can someone tell me about the legend behind mulan?

According to Chinese legend, there was a female warrior named Hua Mulan who joined the army to fight in place of her father. Mulan was reputed to be a very brave woman who disguised herself as a man and fought in combat for 12 years. She has become an iconic heroine in Chinese and western cultures alike. The legend of Mulan is similar to several other female characters that dressed as men to fight in battle.