The Tale of Su Liu Niang

== Early versions ==

== Early versions ==

In 1956, the famous [[Peking opera]] artists [[Mei Lanfang]] (梅蘭芳) and Ouyang Yuqian (歐陽予倩) were given two Ming Dynasty engraved copies of Teochew operas when they visited Japan. Both copies were published during the Wanli period (萬歷年間) of the Ming Dynasty and collected by the Institute of Oriental Literature (東洋文學研究所) of the [[University of Tokyo]]. The titles of the copies are "Ten Complete Collection of Golden Flower Girls in Teochew Tune" (摘錦潮調金花女大全) and the "Ancient Edition of Su Liu Niang" (古版蘇六娘).{{Cite web |title=潮州歌册韵律研究——以《古版苏六娘全歌》为例 {{!}} 潮州歌册-汕头大学图书馆 |url=http://app.lib.stu.edu.cn/gece/node/988 |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=app.lib.stu.edu.cn}}

In 1956, the famous [[Peking opera]] artists [[Mei Lanfang]] (梅蘭芳) and [[Ouyang Yuqian]] (歐陽予倩) were given two Ming Dynasty engraved copies of Teochew operas when they visited Japan. Both copies were published during the Wanli period (萬歷年間) of the Ming Dynasty and collected by the Institute of Oriental Literature (東洋文學研究所) of the [[University of Tokyo]]. The titles of the copies are "Ten Complete Collection of Golden Flower Girls in Teochew Tune" (摘錦潮調金花女大全) and the "Ancient Edition of Su Liu Niang" (古版蘇六娘).{{Cite web |title=潮州歌册韵律研究——以《古版苏六娘全歌》为例 {{!}} 潮州歌册-汕头大学图书馆 |url=http://app.lib.stu.edu.cn/gece/node/988 |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=app.lib.stu.edu.cn}}

A [[Qing dynasty]] Jieyang scholar, Xie Bu (謝錬, 1830-1876), courtesy name Chaoyun (巢雲) wrote a poem to summarize the tale:[http://app.lib.stu.edu.cn/gece/sites/default/files/2018-06/%E6%BD%AE%E5%B7%9E%E6%AD%8C%E5%86%8C%E9%9F%B5%E5%BE%8B%E7%A0%94%E7%A9%B6%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E4%BB%A5%E3%80%8A%E5%8F%A4%E7%89%88%E8%8B%8F%E5%85%AD%E5%A8%98%E5%85%A8%E6%AD%8C%E3%80%8B%E4%B8%BA%E4%BE%8B.pdf http://app.lib.stu.edu.cn/gece/sites/default/files/2018-06/潮州歌册韵律研究——以《古版苏六娘全歌》为例.pdf]

A [[Qing dynasty]] Jieyang scholar, Xie Bu (謝錬, 1830-1876), [[courtesy name]] Chaoyun (巢雲) wrote a poem to summarize the tale:[http://app.lib.stu.edu.cn/gece/sites/default/files/2018-06/%E6%BD%AE%E5%B7%9E%E6%AD%8C%E5%86%8C%E9%9F%B5%E5%BE%8B%E7%A0%94%E7%A9%B6%E2%80%94%E2%80%94%E4%BB%A5%E3%80%8A%E5%8F%A4%E7%89%88%E8%8B%8F%E5%85%AD%E5%A8%98%E5%85%A8%E6%AD%8C%E3%80%8B%E4%B8%BA%E4%BE%8B.pdf http://app.lib.stu.edu.cn/gece/sites/default/files/2018-06/潮州歌册韵律研究——以《古版苏六娘全歌》为例.pdf]

{{Blockquote|text=When cuckoo flowers bloom on intertwined branches, Their bloodstained souls cannot be awakened by their cries. Beauty's fate is thin for it is full of love, Who is as affectionate as the Su family's daughter?

{{Blockquote|text=When cuckoo flowers bloom on intertwined branches, Their bloodstained souls cannot be awakened by their cries. Beauty's fate is thin for it is full of love, Who is as affectionate as the Su family's daughter?

=== The Long Narrative Ballad ===

=== The Long Narrative Ballad ===

''The Complete Ballad of the Newly Composed ‘Su Liuniang – The Story of the Gold Hairpin and Silk Handkerchief’ in the Old Style'' (古板新造蘇六娘金釵羅帕記全歌){{Cite web |title=古板新造蘇六娘金釵羅帕記全歌 - 維基文庫，自由的圖書館 |url=https://zh.wikisource.org/zh-hant/%E5%8F%A4%E6%9D%BF%E6%96%B0%E9%80%A0%E8%98%87%E5%85%AD%E5%A8%98%E9%87%91%E9%87%B5%E7%BE%85%E5%B8%95%E8%A8%98%E5%85%A8%E6%AD%8C |access-date=2026-03-01 |website=zh.wikisource.org |language=zh-Hant}} is a narrative songbook (a form of Teochew ballad, 潮州歌册) that circulated in the Teochew region during the late Qing dynasty. It was published by Li Wanli of Yian Road, Teochew. This work is a long narrative poem depicting the tragic love story of Su Liuniang and Guo Jichun. Its content belongs to a traditional genre of Teochew folk songs and serves as one of the textual foundations for the Teochew opera ‘Su Liuniang’. The plot of this version is:

''The Complete Ballad of the Newly Composed ‘Su Liuniang – The Story of the Gold Hairpin and Silk Handkerchief’ in the Old Style'' (古板新造蘇六娘金釵羅帕記全歌){{Cite web |title=古板新造蘇六娘金釵羅帕記全歌 - 維基文庫，自由的圖書館 |url=https://zh.wikisource.org/zh-hant/%E5%8F%A4%E6%9D%BF%E6%96%B0%E9%80%A0%E8%98%87%E5%85%AD%E5%A8%98%E9%87%91%E9%87%B5%E7%BE%85%E5%B8%95%E8%A8%98%E5%85%A8%E6%AD%8C |access-date=2026-03-01 |website=zh.wikisource.org |language=zh-Hant}} is a narrative songbook (a form of Teochew ballad, 潮州歌册) that circulated in the Teochew region during the late Qing dynasty. It was published by Li Wanli of Yian Road, Teochew. This work is a long narrative poem depicting the tragic love story of Su Liuniang and Guo Jichun. Its content belongs to a traditional genre of Teochew folk songs and serves as one of the textual foundations for the [[Teochew opera]] ‘Su Liuniang’. The plot of this version is:

Su Liuniang is the cherished daughter of the wealthy family in Xilu (西臚). Living across from her is Guo Jichun (郭繼春), the gentle and talented son of the Guo household. As they grow up in neighboring homes, they begin to notice one another—Liuniang glimpsing Jichun reading and playing music upstairs, and Jichun watching her tend flowers or embroider by the window. Their quiet admiration gradually blossoms into affection. Their first true connection comes during a chance meeting in the garden, where Liuniang is picking peaches. Jichun is struck by her grace, and they exchange poems that reveal their mutual longing. From that moment, their relationship deepens through secret conversations, shared verses, and the shy but sincere promises of two young hearts discovering love. Just as their bond strengthens, Jichun is called away on official duties. The lovers part reluctantly, exchanging a gold hairpin and an embroidered handkerchief as tokens of fidelity. Liuniang urges him to stay true despite the temptations and uncertainties of the outside world. Once he leaves, she pours her emotions into letters—entrusting them to her maid, Peach Blossom—hoping they will reach him safely. Time passes with no news. Liuniang’s worry grows into anguish. She wanders the garden at night, confiding in the moon and the flowers, fearing that misfortune or distance may have severed their fragile connection. Yet she remains steadfast, insisting that even if her body fails, her devotion will not.

Su Liuniang is the cherished daughter of the wealthy family in Xilu (西臚). Living across from her is Guo Jichun (郭繼春), the gentle and talented son of the Guo household. As they grow up in neighboring homes, they begin to notice one another—Liuniang glimpsing Jichun reading and playing music upstairs, and Jichun watching her tend flowers or embroider by the window. Their quiet admiration gradually blossoms into affection. Their first true connection comes during a chance meeting in the garden, where Liuniang is picking peaches. Jichun is struck by her grace, and they exchange poems that reveal their mutual longing. From that moment, their relationship deepens through secret conversations, shared verses, and the shy but sincere promises of two young hearts discovering love. Just as their bond strengthens, Jichun is called away on official duties. The lovers part reluctantly, exchanging a gold hairpin and an embroidered handkerchief as tokens of fidelity. Liuniang urges him to stay true despite the temptations and uncertainties of the outside world. Once he leaves, she pours her emotions into letters—entrusting them to her maid, Peach Blossom—hoping they will reach him safely. Time passes with no news. Liuniang’s worry grows into anguish. She wanders the garden at night, confiding in the moon and the flowers, fearing that misfortune or distance may have severed their fragile connection. Yet she remains steadfast, insisting that even if her body fails, her devotion will not.