I love the movie Mulan on Disney Plus. I love strong women. I love chi … or life force.

Here’s the gist:

“To keep her ailing father from serving in the Imperial Army, a fearless young woman disguises herself as a man and battles northern invaders in China.”

I’ll let quotes from the film do the talking:

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An army commander speaking to Mulan and the other soldiers:

The chi pervades the universe and all living things … But only the most true will connect deeply to his chi and become a great warrior. Tranquil as a forest, but one fire within.

Mulan’s father speaking to the ancestors:

If you had such a daughter – her chi, the boundless energy of life itself, speaking through her every motion – could you tell her that only a son could wield chi?

Mulan’s father speaking to her (10-years-old):

Your chi is strong, Mulan. But chi is for warriors, not daughters. Soon, you’ll be a young woman, and it is time for you to hide your gift away. To silence its voice.

The matchmaker speaking to Mulan and her mother:

Quiet. Composed. Graceful. Elegant. Poised. Polite. These are the qualities we see in a good wife. These are the qualities we see in Mulan. When a wife serves her husband, she must be silent. She must be invisible.

Mulan’s father:

I am the father.  It is my place to bring honor to our family on the battlefield.  You are the daughter.  Learn your place.

Mulan (17-years-old):

I know my place. And it is my duty to fight for the kingdom and protect the emperor.

Mulan disguises herself as Hua Jun. Her true identity remains a secret for a long time. Eventually she is one of the leaders as the Imperial Army defeats the invaders.

Mulan returns home:

Forgive me, Father. I stole your horse. I stole your sword. I stole your armor. And the sword … I lost it. The sword is gone. Now I understand how much that sword means to you.

Father:

It is my daughter that means everything to me.

And Hua Jun did die. For a lie can only live so long. But Mulan lived.

An army commander, speaking to Mulan and the people of her village:

She has brought honor to her ancestors, to her family, to her village, and to her country.

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May we all be “loyal, brave and true”