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WuxiaSociety 🗡️ @wuxiasociety.com · 23/12/2025

Ever wondered why wuxia translations say masters "transmit" martial arts instead of just "teaching" them? The answer reveals fascinating insights about lineage, cultural transmission, and what makes the shifu-disciple bond sacred. #wuxia #chineseculture

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WuxiaSociety 🗡️ @wuxiasociety.com · 23/12/2025

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WuxiaSociety 🗡️ @wuxiasociety.com · 18/10/2025

I would love to check these out!

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WuxiaSociety 🗡️ @wuxiasociety.com · 16/10/2025

If you enjoyed this thread: 🔁 Repost the first post to share it 👇 🔖 Bookmark it for reference ➕ Follow me for more wuxia translations and deep dives ⚔️ I explore wuxia novels, Chinese culture, history, and the philosophy behind famous works such as Jin Yong's. bsky.app/profile/wuxi...

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WuxiaSociety 🗡️ @wuxiasociety.com · 16/10/2025

I've translated Jin Yong's full preface with all the fascinating details about each being, their characteristics, and the Buddhist philosophy behind them. Read it here: wuxiasociety.com/demi-gods-and-semi-devils-title-explanation #Wuxia #JinYong #Buddhism #Translation

wuxiasociety.com

Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils Title Explanation

Jin Yong wrote this Title Explanation when the First Edition was serialised and modified it later in the Second and Third Editions.

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WuxiaSociety 🗡️ @wuxiasociety.com · 16/10/2025

The title signals this is fantasy with depth—a story about flawed beings caught between mortal and divine, struggling with desires they can't escape. It's Jin Yong at his most philosophical, blending wuxia action with Buddhist contemplation.

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WuxiaSociety 🗡️ @wuxiasociety.com · 16/10/2025

Even divine beings experience "greed, hatred, and delusion" (the three poisons of Buddhism). Even devas die when their time comes, showing "Five Signs of Decay”—their greatest sorrow. All beings suffer. All seek enlightenment.

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WuxiaSociety 🗡️ @wuxiasociety.com · 16/10/2025

Here's the brilliant part: Jin Yong uses these beings as symbols for his mortal characters. The novel has no actual supernatural spirits—just humans with extraordinary martial arts abilities who struggle with the same emotions as these "non-human" beings.

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WuxiaSociety 🗡️ @wuxiasociety.com · 16/10/2025

Garudas have a tragic end: after a lifetime eating dragons, the accumulated venom poisons them. Unable to feed, they soar seven times before landing atop a mountain to die. Their bodies combust from the poison, leaving only hearts transformed into lapis lazuli.

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WuxiaSociety 🗡️ @wuxiasociety.com · 16/10/2025

The Asuras are wild---they're powerful beings with a violent, stubborn temperament. When the Buddha taught "Four Foundations of Mindfulness," the Asura King perversely taught "Five Foundations" just to be contrary. Ultimate "I refuse to accept fate" energy.

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WuxiaSociety 🗡️ @wuxiasociety.com · 16/10/2025

Asuras (阿修罗) - Jealous power-seekers who constantly war with gods Garudas (迦楼罗) - Massive birds who feast on dragons Kinnaras (紧那罗) - "Human yet not human" dancers Mahoragas (摩睺罗伽) - Python deities with human bodies and serpent heads

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WuxiaSociety 🗡️ @wuxiasociety.com · 16/10/2025

Jin Yong wrote a preface explaining the eight races: Devas (天) - Heavenly gods who still die Nāgas (龙) - Dragon deities Yakshas (夜叉) - Swift warrior spirits Gandharvas (乾闼婆) - Celestial musicians who feed on fragrances

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WuxiaSociety 🗡️ @wuxiasociety.com · 16/10/2025

The Chinese title literally means "Eight Legions of Deva and Nāga" These are eight types of supernatural beings from Buddhist scriptures who attended the Buddha's teachings—powerful, yet still trapped by mortal emotions and suffering.

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WuxiaSociety 🗡️ @wuxiasociety.com · 16/10/2025

🐉 Why is Jin Yong's novel called "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils"? The answer involves Buddhist mythology, supernatural beings, and brilliant symbolism. Let me explain 天龙八部 (Tiānlóng Bābù) 🧵

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WuxiaSociety 🗡️ @wuxiasociety.com · 15/01/2025

We redesigned the site from ground up! Looking forward to an awesome year ahead. wuxiasociety.com/wuxiasociety...

wuxiasociety.com

WuxiaSociety v2.0

We have moved to an all-new site with exciting features built in.

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WuxiaSociety 🗡️ @wuxiasociety.com · 15/01/2025

🔖 Wuxia Translation | Mandarin Duck Blades Chapter 7 is out Read now: wuxiasociety.com/mandarin-duc...

wuxiasociety.com

Mandarin Duck Blades Chapter 7

Part 7 of Mandarin Duck Blades translated by Jenxi Seow.

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