Nie Huaisang
Character | |
---|---|
Name: | 聂怀桑 – Niè Huáisāng |
Occupation: | Sect Leader of the Nie clan of Qinghe |
Relationships: | Nie Mingjue (Older brother) |
Fandom: | Mo Dao Zu Shi |
Other: | Birthday: May 20 |
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Nie Huaisang also known as "The Headshaker" (in Chinese "一问三不知", meaning "one question, three don't knows") or Good-For-Nothing is a character in the novel Mo Dao Zu Shi and its adaptations. He was born into a prominent clan and despite being described as smart, he often shows little disposition to cultivation or training and prefers to dedicate himself to arts and crafts, such as calligraphy or painting, or leisurely activities. Following the death of his brother Nie Mingjue, Nie Huaisang found himself unexpectedly thrust into a leadership role within the sect, despite his lack of skills for the role. With him in charge, other characters remain convinced that the prestige of the Nie clan of Quinhe is gone for good.
Fandom
Nie Huaisang's ambiguous characterization attracts some interest from fans. The novel drops hints that he might not be as unassuming as he presents himself to be, putting a big question mark around his true capabilities, motivations and significance within the story. Despite these implications, the narrative refrains from definitively confirming or refuting it, leaving ample room for speculation and discussion.
Ships
- Jiang Cheng/Nie Huaisang (SangCheng)
- Lan Xichen/Nie Huaisang (XiSang)
- Nie Huaisang/Nie Mingjue (Niecest)
- Nie Huaisang/Wen Ning (NingSang)
- Mo Xuanyu/Nie Huaisang (YuSang, SangYu)
- Sang Yu Week 2019 (June 3 to June 9)
- SangYu Summer 2019
- Jin Guangyao/Nie Huaisang (SangYao)
Common Tropes
- Character Study: Nie Huaisang is known for his intricate plans to seek revenge. This aspect of his character has led to a big number of character study fanfiction that delve deep into the mechanisms behind his schemes, the reasoning behind his plans, and the persona of "the Headshaker."
- Bird symbology: In the book, Wei Wuxian says "the mantis stalks the cicada unaware of the oriole behind". The oriole (a type of bird) refers to Nie Huaisang. In "The Untamed" he also brings a canary to class in one episode and is mentioned to have songbird catching as hobby. He's frequently drawn or written feeding birds, wild or caged, listening to the singing of birds or drawing birds.
- Badass: The book hints several times that mild-mannered people are the ones that accumulate more resentment. Having been portrayed as mild-mannered and useless through most of the story, he is revealed later to be more competent than shown. As of August 2023, there are 128 works on AO3 tagged as BAMF Niè Huáisāng
- Mastermind: Stemming from the fact that many people were unknowingly pawns to his plans. As of August 2023, there are 44 works on AO3 tagged as Mastermind Niè Huáisāng
- Matchmaker: He is also depicted plotting to get two characters together, usually Wangxian but also Nieyao or others)
- Fans: It is uncommon to see fanarts of him where he doesn't have a fan in his hand. He also fiddles with them often in fanfiction, makes them himself or uses them to cover his face.
- Erotica: During the Cloud Recesses days he is seen having an interest in erotic illustration books. In some fanworks, he writes erotic stories himself, or illustrates them, or collects them.
Example Fanworks
Fanfiction
- Revealing That You Can't Forget Me by phnelt on AO3. Post-canon gen fic in which Nie Huaisang writes erotica. (2021-03-14)
- the final cut by Wildehack on AO3. Untamed-canon, Nie Huaisang POV, Nie Huaisang/Mo Xuanyu. (2020-07-24)
- The Lost Cause by KouriArashi on AO3. Nie Huaisang and Jin Guangyao team up to get rid of Jin Guanshan. (2020-03-15)
- The Way of the Nie by Fortune_Maiden on AO3. Gen slice of Life drabbles about Nie Huaisang, Nie Mingjue and Nie Zonghui (2024-02-03)
Fanart
- Ace Attorney Nie Huaisang sprite, Archived version by lazycranberrydoodles on tumblr (May 17, 2023)
- nie huaisang supremacy🙏, Archived version by swagvo1d on tumblr (December 21, 2022)
- when you catch him, you can kill him; but first, you must catch him, Archived version by hawberries on tumblr (February 5, 2021)
- That Bitch!, Archived version by theresa-draws on tumblr (Mar 13, 2020)
- Old nhs doodles, Archived version by sharowolet on tumblr (Mar 13, 2020)
- fancomic crossover with Hamilton, Archived version by littlesmartart on tumblr (Dec 1, 2020)
- Nie Brothers, Archived version by aleung-art on tumblr (21st Sep 2020)
- Commission: Nie Huaisang 🌸, Archived version by sleepychengzi on tumblr (Jun 6, 2020)
- Nie Huaisang, Archived version by ginsays on twitter (Feb 27, 2021)
- First redraw of the year, Archived version by _itami_art on twitter (Jan 13, 2023)
- Day 14: cr!era, Archived version by petitemafia1 on twitter (Oct 16, 2022)
- let's celebrate #niehuaisang's birthday by remembering that the only person left who cares about him is himself /o/, Archived version by Jau41996146 on twitter (May 20, 2022)
- BE GAY, DO CRIME!!, Archived version by lizzyAudaz_Art on twitter (May 8, 2022)
- Sundays are for clever little head-shakers <;, Archived version by WisesnailArt on twitter (Oct 3, 2021)
- 聶監督🥺, Archived version by takara_yuto on twitter (Jul 30, 2022)
- Nie-gongzi has whole Qinghe wrapped around his little finger by ANGERYBLRB on twitter (Feb 20, 2021)
Doujinshi
- 今日も2人はすれ違い (Kyō mo 2-ri wa surechigai) by アカマキ (March 16, 2024)
Cosplay
Vids
- No body, no crime by luckydicekirby - Song: No body, no crime by Taylor Swift (Dec 13, 2020)
- Shake it off by Rion Wynter -- Song: Shake it off by Taylor Swift (Dec 9, 2020)
- Do it like Nie Huaisang by CuteSmiles83
- Nie 'Headshaker' Huaisang by bluesaekie (Jul 27, 2020)
Meta
- Nie Huaisang and masculinity by superborb (Dec 4, 2020)
- Let's talk about Nie Huaisang by TheAlte111 (Dec 21, 2019)
Memes
- That's just, like, your opinion, da-ge by thatswhatsushesaid (June 15, 2023)
- text post meme nie huaisang edition by aphel1on (August 26, 2023)
Fannish Links
- Niè Huáisāng character tag and Niè Huáisāng-centric additional tag on AO3
- 聂怀桑 tag on Weibo
- 聂怀桑 tag and Nie Huaisang tag on Tumblr
- 聂怀桑 tag on Pixiv