Who truly wields the supreme weapon in Journey to the West?

People may have different opinions when determining the most powerful weapon in Journey to the West. Yet undoubtedly it is Lord Laozi whose arsenal reigns supreme.

The Unrivaled Arsenal of Lord Laozi

Lord Laozi possesses the greatest collection of magical artifacts in the narrative. His treasures include the Diamond Bangle (also known as Diamond Band or Diamond Snare), Plantain Fan, Purple Gold Red Gourd, Golden Binding Rope, Vase of Pure White Jade (Jade Vase), Seven-Star Sword, Sun Wukong’s Compliant Golden-Hooped Rod, and Zhu Bajie’s Rake. Essentially, every ordinary object in his possession is a potent relic.

Lord Laozi declared: “The gourd holds my elixirs, the vase stores my water, the sword subdues demons, the fan kindles my furnace flames, and the rope is my sash.”

— Journey to the West, Chapter 35

The Contenders: Diamond Bangle vs. Plantain Fan

What, then, is Lord Laozi’s ultimate weapon? Some argue for the Diamond Bangle, his personal defensive treasure. This artifact morphs at will, repels water and fire, and ensnares all weapons. When wielded by the Green Bull Spirit, it rendered heaven’s forces helpless.

As Laozi himself warned:

“My Diamond Bangle, tempered since my youth, accompanied me through the Hangu Pass while converting the barbarians. No weapon, water, or fire can touch it. Had the thief stolen my Plantain Fan also, even I could not have subdued him.”

— Journey to the West, Chapter 52

This raises a critical revelation: The Plantain Fan could counter the Diamond Bangle.

The Decisive Revelation

The climactic confrontation proves the fan’s supremacy:

Lord Laozi chanted a spell and waved the fan once. The demon hurled the bangle but failed to capture the fan — Laozi caught it mid-air. With a second wave, the monster’s strength sapped and sinews numbed, reverting to its true form: a green bull. Laozi blew immortal breath onto the bangle, pierced the bull’s nose, tied it with his sash, and led the beast away.

— Journey to the West, Chapter 52

This scene confirms the Plantain Fan’s unparalleled might: one swing neutralized the invincible bangle; a second subdued the primordial demon. Thus, the fan — not the bangle — stands as Lord Laozi’s most formidable instrument of power.