book (1843)
- 3.Tatar, M. — The Art of the Literary Fairy Tale (2019)
Community Discussion
I love how this variant emphasizes the role of the magical helper. It's so different from the version I grew up with!
The ATU 510A classification really helps in seeing the structural similarities with Ye Xian. Fascinating stuff.
