The Mulan Story

Badass: “A single grain of rice can tip the scale.” Mulan, a seemingly ordinary maiden, was exactly the grain of rice China needed. Each letterform was meticulously created using scorched rice, symbolizing how one can rise above and beyond the expectations of any humble roots.

General: In Chinese, Mulan’s name means ‘magnolia,’ which pairs suitably with her last name, meaning ‘flower.’ This type is inspired by how her fellow soldiers in the army referred to Mulan as ‘General Hua,’ which translates to ‘General Flower.’ Each letter is carefully crafted from numerous real lily-magnolia flowers.

Demure: “Quiet and demure…” recites Disney’s Mulan as she memorizes some of the many social expectations. This piece juxtaposes the societal and gender norms of her time period by using different materials to reflect her long arduous journey and experience in military.

For my family: Each letterform uses traditional silk brocade patterns, which burned and ruined, symbolize the extraordinary selflessness and courage behind this young lady.

Woman: The direction of this composition draws upon how Mulan used armor to disguise the fact her gender. Mulan would only be able to wash herself under a shield of darkness, hence the scene portrays a night scene, and the letterforms fray and relax in the privacy and secrecy of the waters.

Sacrifice: This type draws from one of the most iconic scenes of Disney’s Mulan animation—when Mulan cut her hair before joining the army. By joining the army in place of her father, one of the first things Mulan was forced to sacrifice was her appearance and basic comforts.