In Journey to the West, the first demon killed by Sun Wukong (the Monkey King) is the Monster King of Calamity(or Monstrous King of Havoc). This episode carries profound symbolic meaning rooted in Taoist cosmology.
Taoist Symbolism of Monstrous King of Havoc
The demon dwells in the Water Organ Cave of the Five Elements on Mount Kan Yuan, north of the Water Curtain Cave.
Hearing this, Wukong was filled with anger. “What sort of a monster is this,” he cried, “that behaves in such a lawless manner? Tell me in detail and I will find him to exact vengeance.”
“Be informed, Great King,” the monkeys said, kowtowing, “that the fellow calls himself the Monstrous King of Havoc, and he lives north of here.”
— Journey to the West, Chapter 2
This is, in the Three Regions, the Mount of Northern Spring,
The Water-Belly Cave, nourished by the Five Phases.
— Journey to the West, Chapter 2
- The mountain Kan Yuan signifies the Kan Trigram, also known as Water Trigram.
- The direction of element Water is North,
- In traditional Chinese medicine, the Kidney organ corresponds to the Kan Trigram(Water Trigram). This also explains why the demon dwells in the Water Organ Cave(or Water-Belly Cave).
The color correspond to Water is Black, this explains why the monster is clad entirely in black.
Quickly opening wide his eyes to take a look, Wukong saw that the Monstrous King
Wore on his head a black gold helmet
Which gleamed in the sun;
And on his body a dark silk robe
Which swayed in the wind;
Lower he had on a black iron vest
Tied tightly with leather straps.— Journey to the West, Chapter 2
In Taoist and medical theory, the Kidneys govern essence (jing) and are associated with lust and base desires. By slaying this demon, Wukong symbolically purges his own sensual cravings, marking the first step in his spiritual refinement.
This episode sets the stage for the novel’s central theme: spiritual cultivation requires confronting and conquering the self.
Later, Wukong’s battles against the Six Bandits and White Bone Demon further explore this theme, each demon representing a specific vice or delusion.
The slaying of the Monstrous King of Havoc encapsulates Journey to the West’s genius: blending action-packed folklore with profound philosophical allegory.
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