| White Dragon Horse | |
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 The four heroes of Journey to the West, Tang Sanzang on the second from the left, riding on the White Dragon Horse. Painted decoration in the Long Corridor at the Summer Palace in Beijing, China | |
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Other Names |
Ao Lie, Bai Long Ma, |
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First Appearance |
Journey into the West |
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Created by |
Unknown |
Origin[]
In Journey to the West, the Bai Longma is a dragon prince who is the third son of the Dragon King of the West Sea. He once accidentally set a fire that destroyed a pearl that was a gift from the Jade Emperor. He was about to be executed for committing this offense when Guanyin appeared and pleaded for his life. The dragon prince was spared from death and banished to Yingchou Stream in Shepan Mountain, on the instruction to wait there for a monk Guanyin is to send on a pilgrimage to the Buddha.
When Tang Sanzang is crossing the stream, the prince appears in the form of a gigantic white dragon and swallows Tang's white horse in one gulp. The dragon fights with Sun Wukong but is no match and retreats underwater. Sun Wukong hears from an Earth Deity that the dragon was placed there by Guanyin so he goes to find the bodhisattva and learns of the dragon's origin. The dragon prince had been waiting there for Tang Sanzang but did not recognize the latter and ate his horse as a result. The dragon transforms into the White Dragon Horse and serves as Tang Sanzang's steed for the rest of the latter's journey.
When Tang Sanzang was captured by the Yellow Robe Demon, the White Dragon Horse transforms himself into a young man and attempts to save Tang Sanzang, but fails. He escapes to inform Zhu Bajie, who in turn brings back Sun Wukong to save Tang Sanzang.
At the end of the novel, the White Dragon Horse is ordained as the Great Strength Bodhisattva of the Eight Heavenly Sections and Dragon Horse of the Eight Heavenly Sections. He turns into a white dragon and wraps his body around one of the pillars in the Great Leiyin Temple.
Bai Longma is worshipped as a deity in Chinese folk religion. Located in Rua Yai, Mueang Suphan Buri District, Suphan Buri, Thailand, the City Pillar Shrine enshrines the golden statue of Bai Longma, along with Tang Sanzang, Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing.
Public Domain Appearances[]
All published appearances of White Dragon Horse from before January 1, 1930 are public domain in the US.
Public Domain Literary Appearances[]
- Journey into the West