Ten Brothers is a Chinese legend

Chinese mythology

Chinese mythology is a collection of cultural history, folktales, and religions that have been passed down in oral or written tradition. These include creation myths and legends and myths concerning the founding of Chinese culture and the Chinese state...

 known to be written around the time of the construction of the Great Wall of China

Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China is a series of stone and earthen fortifications in northern China, built originally to protect the northern borders of the Chinese Empire against intrusions by various nomadic groups...

, most likely during the Ming Dynasty

Ming Dynasty

The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...

 (1368 to 1644). It has been told and spun off in various adaptations, and remains popular since it is one of the oldest Chinese legend to feature characters in a superhero

Superhero

A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...

 fashion.

Story

The more modern version of the story has the couple swallow ten pearls and give birth to ten brothers. Each one of the brothers then possesses a different supernatural power, though he develops his power as the story progresses. At the end the brothers battle some form of an antagonist, and they only win when working in unity.
However, if the ten brothers come in touch with limestone, their power disappears and they become helpless.

Characters

Depending on the adaptations, different characters maybe found in the story. The only consistent characters among all the versions are the brothers themselves.

• 1st and Oldest Brother - Capable of seeing miles away with his binocular eyes.
• 2nd Brother - Capable of hearing miles away.
• 3rd Brother - Has herculean strength.
• 4th Brother - Has ability to stretch and is invincible.
• 5th Brother - Capable of flying.
• 6th Brother - Has a solid impenetrable head and the smartest.
• 7th Brother - Can grow in height and has super speed.
• 8th Brother - Capable of tunneling underground.
• 9th Brother - Has a huge mouth that can blow wind and shout loudly.
• 10th and Youngest Brother - Can cry a river, heal any sicknesses if he cries on people.

Adaptation

The story has been adapted countless times in Asian movies and TV series most notably in China

China

Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...

 and Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...

.

• Ten Brothers, 1959 film
• Ten Brothers vs the Sea Monster (十兄弟怒海除魔), 1960 film
• Ten Brothers, 1985 series by ATV
• Ten Brothers, 1995 film
• Ten Brothers, 2007 series by TVB

External links

• Ten Brothers at Library thinkquest