Analysis of East Asian Tales of Metamorphosis Through Fromm’s Framework of Human Needs From the Perspective of Plastic Surgery

This study examines East Asian metamorphosis tales through Erich Fromm’s framework of human needs—relatedness, transcendence, rootedness, identity, and a frame of orientation—and their parallels with motivations for plastic surgery. Six tales featuring female protagonists from China, Japan, and Korea, including Madam White Snake , The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl , The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter , The Crane Wife , The Tale of Sim Cheong , and The Fox Maiden , were analyzed. These narratives reflect psychological desires for connection, self-improvement, and societal acceptance while grappling with identity conflicts and moral dilemmas. For instance, Bai Suzhen in Madam White Snake strives for human love yet faces tensions between her spiritual origins and her role as a devoted wife. Similarly, Princess Kaguya in The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter embodies the struggle between celestial duties and earthly bonds, reflecting impermanence and dual identity. These tales highlight universal themes of sacrifice, dual identities, and the quest for transcendence, grounded in East Asian cultural values like Confucian filial piety, Buddhist harmony, and Daoist balance. Plastic surgery mirrors these metamorphoses as a response to deep-seated human needs. It offers not only physical transformation but also psychological healing, fostering relatedness, reshaping identity, and symbolizing transcendence through self-improvement. In addition, it reflects cultural ideals of beauty, particularly in East Asia, where symmetry, fairness, and harmony are emphasized. By exploring the intersection of folklore and plastic surgery, this study underscores shared human struggles with identity, transformation, and societal norms, offering insights into beauty, ethics, and the sociology of change.