Madame White Snake remains one of China’s most enduring love stories, symbolizing the power of true devotion and the struggle against rigid boundaries imposed by tradition.
Long ago in China, a white snake spirit named Bái Sùzhēn had spent a thousand years cultivating spiritual power to take human form. Desiring to live among people, she descended to the mortal world with her friend and companion, Xiǎoqīng, the Green Snake spirit. Disguised as two elegant young women, they traveled to West Lake in Hangzhou, where fate brought them together with a kind-hearted herbalist named Xu Xiān.
During a sudden spring rain, Bái Sùzhēn and Xu Xiān shared an umbrella. From that brief encounter, love bloomed. Soon after, they married and opened a pharmacy together. With Bái Sùzhēn’s hidden magic and healing knowledge, their business prospered. The couple became well-known for their kindness and generosity, and for a time, they lived in peace.
However, their happiness drew the attention of Fǎhǎi, a powerful monk from Jinshan Temple, who could sense the supernatural. He believed humans and spirits should not mix and warned Xu Xiān that his wife was not human. Doubt began to creep into Xu Xiān’s heart.
On the Dragon Boat Festival, Fǎhǎi tricked Xu Xiān into giving Bái Sùzhēn a cup of realgar wine, which repels spirits. Upon drinking it, she lost control of her human form and transformed into a massive white snake. Seeing her true form, Xu Xiān fainted in shock and died.
Devastated, Bái Sùzhēn traveled to the underworld, braving many dangers to obtain the Lingzhi herb, a magical fungus that could restore life. She returned and revived Xu Xiān. Touched by her sacrifice, he forgave her, and they reunited, but their joy was short-lived.
Fǎhǎi kidnapped Xu Xiān and imprisoned him in Jinshan Temple. Determined to rescue him, Bái Sùzhēn and Xiǎoqīng marched to the temple, leading to a dramatic battle. Bái Sùzhēn summoned the power of the heavens and flooded the temple, nearly drowning it, but Fǎhǎi’s magic was stronger. He defeated Bái Sùzhēn and imprisoned her beneath Leifeng Pagoda beside West Lake, separating her forever from her beloved husband.
Xiǎoqīng escaped and vowed revenge, but for many years, Bái Sùzhēn remained trapped. In time, her son, raised by Xu Xiān, grew up to be a brilliant scholar. After achieving great honors in the imperial exams, he visited Leifeng Pagoda and, through his merit and devotion, caused the pagoda to collapse. Bái Sùzhēn was finally freed.
Though the family was reunited, the story is remembered as a bittersweet tale of love, sacrifice, and the tension between the supernatural and human worlds.
《白蛇传》是中国四大民间传说之一，融合了爱情、奇幻与悲剧，象征着忠贞不渝的爱情与对自由幸福的追求。
很久以前，修炼千年的白蛇精白素贞化作人形，带着青蛇精小青来到人间游历。她们在杭州西湖巧遇一位善良的书生许仙。清明节那天，西湖边突降细雨，白素贞与许仙共撑一把伞，自此情愫暗生，二人很快结为夫妻，并在杭州开设药铺行医。
白素贞借助法力，治病救人，医术高明，药铺名声远扬，夫妻俩过着幸福美满的生活。然而，这段人妖之恋引起了金山寺法海和尚的注意。他识破白素贞的身份，坚信妖不能与人共存，决意阻止这段姻缘。
端午节那天，法海诱导许仙给白素贞喝下雄黄酒，她饮后法力失控，现出原形——一条巨大的白蛇。许仙见状惊吓过度，当场昏死过去。
悲痛欲绝的白素贞不顾一切闯入地府，盗得仙草灵芝，拼尽全力将许仙救活。许仙感动于她的深情与牺牲，终于原谅了她，两人重归于好。但好景不长，法海设计将许仙诱入金山寺软禁。
白素贞与小青奋力营救，怒闯金山寺。她唤起江水，掀起洪波，几乎淹没整座寺庙。然法海法力高强，终将白素贞镇压于西湖雷峰塔下，夫妻从此天人永隔。
多年后，白素贞与许仙的儿子长大成才，考中状元。他来到雷峰塔祭拜母亲，因其积德行善，感动天地，雷峰塔轰然倒塌，白素贞得以重见天日。
一家终于团聚，这段跨越人妖界限的爱情故事也成为千古传颂的佳话。