Sun Wukong in Chinese Mythology: Origin Story, Powers, Abilities, & Importance

Sun Wukong, also known as the Monkey King, is a legendary figure in Chinese mythology and a prominent character in the classic Chinese novel “Journey to the West” written by Wu Cheng’en during the Ming dynasty.

Origin

According to “Journey to the West,” Sun Wukong was born from a magical stone atop the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit. The stone was nourished by the heavens and earth and gained the power to give birth to a stone egg. From this stone egg, Sun Wukong emerged. Being born from this magical stone granted him incredible strength and powers.

Powers and Abilities

Sun Wukong possesses superhuman strength and speed, and is able to cover 54,000 kilometers in one somersault. He’s incredibly intelligent and a skilled fighter, having learned the way of Tao, various magical arts, and the 72 transformations, allowing him to change into almost any form.

Sun Wukong also possesses a magical staff, Ruyi Jingu Bang, which can change its size, multiply itself, and fight according to the will of its master. This weapon was originally used by the Dragon King of the Eastern Seas to measure the depth of the sea and Sun Wukong won it from him.

Also, it was believed that the trickster god is protected by a suit of heavenly armor he won from the Dragon Kings, making him even more formidable in combat.

Did you know…?

It was believed that Sun Wukong’s staff was made of a kind of black iron used by Yu the Great, a legendary ruler in ancient China. This point further signifies Sun Wukong’s connection to immortality and legendary figures.

Rebellion against Heaven

Sun Wukong’s rebellious nature led him to proclaim himself the “Great Sage, Equal of Heaven,” and he even invaded Heaven, fighting against the celestial army and causing havoc. He proved so powerful that the Jade Emperor, ruler of the heavens, requested Buddha’s help to subdue him. The Buddha trapped Sun Wukong under a mountain, where he remained imprisoned for 500 years.

Journey to the West

In “Journey to the West,” the Buddhist monk Tang Sanzang releases Sun Wukong from his imprisonment under the mountain, and the Monkey King becomes Tang Sanzang’s disciple and protector on his journey to retrieve Buddhist sutras from India. The two are accompanied by Sha Wujing and Zhu Bajie as well as the White Dragon Horse. Along the way, Sun Wukong uses his powers to protect the monk from various monsters and demons.

The Monkey King’s imprisonment was ended when a monk released him. Sun Wukong then proceeded to accompany the monk on a journey to retrieve Buddhist sutras from India.

Significance

Sun Wukong is a complex character, embodying both irreverence and devotion, trickery and loyalty, and brutishness and wisdom. He is often seen as a symbol of resistance against the established order. His image has remained influential in Chinese popular culture and continues to be a popular figure in literature, film, and animation.

In essence, Sun Wukong is a complex character whose symbolic meanings can vary greatly depending on the context and interpretation.

The four heroes and the White Dragon Horse of Journey to the West, Sun Wukong on the second from the left. Image: The golden statues at the Rua Yai City Pillar Shrine in Suphan Buri, Thailand