We know that Journey to the West is a fictional work based on the historical 7th-century pilgrimage of the Buddhist monk Xuanzang to India. Xuanzang is portrayed as the monk Tang Sanzang, while his disciples draw inspiration from historical figures and myths.
There are several theories about the prototype of Sun Wukong:
- Shi Pantuo: A foreign monk and the last follower of Tang Sanzang during the pilgrimage.
- Hanuman: The monkey deity from the Indian epic Ramayana. A central figure in Hindu mythology, Hanuman shares traits like supernatural strength with Wukong, though their stories and cultural contexts differ significantly.
- Wuzhiqi: A Chinese folk water deity resembling a monkey. He has “fiery golden eyes” akin to Wukong, dwells in the same location (Flower and Fruit Mountain), and was imprisoned under a mountain—though punished by Yu the Great, a legendary ancient Chinese king, rather than Buddha.
Historical Connection
During the Tang Dynasty, a real Buddhist monk named Wukong (secular name: Che Fengchao) traveled west to India to retrieve Buddhist scriptures. Many scholars believe this historical Wukong inspired the deified Monkey King in Journey to the West.
Thus, Sun Wukong’s character merges Chinese folklore, cross-cultural influences (like Hanuman), and historical figures, reflecting the rich tapestry of myths and legends woven into his iconic role.
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