A Comparison and Dissemination of the Cowboy Spirit in American Western Mythology and the Literary Image of the Xia in Chinese “Jianghu”

Abstract

This paper compares the cultural images of American cowboys and Chinese martial arts heroes (Xia), examining their cultural origins, social contexts, and spiritual cores to explore the profound differences between Eastern and Western concepts of freedom, justice, and heroism, and how different societies construct ideals of freedom, justice, and heroism. In this comparison, we will also draw on typical scenes from books and films to more clearly illustrate these points. Cowboys are rooted in the American frontier myth, embodying individualism, personal freedom, and resistance to authority. In contrast, the martial arts characters in Jin Yong’s novels reflect Confucian ethics and the moral responsibilities, loyalty, and emotional commitments shaped by the imagined “jianghu” world. This article highlights the fundamental differences between traditional heroic ideals in China and the West through examples drawn from films and literary works.