From Combat Technique to Narrative: A Study on the Intertextual Construction of Wushu and Wuxia
* By Guo Cheng * Art Horizons, October 2025 *
Abstract
Employing methods such as the literature review and through logical analysis, this study conducts an in-depth exploration of the functional transformation and symbolization process of Chinese Wushu in its historical evolution. It analyses the intertextual relationship formed between Wushu and Wuxia, aiming to reveal how Chinese Wushu has gradually evolved into a core symbol in Wuxia narratives through cultural coding and media transformation. The research shows that in the process of Wushu’s transformation from physical technique to symbolization, and then to narrative, it not only shapes a unique aesthetic system, but also profoundly reflects the view of body and ethics embodied in Wushu, as well as its adaptation and reshaping in the context of the new era.
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About the author(s)
Guo Cheng
School of Physical Education, Nanjing Xiaozhuang University, Nanjing, China
