| Sun Wukong | |
|---|---|
 | |
|
Other Names |
Sun Wukong, Son Goku, Sonogong, Sun Ngō͘-Khong, Tôn Ngộ Không, Sung Ghokong/Sung Gokhong , Sun Ngokong, Wu Khone, Sun Gokong, Syun Ng-hung |
|
First Appearance |
Journey to the West |
|
Created by |
Nameless oral storytellers of the Song Dynasty |
Origin[]
Sun Wukong, also known as the Monkey King, is a main character in the Chinese classical novel Journey to the West. Sun Wukong is also found in many later stories and adaptations. In the novel, he is a monkey born from a stone who acquires supernatural powers through Taoist practices.
Sun Wukong was once a member of the Jade Emperor’s court but was thrown out of heaven and pinned underneath a mountain for 500 years by the Buddha, for defying the Emperor’s authority. After repenting and accompanying the Tripitaka along with his companions Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing on a journey to retrieve Buddhist sutras from India, Wukong achieves Buddhahood and is accepted back into the Jade Emperor’s court.
Sun Wukong encountered many gods and demons on his Journey into the West including the Jade Rabbit, Princess Iron Fan, and Bull Demon King.
Notes[]
- Journey to the West inspired Akira Toriyama to create the manga series Dragon Ball; Son Goku, the main character, is inspired by Sun Wukong himself.
- The Pokemon Infernape, originally from Pokemon Diamond and Pearl, is based on Sun Wukong.