Where Did Cinderella Come from Anyway?

One of the most beloved fairy tales of all time, Cinderella still captures the hearts and imaginations of young women world wide. The theme of Cinderella is probably one of the most well known and widely adapted stories in history, as well as being one of the oldest. The story of Cinderella can trace its roots back almost 2000 years. One of the earliest known recorded versions comes from ancient China from around the 9th century AD, though earlier oral versions are known to have existed. According to one source, there are over 1500 versions of this timeless tale.

Cinderella is known through out the world among many different cultures, though her name may be different, the elements of the story remain essentially the same. She is always a young girl persecuted by an adoptive family after the loss of her mother. The father in the story is usually absent or rather neglectful, blind to her plight and ignorant of her circumstances. The Cinderella character is always depicted as possessing all the desired qualities in a woman, selfishness, faithfulness, loyalty, duty, honor, meekness and modesty as well as physical beauty. She is the representation of all the morals that society has timelessly prized and valued in women, thus she is rewarded for her goodness in the end with great riches and happiness. Most versions recount of a guardian or protector that helps her receive her just rewards while punishing the unsavory behaviors of her adoptive family. It is a tale of persecution and perseverance.

The most well known adaptation known in the modern world comes from the 17th century written version of Charles Perrault. This version includes the fairy godmother, pumpkin, glass slipper and other symbols with which most of us are familiar. Other famous versions include those of The Brothers Grimm and of course the ever popular Disney version, which is modified for telling to children.

Many of the versions include rather gruesome details. One version depicts the evil stepsisters as having their eyes pecked out by birds as punishment for their crimes against Cinderella. Many versions end with the stepsisters and even the stepmother being put to death by the "Prince Charming" of the story as vengeance for having treated the heroine so wrongly. Other versions include gory descriptions of the evil stepsisters mutilating themselves in order to mislead the heroines' savior and deny her escape from her circumstances. All versions depict the heroine as being forced into the servitude of her adoptive family and meekly accepting her circumstances while not becoming bitter or resentful.

Though the story has changed throughout the centuries, the core of the story remains intact and has inspired generations of storytellers, poets, artists alike. Little girls around the world have been stirred by the tale to achieve their hearts desires and has it has led women everywhere to believe in themselves.