Veil

The veil that Xishi’s mother insists she wear in public symbolizes the danger and vulnerability that come with her beauty. The veil acts as a protective barrier, shielding Xishi from unwanted attention and potential harm. It represents how her beauty, while admired, also makes her a target, exposing her to envy, aggression, and exploitation. More broadly, the veil highlights the novel’s critique of how women’s appearances can become a source of objectification and control, forcing them to hide their true selves behind a mask for their own safety.

Washing Silk

Xishi washing silk in the opening chapter serves as a symbol of her humble origins. This act of rural domesticity and modesty, grounds her firmly in the world of ordinary village life. It contrasts sharply with the opulent, extravagant existence she will later lead in the Wu palace, where her every movement is...