[Journey to the West]Why is the Monkey King surnamed Sun?

The Monkey King is given the name Sun Wukong (孙悟空 or 孫悟空 in Chinese) by his first master, Subhuti. But why the surname Sun?

In ancient Chinese, “monkey” is called húsūn (猢狲). The characters 胡 (Hú) and 孙 (Sūn) are both common Chinese surnames. However:

• 胡 (Hú) combines 古 (gǔ, meaning “old”) and 月 (yuè, “moon”). “Old” and “moon” symbolize Yin energy—femininity, passivity, darkness, and receptivity. In the I Ching (Book of Changes), this represents a state of “old Yin” (老阴), which is stagnant and unable to nurture growth. Subhuti thus rejected “Hu” for the Monkey King.
• 孙 (Sūn), meaning “grandchild,” is composed of 子 (zǐ, “child”) and 系 (xì, “connection” or “lineage”). The ancient form of 系 resembles 婴 (yīng, “infant”) and 细 (xì, “fine” or “delicate”), symbolizing Shao Yang (少阳)—masculine energy, activity, light, and expansion in the I Ching. Shao Yang, representing vitality and growth, aligns better with the youthful, dynamic nature of the Monkey King.

Deeper Symbolism:

The philosopher Laozi, in the Tao Te Ching, praised infants as embodiments of simplicity, purity, and naturalness. Infants lack desires, ego, and self-consciousness, effortlessly harmonizing with the world—mirroring the Taoist ideal of wu wei (无为, “effortless action”). By naming him Sun (linked to “infant” symbolism), Subhuti hints at the Monkey King’s potential for spiritual growth: shedding worldly cravings to return to a state of innate harmony, much like a child.

Thus, the surname Sun merges cosmic philosophy (Yin-Yang balance) with Taoist ideals, reflecting both the character’s energetic nature and his destined path toward enlightenment.

Name and Titles of the Monkey King

The name, surname and titles of the Monkey King hold profound symbolic meanings.

Monkey King’s titles:

The Monkey King has several titles, like the “Great King”, “Monkey King”, “Handsome Monkey King”, “BanHorsePlague”, “Great Sage”, and “The Great Sage, Equal to Heaven.”

Some of his titles highlight his rebellious spirit, some divine status, and some a mockery of his arrogance.

Monkey King’s name:

Wukong, given by his Taoist master, means “awakening to emptiness,” emphasizing Buddhist philosophy on transcending worldly illusions. This naming tradition blends Taoist, Buddhist, and literary themes, enriching the story’s cultural layers. Find more about the Wukong here.