White Snake tale evolves into modern formats, with more emotion and contemplation, Xu Fan reports.

The household folklore of the Legend of the White Snake has a Cantonese Opera film, which uses a Chinese ink-painting-inspired cinematic approach in retelling the timeless love story. PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY

With the Year of the Snake arriving, the Legend of the White Snake — a household folklore passed down for more than 1,000 years — serves as a muse of many cultural programs and activities celebrating the Spring Festival holiday.

As one of the country's Four Great Folklores, the legend centering on two snake spirits intertwines with the fabric of Chinese culture, evolving from the Tang Dynasty (618-907) to the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, forging its influence in modern times.

Retold through novels, films, TV series, stage plays, and animated works, this tale exudes a lasting sense of mystery, unwavering love, and bravery in confronting oppression and stereotypes while sparking a deep contemplation on women's rights to pursue free marital choices.