In Journey to the West, the names and titles of the characters often carry specific symbolic meanings.
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[Journey to the West]Monkey of the Mind
The journey of the Tang Monk and his disciples is, in essence, an inward pilgrimage. Buddhist and Taoist perspectives play a vital role in shaping this spiritual allegory.
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How do they tell time at night in Journey to the West?
The Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches were a system used in ancient China to mark years, months, days, and hours. In Journey to the West, the universe is divided into 12 cyclical periods, each named after the Earthly Branches. Similarly, ancient Chinese divided the day into 12 segments, also named after these branches. For example, master Subhuti taught Sun Wukong the path to immortality at midnight, called Zi hour, which spans 11 PM to 1 AM.
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How did Wukong measure time without clocks?
In Journey to the West, how did the Monkey King measure time on Lingtai Fangcun Mountain without clocks or calendars?
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Versions and Alternative Titles of Journey to the West
Journey to the West (Xiyouji) is a literary masterpiece rooted in the historical pilgrimage of the Tang Dynasty monk Xuanzang (602–664 CE) to India in search of Buddhist scriptures. Over centuries of layered cultural creation, it absorbed diverse influences—myths, folklore, religious teachings, and performative arts—to evolve into a literary classic blending adventurous storytelling with philosophical depth.
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[Journey to the West]The Blessed Land and Cave Heaven
In Journey to the West, the place where Sun Wukong practices is described as:
“The Blessed Land of the Mountain of Flowers and Fruits, where the Cave Heaven hides the Water Curtain.”
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[Journey to the West]Awakening to Emptiness vs Wukong
After bestowing the name “Wukong” (悟空, “Awakened to Emptiness”) upon the Monkey King, Master Subhuti declared the following words, which carry profound Taoist and Buddhist connotations:
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