Summary

• conclusion, but a powerful one. Mulan's actions have saved China and its people. Her bravery and selflessness have made a significant impact, and she is rightfully recognized and praised for her heroic efforts.

Before there was the live-action war story of Mulan, there was Disney's animated version of the Chinese folk tale, and Mulan's quotes are some of the most memorable in Disney's animated catalog. The movie boasted an incredible voice cast that includes Ming-Na Wen, Eddie Murphy, James Hong, and Pat Morita. They deliver a number of significant quotes that really flesh out the themes of the epic story.

Fans continue to enjoy Mulan on Disney+ and indeed even its animated sequels. As the Walt Disney Company continues to add to its roster of inspirational female heroes, including their princesses, these Mulan quotes should remind audiences why this Chinese warrior is among the boldest and most courageous in their filmography.

"Loyal, Brave And True."

Repeated By Multiple Characters

This is a quote that is often associated with Mulan, from the promotional materials to versions of that quote scattered throughout the film. Ultimately, no matter the context, it's a line that holds great meaning for Mulan, who utters it herself almost like a mantra.

It perfectly encapsulates the woman that she is and the hero that she will become. She has to stay loyal, brave, and true to herself to ultimately find her way. The reason she is so beloved is because of those irable qualities, from which so many try to learn.

“What Beautiful Blossoms We Have This Year. But Look! This One's Late. But I'll Bet That When It Blooms, It Will Be The Most Beautiful.”

Zhou

Though the women in Mulan’s family are incredibly anxious to marry her off, her father is less so. In fact, he’s much more understanding than her female relatives about Mulan not being ready for a lifetime commitment to another family. He has a lot of wise lines in Mulan about growing up and persevering, and this is one of those.

Traditionally, those who mature later than others are called “late bloomers,” much like flowers that don’t open as early as others. That’s the same idea that Mulan’s father has here, though he specifically points out the blossoms outside their house to demonstrate to Mulan that she can take her time in growing up and that she doesn’t need to be a wife just yet.

“You Said You Trust Ping. Why Is Mulan Any Different?”

Mulan

One of the running themes in Mulan is equality. Mulan doesn’t understand why women and men cannot be considered equal. She works just as hard as any of the men when she decides to the army in her father’s place. Mulan also has a keen mind and is able to strategize. She’s able to go toe-to-toe with the Hun warriors they meet along the way. She doesn’t understand then, why when her identity as Mulan instead of Ping is discovered, she’s no longer trusted as a soldier.

For the soldiers she’s grown to know, it’s not just that she’s a woman, though that is a large contributing factor because of societal norms at the time. It’s also that she has been lying to them ever since they met her. It’s hard to trust someone in a combat situation when they’ve been lying. Of course, for Mulan, there was no choice but to become Ping, so she cannot understand the lack of trust.

“My Little Baby Is All Grown Up And Saving China!”

Mushu

Mushu gets a lot of the most comedic and memorable Mulan quotes. That is largely thanks to Eddie Murphy’s delivery of some of the lines. This line, for example, might not have been quite as memorable from another voice actor.

Murphy’s delivery of the line makes it one of the most ed (and imitated) lines in the movie. It reflects Mushu’s emotional state at that point in the movie because, even though he and Mulan haven’t been on their journey together for a very long time, he’s watched her grow immensely in that short amount of time.

“What Do We Want? A Girl Worth Fighting For?”

The Army

“A Girl Worth Fighting For” is one of the most rousing songs in Mulan. The different soldiers sing about the type of woman they hope to be with one day, referencing these future women as the ones worth fighting for. This line, however, ends up being all the more poignant when their journey is ground to a sudden halt.

That halt is because the group stumbles upon a village that has been completely destroyed by the Huns. A doll sits in the snow, demonstrating that there are children in the village as well. The little girl that the doll belonged to becomes the “girl worth fighting for” in the lyrics of the song, making it a much more serious line than it would have been just a verse earlier.

“Some Say The Phoenix Is Consumed By Flame And Emerges Again. I Think She Can Survive A Broken Wing."

Zhou

Mulan’s father is full of sage advice that he dresses up in metaphors. In this particular Mulan quote, Zhou is talking about surviving in instances of extreme pressure. The idea of the phoenix, a bird that literally dies and is born again because of extreme circumstances, doesn’t appeal to Zhou. He doesn’t think that people should have to “die and be reborn” under pressure.

Instead, Zhou understands that things in life might be hard for people, cause them injuries or difficult circumstances, but they can outlast and heal from them. He sees that in himself and in Mulan, two people who can keep going, even when things are hard. It’s a great piece of advice for Mulan, even if it is disguised as a story about a phoenix.

"There Is No Courage Without Fear."

Zhou

Mulan constantly looks up to her father, always striving to be just like him. She of course far succeeds what he ever achieved, but she does so by carrying with her a lesson Zhou once taught her. She wishes to be just as brave as him, but he reminds her just how alike they are.

There is no courage without fear because it takes bravery to actually face those demons. Mulan continues to move forward, even when she's afraid to be found out, afraid for her life, and afraid for the safety of her country. That's how she proves just how resilient she is because she never stops.

"She Has Brought Honor To Her Ancestors, To Her Family, To Her Village, And To Her Country."

Commander Tung

Mulan needed to hear that she didn't dishonor everyone she loves. She tries to fit in so that she can fulfill the role expected of her, thus not destroying the reputation of her family. But she can never manage it and instead makes a much bigger pledge, to protect her father.

Everything she does is a risk, yet she follows her heart, which is why she ultimately honors her whole country in the process. It's no longer about conforming to a stereotyped role, this Mulan quote from Commander Tung demonstrates everything she did paid off.

"Ancestors, Hear My Plea. Help Me Not To Make A Fool Of Me And To Not Uproot My Family Tree. Keep My Father Standing Tall."

Mulan

In another quote from one of the beautiful songs in Mulan, the titular princess is begging the ancestors to help guide her. It's such a vital quote in regard to the overall narrative, as it's the piece of the puzzle that ultimately unites her with Mushu.

Once again, she is so obsessed with never letting anyone down, so it's appropriate that the ancestors she wants to please actually seek to help her on her journey. They are already so proud of her courage and Mulan will come to learn that throughout the course of the film.

"Your Belief In Love Wasn't Strong Enough To Overcome Your Fear Of Rejection."

Mulan

Across her journey, Mulan comes to know that she isn't the only person hiding something. Indeed, while she might wear her emotions on her sleeve, those around her do not. Love is something that she has to allow to find her, and she's open to the prospect in the end.

But the theme of fear is prominent throughout the picture and this Mulan quote definitely demonstrates how it plays a different role here. It's scary to fall in love and to put one's self out there. Mulan doesn't end up getting rejected of course, but it's a powerful piece of scriptwriting.