I’m told it’s actually a Buddhist hand symbol that warns of strife and danger, so it’s a threat display.
Point upwards as a general warning, point it at someone as a threat.
So in Mulan’s case the context should be that she doesn’t want to hurt her opponent, but she will if they attack. I don’t remember this moment so I’m not sure if the film makers knew this. Pretty sure the Star Wars peeps didn’t, but Obi Wan was pretty bad at the “diplomats and peacemakers” part of being a Jedi so maybe they did.
Supposedly, not a Buddhist though, that could all be very wrong, but it certainly doesn’t offer any martial advantage.
I’m told it’s actually a Buddhist hand symbol that warns of strife and danger, so it’s a threat display.
Point upwards as a general warning, point it at someone as a threat.
So in Mulan’s case the context should be that she doesn’t want to hurt her opponent, but she will if they attack. I don’t remember this moment so I’m not sure if the film makers knew this. Pretty sure the Star Wars peeps didn’t, but Obi Wan was pretty bad at the “diplomats and peacemakers” part of being a Jedi so maybe they did.
Supposedly, not a Buddhist though, that could all be very wrong, but it certainly doesn’t offer any martial advantage.