Sun Wukong, otherwise known as the Monkey King, is a legendary figure from Chinese mythology that remains well known in modern popular culture. Possessing great strength and many abilities, the Monkey King has a fascinating story of power, rebellion against the heavens and redemption at the hands of simple monk. So who was Sun Wukong, and what was his story? Let’s find out together.
In ancient times, a magical rock rested on top of Mount Huagou. One day, a stiff breeze blew upon the rock and caused a fully formed monkey to burst forth from its stone face. Despite having just been born, the young monkey was already able to walk and speak.
When Sun Wukong opened his eyes, golden beams of light shot forth from his pupils, piercing the clouds and startling the Jade Emperor. When the Jade Emperor looked for the source of the strange light, all he could see was a baby monkey. Thinking that the light could not possibly emanate from such a source, the Jade Emperor dismissed the incident from his mind. As he began exploring the forest, Sun Wukong discovered other monkeys and decided to live with them.
One day the group was relaxing near a waterfall when they decided to play a game. Whoever was brave enough to jump through the falls and find the stream’s source would be named King of the Monkeys. Sun Wukong immediately leapt through the waterfall and travelled up the stream to find its source. His mission was successful, and he returned to declare himself king. With the support of the forest monkeys, Sun Wukong quickly established himself as a powerful forest demon that would go on to battle the Dragon King and other sea demons.
His exploits earned him a number of powerful weapons, including his signature gold chainmail shirt, phoenix cap, cloud-walking boots, and magical eight ton staff. When the time came for Yan Wang and the Kings of hell to collect Wukong’s soul, Wukong was ready. He tricked Yan Wang into allowing him to return to earth without undergoing reincarnation.
Before leaving hell, Wukong managed to erase his and every other forest monkey’s name from the Book of Life and Death. Troubled that the balance of life was being upset by a mere monkey, Yan Wang appealed to the Jade Emperor for assistance. Upon hearing about the petulant demon of Mount Huaguo, the Jade Emperor felt the best way to subdue Wukong was to let him live in Heaven with the other gods so that he would feel a sense of importance. He issued an invitation to Wukong, who eagerly accepted.
After saying goodbye to his friends, the Monkey King set off for the Jade Palace. Once he got there, however, Sun Wukong discovered he was assigned to the lowest task in all of Heaven: guarding the Jade Emperor’s horses. He quickly realized that because he was a monkey, the other gods would never see him as a peer. In hopes of finding a way to prove himself an equal, the Monkey King became obsessed with the idea of immortality and devoted himself to the pursuit of everlasting life.
Related: The story of Medusa, the betrayed priestess of Greek Mythology.
When the Jade Emperor encouraged him to take up other, more fruitful pursuits, Wukong scorned him. One day, the Jade Emperor held a party to celebrate his wife, Xiwangmu. Having been unknowingly excluded from the party, Wukong decided to drop by and was laughed out of the hall by the other gods. Hurt by the actions of his peers, Wukong declared himself to be Qítiān Dàshèng or the “Great Sage Equal to Heaven.” According to Wikipedia, he also made an enormous banner to taunt the Emperor.
The Jade Emperor sent a battalion of soldiers to arrest Wukong for his insolence, but they proved to be no match for him. After defeating the last solder, the Monkey King shouted victoriously, “Remember my name, Great Sage Equal to Heaven, Sun Wukong!” The Monkey King’s victory forced the Jade Emperor to acknowledge his power. In recognition of his talent, the Jade Emperor promoted him to guard Xiwangmu’s Peaches of Immortality.
This was not enough for the Monkey King, however, who truly believed that he was the Jade Emperor’s equal. Viewing this promotion as yet another insult, Wukong decided that enough was enough. In a final act of defiance, Wukong ate all of the peaches in the garden. The Jade Emperor was furious, and sent two battalions after the Monkey King. Once again, however, Wukong defeated them all.
Out of options, the Jade Emperor told Buddha what had happened and begged him to intervene. Buddha immediately banished Wukong from Heaven and pinned him underneath a mountain so that he could reflect on his actions. For 500 years, Wukong lay immobilized beneath the weight of Buddha’s mountain. Eventually, a traveling monk named Tang Sanzang found the Monkey King and offered to release him on the condition that he would repent and become the monk’s disciple.
At first the Monkey King rejected the monk’s offer. Sun Wukong would play servant to no one, least of all, a human. After Tang started to walk away, however, Wukong quickly changed his mind. He would gladly serve the monk in exchange for his release. Before Tang freed Wukong, the goddess of mercy Guanyin gave the monk a magical band that granted him control over the Monkey King. After being freed from the weight of the mountain, Sun Wukong joined Tang’s other demonic traveling companions.
Grateful to be released from his imprisonment, Sun Wukong served Tang faithfully during their journey to India and cheerfully battled demons whenever the need arose. Through his noble deeds and dedication to Tang’s teachings, Sun Wukong eventually achieved enlightenment and put an end to his angry, greedy and envious tendencies.
His story was one of misunderstood power, jealousy and bitterness but also one of redemption and ultimately, an inner peace.
