The term “Sworn Brotherhood of Eight Bows” refers to an oath-bound fraternal bond in Chinese culture, signifying an exceptionally close, brotherly relationship. Rooted in ancient traditions, such sworn alliances were considered sacred and lifelong commitments.
Historical Origins
The idiom originates from Shao Bowen’s Record of Observations (《邵氏闻见录》) during the Song Dynasty, which documented the practice of bowing eight times to honor familial elders. Over time, it evolved to symbolize eight archetypal bonds of deep friendship:
- Guan-Bao Friendship (管鲍之交): Loyalty between statesmen.
- Zhiyin Friendship (知音之交): Soulmates who understand each other deeply.
- Neck-Cutting Friendship (刎颈之交): Willingness to die for one another.
- Life-Sacrificing Friendship (舍命之交): Sacrificing one’s life for a friend.
- Glue-and-Paint Friendship (胶漆之交): Inseparable like adhesive.
- Chicken-and-Rice Friendship (鸡黍之交): Hospitality and mutual care.
- Age-Forgotten Friendship (忘年之交): Bond transcending age gaps.
- Life-and-Death Friendship (生死之交): Companionship through all trials.
Sworn Brotherhood in Journey to the West
The novel features several sworn brotherhoods, though they deviate from historical rituals:
Sun Wukong and the Bull Demon King
Their alliance, forged in Wukong’s rebellious youth, later dissolves into rivalry over the Banana-Scale Fan, symbolizing the fragility of earthly bonds.
Emperor Taizong and Tang Sanzang
Their symbolic brotherhood (sealed with four bows, not eight) launches the pilgrimage, blending Confucian loyalty with Buddhist duty.
Not one of the officials disagreed with the emperor, who then asked in the temple, “Who is willing to accept our commission to seek scriptures from Buddha in the Western Heaven?” Hardly had he finished speaking when the Master of the Law stepped from the side and saluted him, saying, “Though your poor monk has no talents, he is ready to perform the service of a dog and a horse. I shall seek these true scriptures on behalf of Your Majesty, that the empire of our king may be firm and everlasting.” Highly pleased, the Tang emperor went forward to raise up the monk with his royal hands, saying, “If the Master is willing to express his loyalty this way, undaunted by the great distance or by the journey over mountains and streams, we are willing to become bond brothers with you.” Xuanzang touched his forehead to the ground to express his gratitude. Being indeed a righteous man, the Tang emperor went at once before Buddha’s image in the temple and bowed to Xuanzang four times, addressing him as “our brother and holy monk.”
Deeply moved, Xuanzang said, “Your Majesty, what ability and what virtue does your poor monk possess that he should merit such affection from your Heavenly Grace? I shall not spare myself in this journey, but I shall proceed with all diligence until I reach the Western Heaven. If I do not attain my goal, or the true scriptures, I shall not return to our land even if I have to die.”
— Journey to the West, Chapter 12
Note that, this plot in the novel contrasts with history, where Xuanzang’s journey was initially unauthorized. In reality, the Tang Dynasty monk Xuanzang formed a sworn brotherhood not with Emperor Taizong, but with King Qu Wentai of the Central Asian kingdom Gaochang. See more details about the sworn brotherhood between Xuanzang and the king.
Sun Wukong and Zhenyuanzi
The Monkey King’s forced brotherhood with the Earth Immortal after uprooting his Ginseng Tree highlights reconciliation through shared spiritual goals.
Ritual Anachronism
Despite the term “Eight Bows,” historical Ming Dynasty protocols required only four bows for sworn oaths. This discrepancy reflects the novel’s mythologized portrayal of tradition:
When Sun Wukong is born, he bows to the four cardinal directions, acknowledging heaven and earth as his “parents.”
His formal bowing to Tang Sanzang as his master also follows the four-bow custom, emphasizing hierarchical devotion over fraternal equality.
Ritual vs transcendence in friendship
The Bull Demon King’s betrayal underscores the novel’s theme—true brotherhood lies not in oaths but in shared virtue. Wukong’s eventual enlightenment transcends such mortal bonds, aligning with the Buddhist ideal of universal compassion.
Wukong’s broken oath with the Bull Demon King critiques worldly ambition, while his bond with Zhenyuanzi models Buddhist-Taoist harmony.
While Journey to the West romanticizes sworn brotherhoods, it ultimately teaches that spiritual kinship, forged through trials and wisdom, outlasts even the most solemn rituals.
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