Xi Shi, One of the Four Beauties

By Evan Mantyk

The phrase “sinking fish, falling geese, eclipsing the moon, shaming flowers” (沈魚落雁、閉月羞花) is ancient Chinese idiom of praise for an unparalleled beauty. The implication is that a lady is so beautiful that otherwise beautiful parts of nature simply shrink away in the viewer’s mind once she has been seen. You might even imagine colorful coy fish literally diving deep in a pond in shame since they cannot compare, and similarly geese falling from the sky, the envious moon being purposefully eclipsed, and blooming flowers feeling outdone—such is the powerful effect of her beauty.

The lady who had such an amazing power refers to Xi Shi, a beauty of Yue State who voluntarily offered herself to the King of Wu for the sake of her country, ultimately leading to the downfall of Wu State. The 2024 Shen Yun performance includes a dance drama about Xi Shi, celebrating the kindness and loyalty of this woman.

Although there is no definitive historical record of Xi Shi, her name has appeared in folklore since the pre-Qin Dynasty period (before 221 BC) and is mentioned by thinkers such as Mozi, Mencius, and Zhuangzi. Numerous poems and writings have celebrated her over the centuries.

Legend has it that Xi Shi, whose real name was Shi Yiguang, hailed from Zhuluo Village in Yue State during the late Spring and Autumn period (near present-day Zhuji, Zhejiang Province). Yue State, known for its mild climate and picturesque scenery, was famous for its sword making, weaving, and beautiful women.

In this tumultuous period, the powerful state of Wu defeated the state of Yue. The cunning Yue king Goujian feigned submission and served the King of Wu as if he were his own father, while secretly plotting revenge. According to one source, Goujian endured great humiliation, even tasting the king’s excrement to demonstrate loyalty. His loyal minister, Fan Li, sought to use the beautiful women of Yue to weaken the King of Wu’s resolve and create an opportunity to avenge their country. This is when they found the renowned silk-washing girl, Xi Shi.

After years of meticulous training in pleasing manners, Xi Shi captivated the King of Wu, Fuchai, successfully. Despite the strong opposition from Wu’s senior minister, Wu Zixu, Fuchai showered Xi Shi with affection, building her palaces on Gusu Terrace and Linyan Mountain. While Fuchai indulged in pleasure and neglected state affairs, Goujian gathered strength and eventually destroyed Wu.

There are legends that after the fall of Wu, Xi Shi either drowned herself, unwilling to leave with Fan Li, or hanged herself in guilt over Fuchai’s love. However, a few sources also say Xi Shi sailed away with Fan Li. Her ultimate fate remains a mystery.

Mozi from the pre-Qin period believed that Xi Shi’s beauty was a curse that brought disaster to herself and Wu. However, later generations defended her. Tang Dynasty poet Cui Daorong wrote, “Official Bo Pi ruined Wu, Xi Shi bore an evil name. The rushing waters where she washed silk seem to voice her grievance.” Poet Luo Yin questioned, “If Xi Shi understood how to overthrow Wu, who else would be to blame if Yue were destroyed?” If the people of Wu blamed Xi Shi for their downfall, who would be blamed if Yue had fallen instead? It is a belief in traditional Eastern civilization (and in Western civilization to a lesser extent) that Heaven has an arranged timing for the rise and fall of nations, and it was beyond the power of a beautiful woman to change fate.

There are similarly multiple layers of meaning to the Chinese idiom “in the eyes of lovers, every woman is a Xi Shi” (情人眼裡出西施). Like its Western counterpart “beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” this idiom is often thought to mean that beauty is subjective. However, the context of the original idiom from the Song Dynasty poetry anthology (“After Talks of the Fisherman of Tiaoxi”) adds a more profound meaning. Adding the words before the words that became the idiom, a fuller quote is this: “It is not the appearance that seduces people, but people who seduce themselves. In the eyes of lovers, every woman is a Xi Shi.” In other words, a beautiful appearance, such as that of Xi Shi, itself is not problematic; the root of seduction, and the disasters it can lead to, lies in a human heart that cannot control itself.

Xi Shi left an indelible mark on Chinese culture not only because of her unparalleled beauty, but more importantly because of her loyalty and willingness to sacrifice for a greater cause. She reminds us that worldly splendor, love, and beauty are meaningless without kindness and righteousness. It is a lesson that has endured through the ages.