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.
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[Journey to the West]Historical Prototype of King of the Black Rooster Kingdom
The Kingdom of Black Rooster does not appear in any real historical records and is a fictional nation created by the author of Journey to the West. However, the story and certain plot elements in the Black Rooster Kingdom evoke associations with the Liang Dynasty during Emperor Wu’s reign.
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Has the Monkey King ever eaten human flesh?
In Journey to the West, the question of whether Sun Wukong (the Monkey King) consumes human flesh is a topic of debate. While many demons, including Tang Sanzang’s disciples Zhu Bajie (Pigsy) and Sha Wujing (Sandy), have cannibalistic pasts, Wukong’s relationship with human flesh is more complex and symbolic.
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[Journey to the West]Conflict and Reconciliation of Religions from Zhen Yuanzi’s Perspective
In traditional Chinese culture, the conflict and fusion between Buddhism and Taoism underwent a prolonged historical process, a phenomenon vividly expressed and embodied in Journey to the West.
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The Huangting Jing in Journey to the West
In the first chapter of Journey to the West, Sun Wukong encounters a woodcutter singing verses from the Huangting Jing (Yellow Court Canon), a foundational Taoist text.
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Immortals at Play: Chess and Time in Journey to the West
In Journey to the West, Sun Wukong encounters a woodcutter who guides him to seek a master and learn immortality. This woodcutter’s role mirrors an ancient Chinese legend, weaving Taoist themes of timelessness and illusion into the narrative.
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