Do the immortals in Journey to the West eat dragons?

In traditional Chinese culture, dragons are revered as divine beings symbolizing authority and cosmic power.

In Journey to the West, dragon kings—such as the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas—play significant roles, governing waters, controlling rainfall, and aiding in drought relief. However, the novel ambiguously hints at dragons being part of celestial banquets, raising the question: Do heavenly immortals actually consume dragons?

A table inlaid with five-color gold,
And a green jade pot of a thousand flowers.
On the tables were dragon livers and phoenix marrow,
Bear paws and the lips of apes.
Most tempting was every one of the hundred delicacies,
And most succulent the hue of every kind of fruit and food.

— Journey to the West, Chapter 5

Tathāgata was asked to be seated high on the Numinous Terrace of Seven Treasures, and the rest of the deities were then seated according to rank and age before a banquet of dragon livers, phoenix marrow, juices of jade, and immortal peaches.

— Journey to the West, Chapter 7

The answer, within the novel’s framework, is no. While phrases like “dragon liver and phoenix marrow” appear, they are metaphorical expressions for rare and luxurious delicacies, not literal dishes.

Origin of the Phrase “Dragon Liver and Phoenix Marrow”

• This idiom originates from Su Shi’s (苏轼) Biography of Jiang Yaozhu (《江瑶柱传》) during the Song Dynasty, symbolizing extravagant, mythical foods.
• In the Ming Dynasty text Qun Shu Shi Tuo (《群书拾唾》), “dragon liver” refers to horse liver, and “phoenix marrow” denotes golden pheasant brain, debunking literal interpretations.

Symbolism in Journey to the West

The novel uses such terms to:

• Highlight Heavenly Opulence: Emphasize the celestial realm’s otherworldly splendor.
• Satirize Human Ambition: Contrast mortal greed for power/wealth with the immortals’ detached purity.
• Reflect Cultural Wordplay: Leverage poetic language rooted in Chinese literary tradition.

Despite the metaphor, dragon kings in Journey to the West are respected deities, not prey. For example:

• The Dragon King of the East Sea gifts Sun Wukong his iconic weapon, the Ruyi Jingu Bang (Golden-Hooped Rod).
• Dragon kings frequently aid Tang Sanzang’s pilgrimage, showcasing their divine status.

Thus, while the phrase “dragon liver” evokes celestial extravagance, the novel upholds dragons’ sacred role, aligning with traditional reverence for these mythical beings.