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List of Journey to the West characters

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The following is a list of characters in the Chinese classical 16th century novel Journey to the West, including those mentioned by name only.

Main characters

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Buddhist pantheon

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Taoist pantheon

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  • The Jade Emperor (玉皇大帝)
  • The Queen Mother of the West (西王母)
  • The Three Pure Ones (三清):
  • Xuan Wu (玄武), also known as Zhenwu Great Emperor (真武大帝)
    • Turtle and Snake Generals (龜蛇二將):
      • Taixuan Shuijing Heiling Zunshen (太玄水精黑靈尊神)
      • Taixuan Huojing Chiling Zunshen (太玄火精赤靈尊神)
    • Little Zhang Crown Prince (小張太子)
      • General Miaoyin (魔將妙音)
      • General Jiebo (魔將劫波)
      • General Wangxiang (魔將妄相)
      • General Lianyan (魔將蓮眼)
    • The Five Sacred Dragons (五大神龍)
  • The Five Elders of the Five Positions:
    • Chong'en Holy Emperor of the East (東方崇恩聖帝)
    • Xuanling Doumu Yuanjun of the North (北方北極玄靈鬥姆元君)
    • Yellow Horn Immortal of the Central (中央黃極黃角大仙)
  • Watcher deities:
    • Gao Ming (高明), the Thousand Li Eye (千里眼)
    • Gao Jue (高覺), the Wind Following Ear (順風耳)
  • Weather deities:
  • Devil King of Great Strength (大力鬼王)
  • The Lords of the Five Elements (五炁真君):
    • Wood Lord of the East (東方歲星木德真君)
    • Fire Lord of the South (南方熒惑火德真君)
    • Metal Lord of the West (西方太白金德真君), also known as Taibai Jinxing (太白金星)
    • Water Lord of the North (北方辰星水德真君)
    • Earth Lord of the Central (中央鎮星土德真君)
  • The Barefoot Immortal (赤腳大仙)
  • Deity of the Moon (太陰星君), also known as Chang'e (嫦娥)
  • Deity of the Sun (太陽星君)
  • Marshals:
    • Marshal of the Heavenly Canopy (天蓬元帥)
    • Marshal of Heavenly Blessing (天佑元帥)
  • Patrol deities:
    • Day Patrol Deity (日遊神)
    • Night Patrol Deity (夜遊神)
  • The Twelve Earthly Branches (Chinese: 十二元辰)
    • Zi (子)
    • Chou (丑)
    • Yin (寅)
    • Mao (卯)
    • Chen (辰)
    • Si (巳)
    • Wu (午)
    • Wei (未)
    • Shen (申)
    • You (酉)
    • Xu (戌)
    • Hai (亥)
  • The Nine Stars (九曜星):
  • Li Jing (李靖), the Pagoda Bearing Heavenly King (托塔天王)
  • Jinzha (金吒)
  • Muzha (木吒), also known as Hui'an (惠岸)
  • Nezha (哪吒)
  • Juling Shen (巨靈神)
  • Erlang Shen (二郎神)
  • Taiyi Leisheng Yinghua Tianzun (太乙雷聲應化天尊), also known as Wen Zhong
  • Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun (太乙救苦天尊), also known as Taiyi Zhenren (太乙真人)
  • Wang Shan, the Keeper of Spirits (靈官王善)
  • Emperor Wenchang (文昌帝君)
  • Great Immortal Zhenyuan (鎮元大仙)
  • The 28 Mansions (二十八宿):
  • The Four Time Guardians (四值功曹):
    • Li Bing, Guardian of Years (值年神李丙)
    • Huang Chengyi, Guardian of Months (值月神黃承乙)
    • Zhou Deng, Guardian of Days (值日神周登)
    • Liu Hong, Guardian of Hours (值時神劉洪)
  • The Four Heavenly Masters (四大天師|labels=no}}):
  • The Three Stars of Luck, Prosperity and Longevity (福祿壽三星)
  • The Six Ding (六丁):
    • Jade Maiden of Yin (陰神玉女)
    • Sima Qing of Dingmao (丁卯神司馬卿)
    • Cui Juqing of Dingyi (丁已神崔巨卿)
    • Shi Shutong of Dingwei (丁未神石叔通)
    • Zang Wengong of Dingyou (丁酉神臧文公)
    • Zhang Wentong of Dinghai (丁亥神張文通)
    • Zhao Ziyu of Dingchou (丁丑神趙子玉)
  • The Six Jia (六甲):
    • Jade Man of Yang (陽神玉男)
    • Wang Wenqing of Jiazi (甲子神王文卿)
    • Zhan Zijiang of Jiaxu (甲戌神展子江)
    • Hu Wenchang of Jiashen (甲申神扈文長)
    • Wei Yuqing of Jiawu (甲午神衛玉卿)
    • Meng Feiqing of Jiachen (甲辰神孟非卿)
    • Ming Wenzhang of Jiayin (甲寅神明文章)
  • The Six Stars of the South Formation (南斗六星):
    • Star of Life (司命星君)
    • Star of Prosperity (司祿星君)
    • Star of Longevity (延壽星君)
    • Star of Benefit (益算星君)
    • Star of Adversity (度厄星君)
    • Star of Birth (上生星君)
  • The Seven Stars of the North Formation (北斗七星), which corresponds to the Big Dipper
    • Greedy Wolf Star of Sunlight (陽明貪狼星君), which corresponds to the Dubhe
    • Giant Gate Star of Dark Essence (陰精巨門星君), which corresponds to the Merak
    • Lasting Prosperity Star of True Man (真人祿存星君), which corresponds the Phecda
    • Civil Star of Mystery and Darkness (玄冥文曲星君), which corresponds to the Megrez
    • Danyuan Star of Honesty and Chasity (丹元廉貞星君), which corresponds to the Alioth
    • Military Star of the North Pole (北極武曲星君), which corresponds to the Mizar
    • Army Defeating Star of Heaven's Gate (天關破軍星君), which corresponds to the Alkaid
  • The Dragon Kings of the Four Seas (四海龍王):
    • Ao Guang, Dragon King of the East Sea (東海龍王敖廣)
    • Ao Qin, Dragon King of the South Sea (南海龍王敖欽)
    • Ao Shun, Dragon King of the North Sea (北海龍王敖順)
    • Ao Run, Dragon King of the West Sea (西海龍王敖閏)
  • Jialan, Guardian of Eighteen Places (一十八位護教伽藍)
  • Lishan Laomu (驪山老母)
  • The City God (城隍)
  • Tudigong (土地公), the Earth Deity (土地神)
  • The Mountain Deity (山神)

Antagonists

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Yaoguai

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Main article: Yaoguai

Demon King of Confusion

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The Demon King of Confusion (混世魔王) is a demon king who seizes control of the Water Curtain Cave (水簾洞) after Sun Wukong left to learn magic from Subhuti. He chases away the primates and occupies the cave with his minions. Many years later, Sun Wukong returns, defeats the demon king and takes back the cave.

General Yin, Xiong Shanjun and Techu Shi

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General Yin (寅將軍), Xiong Shanjun (熊山君), and Techu Shi (特處士) are the first three demons Tang Sanzang encounters on his journey. Their true forms are a dark yellow tiger, a black bear, and a yellow buffalo respectively. They ambush Tang Sanzang and his two escorts at Double-Forked Ridge (雙叉嶺) and capture them. The two escorts are killed and eaten by the demons while Tang Sanzang is rescued by Taibai Jinxing.

Black Wind Demon and associates

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The Black Wind Demon or Heifeng Guai (黑風怪) is based in a cave on Black Wind Mountain (黑風山). His true form is a black bear but he appears as a dark-complexioned man armed with a Black Tassel Spear. He steals Tang Sanzang's cassock during a fire. Sun Wukong confronts him later to take back the cassock but the demon flees every time. After Sun Wukong seeks help from Guanyin, the demon eventually surrenders to Guanyin and becomes the mountain's guardian deity.

Baiyi Xiushi (白衣秀士) and Lingxuzi (凌虛子) are Heifeng Guai's friends. The three are having a conversation when Sun Wukong shows up. Baiyi Xiushi is killed by Sun Wukong and is revealed to be a white floral-patterned snake, while the other two escape. Lingxuzi was preparing magical pills as gifts for Heifeng Guai when he encounters Sun Wukong again, who recognises him and kills him. Lingxuzi turns out to be a gray wolf in disguise as a Taoist.

Elder Jinchi (金池長老) is the abbot of the Guanyin Monastery (觀音禪院) and Heifeng Guai's acquaintance. He meets Tang Sanzang and Sun Wukong, who stay at the monastery for one night. Sun Wukong brags about his master's cassock and the abbot, overcome by greed, wants it so badly that he plots to set fire to his monastery in an attempt to burn Tang Sanzang and Sun Wukong to death and take the cassock for himself. When Sun Wukong knows about this, he casts an anti-fire spell over the quarters where Tang Sanzang is resting so all the other parts of the monastery catch fire except those quarters. When Heifeng Guai comes to the burning monastery, he sees Tang Sanzang's cassock and steals it. The abbot dies in guilt and shame later when he realises what he has done.

Guangzhi (廣智) and Guangmou (廣謀) are Elder Jinchi's disciples who follow their master's orders to set the monastery on fire.

Yellow Wind Demon

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The Yellow Wind Demon (黃風怪), based in Yellow Wind Cave (黃風洞) at Yellow Wind Ridge (黃風嶺), is capable of blowing samadhi wind. He captures Tang Sanzang and wants to eat him. Sun Wukong enlists the help of Lingji Bodhisattva to subdue the demon, who is revealed to be actually a yellow marten from Vulture Peak. The bodhisattva captures the demon and brings him back to Vulture Peak.

The Tiger Vanguard (虎先鋒) is a minion of the Yellow Wind Demon. He distracts Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie and captures Tang Sanzang while they are distracted. He is killed by Zhu Bajie and revealed to be a tiger.

White Bone Demon

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The White Bone Demon, better known as Baigujing (白骨精) and Lady White Bone, is a shapeshifting skeleton spirit. She first disguises herself as a young woman and pretends to offer fruits to Tang Sanzang. Sun Wukong sees through her ruse and apparently kills the young woman, but the demon escapes and returns later in disguise as the young woman's mother. Sun Wukong sees through her disguise again and apparently kills the older woman. The demon flees yet again and returns in disguise as a man claiming to be the older woman's husband and younger woman's father. Sun Wukong sees through the demon's disguise and finally kills her the third time. However, Tang Sanzang, who has been misled into believing that Sun Wukong has just murdered three innocent people, banishes Sun Wukong after the third time.

Yellow Robe Demon

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The Yellow Robe Demon (黃袍怪), based in Moon Waves Cave (波月洞) on Bowl Mountain (碗子山) in the Kingdom of Baoxiang (寶象國), is a guise assumed by Kuimulang (the Wood Wolf of Legs; 奎木狼), a star spirit and one of the 28 Mansions. He fell in love with a Jade Maiden and decided to elope with her, but they were caught and punished since romantic feelings are forbidden among celestials. After she is reincarnated into the human world as Baihuaxiu (百花羞), the third princess of the Kingdom of Baoxiang, he kidnaps her, marries her for 13 years and has two children with her. He captures Tang Sanzang when the latter passes by the mountain. Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing try to save their master but are no match for the demon. Zhu Bajie goes to bring back Sun Wukong — who was previously banished by Tang Sanzang after killing the White Bone Demon — to help them. Sun Wukong defeats the demon, who mysteriously vanishes after his defeat. Sun Wukong then seeks help from celestial forces to track down the demon and learns his true identity. The Jade Emperor discovers that one of the 28 Mansions is missing, so he orders the remaining 27 to locate their missing fellow member. The Wood Wolf is subdued and brought back to Heaven, where he is ordered to serve as a furnace keeper under Taishang Laojun as his punishment.

Golden and Silver Horned Kings and associates

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The Golden Horned King (金角大王) and Silver Horned King (銀角大王) are a pair of demon brothers based in Lotus Cave (蓮花洞) on Flat Peak Mountain (平頂山). They capture Tang Sanzang and his companions by disguising themselves, and manage to use their powers to pin down Sun Wukong under three mountains. Sun Wukong escapes with the help of the local mountain deities and uses trickery and disguise to rob the demons of their five secret weapons. Sun Wukong then traps the demons in their own magic gourd and frees Tang Sanzang and the others. Just as they are preparing to continue on their journey, Taishang Laojun appears and tells them that the two demons are actually his servants in charge of watching over his furnaces. When their master was away, they had stolen their master's five secret weapons and escaped to cause trouble. Taishang Laojun then takes back his weapons and brings the demons back to Heaven.

Hu Aqi (狐阿七), whose true form is a fox, is the maternal uncle of the two demon kings. He is killed by Zhu Bajie.

The Nine-Tailed Vixen (九尾狐狸) is based in Dragon Suppressing Cave (壓龍洞) on Dragon Suppressing Mountain (壓龍山). She is the mother of the two demon kings and assumes the guise of an old woman. Her sons send their minions to fetch her to Flat Peak Mountain. Sun Wukong ambushes her along the way and kills her.

Lion-Lynx Demon

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The Lion-Lynx Demon (獅猁怪) is actually the Azure Lion (青毛獅子), the steed of the bodhisattva Manjusri. He drowns the ruler of the Kingdom of Wuji (烏雞國) in a well, and impersonates the king for three years. The ghost of the dead king appears to Tang Sanzang in a dream and begs him for help. Tang Sanzang then sends Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie to retrieve the king's body from the well and use a Pill of Immortality from Taishang Laojun to restore the king to life. After they confront the demon and expose his true identity, the demon disguises himself as Tang Sanzang to confuse Sun Wukong. However, his cover is blown when he cannot recite the Ring-Tightening Mantra that gives Sun Wukong a headache. Manjusri shows up, stops Sun Wukong from killing the demon, and explains that he is following the Buddha's instruction to allow his steed to serve as an obstacle for the protagonists to test their resolution to complete their quest. Manjusri also revealed that he had once disguised himself as a monk and visited Wuji. The king had him tied up and thrown into the river for three days and three nights. The king received his retribution when he was stuck in the well for three years. Manjusri takes back the Azure Lion.

Tuolong

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Tuolong (鼉龍; 'Water Lizard Dragon'), armed with a Bamboo-Linked Bronze Club, is based in Black River (黑水河) in Hengyang Valley (衡陽峪). He is actually the ninth son of the Dragon King of the Jing River, and was placed there by Guanyin to serve as an obstacle for the protagonists. He disguises himself as a boatman, pretends to ferry the protagonists across the river, and captures Tang Sanzang when they are unaware. Tuolong is eventually subdued and taken away by his cousin Crown Prince Mo'ang.

Immortals of Tiger, Elk, and Antelope Power

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The Immortal of Tiger Power (虎力大仙), Immortal of Elk Power (鹿力大仙), and Immortal of Antelope Power (羊力大仙) are three demons who disguise themselves as magicians to deceive the ruler of the Kingdom of Chechi (車遲國) and become the king's advisers. As their names suggest, their true forms are a tiger, an elk, and an antelope respectively. Sun Wukong competes with them in a contest of magic powers and lures them into meeting their respective ends: Tiger is beheaded; Elk is disemboweled; Antelope is fried in boiling oil.

Great King of Numinous Power

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The Great King of Numinous Power (靈感大王) is a demon based in Heaven-Reaching River (通天河) who is armed with a Nine Petals Bronze Hammer. He terrorises the people living near the river and demands that they sacrifice a boy and a girl to him every year or else he will cause flooding. After Sun Wukong defeats him, he retreats to his underwater lair. Sun Wukong later learns from Guanyin that the demon is actually her pet goldfish from a lotus pond at Mount Putuo who had obtained his powers after listening to the bodhisattva recite Buddhist scriptures every day. Guanyin uses a fish basket to trap the demon and bring him back to the pond.

Single Horned Rhinoceros King

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The Single Horned Rhinoceros King (獨角兕大王), armed with a bronze spear, is a demon king based in Golden Pouch Cave (金兜洞) on Golden Pouch Mountain (金兜山) who captures Tang Sanzang, Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing. When he is fighting the demon, Sun Wukong loses his Ruyi Jingu Bang after the demon uses a Golden Jade Ring to suck it away from him. Sun Wukong then seeks help from various celestial forces, including Li Jing, Nezha, the fire deities and the Eighteen Arhats, but all of them also lose their weapons to the demon's Golden Jade Ring. The demon is eventually revealed to be Taishang Laojun's steed, an Azure Bull, who had stolen his master's Golden Jade Ring and escaped to cause trouble. Taishang Laojun subdues the demon and takes back the Golden Jade Ring.

Immortal Ruyi

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Immortal Ruyi (如意真仙) is Bull Demon King's brother who is based in Immortal Gathering Temple (聚仙庵) on Mount Jieyang (解陽山) in Women's Country (女兒國). While they are in Women's Country, Tang Sanzang and Zhu Bajie unsuspectingly drink from the Spring of Pregnancy and become pregnant. The only cure is to drink from the Spring of Abortion, which is under Ruyi's control. When the women in Women's Country want to drink from the spring, they need to present gifts to Ruyi first. Ruyi holds a grudge against Sun Wukong because of the fate of his nephew, Red Boy, and he behaves in a hostile manner when Sun Wukong comes to seek water from the spring. Ruyi is eventually outwitted and defeated by Sun Wukong.

Scorpion Demoness

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The Scorpion Demoness (蠍子精) is a demoness based in Pipa Cave (琵琶洞) on Venom Mountain (毒敵山) whose true form is a pipa-sized giant scorpion. Having practised Taoist arts for several years, she has obtained magical powers. She once listened to the Buddha reciting scriptures and stung him when he brushed her away. When the Buddha instructed his followers to bring her to him, she had already fled. Shortly after escaping from Women's Country, Tang Sanzang is abducted by the Scorpion Demoness and taken back to her lair, where she tries to seduce him to marry her. Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie fight the scorpion to save their master, but are held back by her venomous sting. Eventually, they seek help from Maori Xingguan, who transforms into a giant rooster with two combs and kills the scorpion.

Six-Eared Macaque

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The Six-Eared Macaque (六耳獼猴) is a spiritual primate who is on par with Sun Wukong in terms of their powers and abilities. Hoping to prove that he is better than Sun Wukong, the Six-Eared Macaque first appears in Western Liang in disguise as Sun Wukong, knocks Tang Sanzang unconscious and steals the baggage and paperwork. He fights with the real Sun Wukong and neither of them is able to overcome his opponent. No one is able to identify who is the real Sun Wukong until they show up before the Buddha, who tells them about the spiritual primates. The Six-Eared Macaque attempts to flee when he hears the Buddha speak about his true identity, but the Buddha traps him under a giant golden alms bowl, and he is then killed by Sun Wukong.

Bull Demon King, Princess Iron Fan, Red Boy, and associates

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The Bull Demon King (牛魔王), whose true form is a giant white bull, is a demon king based in Sky-Scraping Cave (摩雲洞) on Thunder-Accumulating Mountain (積雷山). Early in the novel, he becomes sworn brothers with Sun Wukong and five other demon kings and is ranked the most senior of the seven. Later on, when the protagonists arrive at the Flaming Mountains on their journey, they get into conflict with Bull Demon King and Princess Iron Fan, especially since Sun Wukong had caused the downfall of their son. Bull Demon King is ultimately subdued by celestial forces and taken to Heaven for the Jade Emperor to decide his fate.

Princess Iron Fan (鐵扇公主) is Bull Demon King's estranged wife and Red Boy's mother. Her secret weapon is a Banana Leaf Fan, which is capable of creating strong winds. When Sun Wukong comes to borrow her fan to put out the fires at the Flaming Mountains, she is extremely hostile towards him because of the role he played in her son's downfall. Sun Wukong then uses trickery to steal the fan from her.

Red Boy (紅孩兒) is Bull Demon King and Princess Iron Fan's son. He attempts to capture Tang Sanzang so that he can eat the monk's flesh and extend his lifespan. When Sun Wukong fights Red Boy to save his master, Red Boy uses his powers to breathe samadhi fire, forcing Sun Wukong to retreat and seek help from Guanyin. Red Boy later finds Guanyin's lotus throne by chance and disrespectfully sits on it but ends up being trapped and subdued. He eventually agrees to give up his evil ways and serve as an attendant to the bodhisattva.

Jade-Faced Princess (玉面公主), whose true form is a fox spirit, is Bull Demon King's concubine. She is killed by Zhu Bajie.

The Water Repelling Golden Crystal Beast (避水金晶獸) is Bull Demon King's steed.

Wansheng Dragon King and associates

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The Wansheng Dragon King (萬聖龍王) is based in Emerald Waves Lake (碧波潭) at Rocky Mountain (亂石山) in the Kingdom of Jisai (祭賽國). He plots with his son-in-law, the Nine-Headed Beast, to steal a śarīra from the pagoda in Golden Ray Monastery (金光寺) and release a rain of blood in the kingdom. Without the śarīra, the pagoda loses its magical glow. The king blames the calamity on the monks, accusing them of stealing the śarīra and persecuting them. When Sun Wukong and his companions arrive in Jisai, they uncover the truth and confront and kill the dragon king and his family. The lost śarīra is found and returned to the pagoda.

The Wansheng Princess (萬聖公主) is Wansheng Dragon King's daughter and the Nine-Headed Beast's wife who had stolen the Nine Leaves Lingzhi Herb from the Queen Mother of the West. She is slain by Zhu Bajie.

The Nine-Headed Beast (九頭蟲), also known as the Nine-Headed Prince Consort (九頭駙馬), is Wansheng Dragon King's son-in-law who is armed with a Crescent Moon Spade. He collaborates with his father-in-law to steal the śarīra from the pagoda. Sun Wukong enlists the help of celestial forces to deal with the demons. The Nine-Headed Beast has one of his heads bitten off by Erlang Shen's hound but manages to escape.

Benbo'erba (奔波兒灞) and Babo'erben (灞波兒奔) are two minions of the Nine-Headed Beast whose respective forms are a sheatfish and a blackfish. Sun Wukong encounters them at the pagoda and captures and interrogates them, finding out the truth behind the theft of the śarīra.

Tree Spirits

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A group of tree spirits are based in Wood Immortal Temple (木仙庵) at Bramble Ridge (荊棘嶺). The four most senior spirits are Jinjie Shiba Gong (勁節十八公), Guzhi Gong (孤直公), Lingkongzi (凌空子) and Fuyun Sou (拂雲叟), who appear in human form as four old men. Their true forms are a pine tree, a cedar tree, a juniper tree, and a bamboo tree respectively. Tang Sanzang encounters them in the temple and discusses poetry with them. Other spirits include the Naked Demon (赤身鬼) and the Apricot Immortal (杏仙), whose true forms are a maple tree and an apricot tree respectively, while their servants are flower spirits. Sun Wukong sees through their disguise and tells Zhu Bajie when the latter asks him if he detects any demons in the vicinity. Zhu Bajie then destroys all the trees on his own initiative. Tang Sanzang reprimands Zhu Bajie for killing the spirits because they never harmed him, but Sun Wukong explains that it is better to destroy them in case they turn evil in the future.

Yellow Brows Great King

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The Yellow Brows Great King (黃眉大王) is a demon lord who is actually a servant of Maitreya. When his master was away, he stole his master's Human Sack and Golden Cymbals and escaped to cause trouble. He creates a replica of the Leiyin Temple at Vulture Peak and impersonates the Buddha while his followers disguise themselves as the Buddha's followers. Tang Sanzang, Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing fall for the ruse, mistakenly believing that they have reached Leiyin Temple, and end up being captured by the demon. Sun Wukong, unable to overcome the demon, seeks help from various celestial forces but they all get trapped in the Human Sack by the demon. At a critical juncture, Maitreya shows up and suggests to Sun Wukong to transform into a watermelon. The unsuspecting demon eats the watermelon, allowing Sun Wukong to enter his stomach and cause him great agony. The demon eventually surrenders and is taken away by Maitreya.

Python Demon

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The Python Demon (蟒蛇精) is based in Tuoluo Manor (駝羅庄) on Qijue Mountain (七絕山) and armed with a pair of spears, which are actually the tips of his forked tongue. His true form is a giant python with red scales and glowing eyes. He has eaten many people and animals living in the surroundings. He is killed when Sun Wukong enters his body in disguise as a fly and breaks out of his stomach.

Sai Tai Sui

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Sai Tai Sui (賽太歲; 'Equivalent to Tai Sui') is a demon king based on Qilin Mountain (麒麟山) in the Kingdom of Zhuzi (朱紫國). He is actually the Golden Haired Hou (金毛犼), a large canine beast serving as the steed of Guanyin. Armed with a broad axe, he also has a set of Purple-Gold Bells, which can conjure fire, smoke and dust storms when rung. He kidnaps one of the king's favourite concubines, and tries to force her to marry him. Unknown to him, the Immortal Ziyang (紫陽真人) has secretly cast a protective charm on the lady such that anyone who touches her will feel like being pricked by thorns. Sun Wukong uses tricks to steal the bells from Sai Tai Sui and then uses them against the demon. The demon is eventually subdued and taken back by Guanyin.

Spider Demons and Hundred-Eyed Demon Lord

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Diorama at Haw Par Villa, Singapore, depicting two of the Spider Demons trying to seduce Tang Sanzang.

The Spider Demons (蜘蛛精) are seven demon sisters based in Silk Cave (盤絲洞) at Silk Ridge (盤絲嶺). As their names suggest, their true forms are spiders. Tang Sanzang stumbles upon their thatched hut while begging for alms and tries to leave after suspecting that they are demons. However, it is too late as the demons emit spider silk from their navels and spin a web to trap Tang Sanzang. They are defeated by Sun Wukong later and have no choice but to release Tang Sanzang. The spiders are later squashed to death by Sun Wukong.

The Hundred-Eyed Demon Lord (百眼魔君), also known as the Multiple-Eyed Creature (多目怪), is a centipede demon based in Yellow Flower Temple (黃花觀) who has a thousand eyes radiating brilliant golden light to confuse his enemies and victims. He is the seven spider demons' senior and disguises himself as a Taoist. The spiders approach him for help in taking revenge after their defeat at the hands of Sun Wukong. He offers the protagonists poisoned drinks when they stop for a rest at his temple but Sun Wukong sees through his ruse. He seizes Tang Sanzang and holds him hostage, while Sun Wukong captures the seven spiders. He refuses to exchange Tang Sanzang for his juniors so Sun Wukong kills the spiders in anger. He is eventually subdued and captured by Pilanpo Bodhisattva and sent to guard the Thousand Flowers Cave (千花洞) at Purple Clouds Mountain (紫雲山).

Three Demon Kings at Lion Camel Ridge

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Three demon kings are based in Lion Camel Cave (獅駝洞) at Lion Camel Ridge (獅駝嶺). Sun Wukong first learns about them from one of their minions he had captured.

The Azure Lion (青毛獅子) is actually the steed of Manjusri which previously appeared in an earlier chapter as the Lion-Lynx Demon. Armed with a bronze saber, he is capable of transforming himself into several times bigger or smaller than his normal size. It is said that he once showed up uninvited at a peach feast hosted by the Queen Mother of the West and wanted to fight for the rulership of Heaven. The Jade Emperor sent 100,000 celestial troops to capture the demon, who turned into a giant monster and devoured the entire army in one gulp. The Azure Lion swallows Sun Wukong, who causes trouble inside his stomach. The Lion then pretends to agree to open his mouth and let Sun Wukong out, but intends to bite him to death when he comes out. However, having seen through the demon's ruse, Sun Wukong sticks out his Ruyi Jingu Bang instead and the demon breaks his teeth after biting on the staff. Sun Wukong later creates a long rope, ties it around the demon's heart and plays with it after leaving the demon's stomach. The Azure Lion is eventually subdued and taken back by Manjusri.

The Golden Winged Great Peng (金翅大鵬雕) is armed with a ji and capable of flying over great distances. He possesses a magic flask which can suck in unsuspecting victims. After a while, the victim trapped in the flask will be reduced to a bloody pulp. He uses the flask to trap Sun Wukong but the latter breaks out and the flask is rendered useless because its essence has been spilt. The demon is later revealed to be a brother of the peacock Mahamayuri, the Buddha's godmother. The Buddha shows up to subdue the demon and takes him back to Vulture Peak.

The Yellow Toothed Elephant (黃牙老象) is actually the white elephant that Samantabhadra rides on. Armed with a long spear, he appears as a giant with an elephant head and a long nose capable of trapping enemies and crushing them. While fighting with Zhu Bajie, he uses his nose to wrap around him and capture him. He is eventually subdued and taken back by Samantabhadra.

White Deer Spirit and White-Faced Vixen Spirit

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The White Deer Spirit (白鹿精) is actually the steed of the Old Man of the South Pole. He stole his master's staff and escaped to cause trouble. He adopts the White-Faced Vixen Spirit (白面狐狸精), a fox spirit, as his daughter, disguises her as a beautiful maiden, and presents her to the ruler of the Kingdom of Biqiu (比丘國). The king is entranced by the vixen's charming looks and marries her, while the white deer (disguised as a middle-aged man) becomes the king's father-in-law. The king gradually falls sick under the demons' influence, and the white deer lies that he needs the hearts of 1,111 children to make a cure. The king then issues an order to capture 1,111 children and imprison them in cages, preparing to have them killed and their hearts harvested. When the protagonists arrive in Biqiu, the white deer tells the king that Tang Sanzang's heart is the best cure so the king orders the arrest of Tang Sanzang. Sun Wukong saves the children and exposes the demons' true forms. The vixen is slain by Zhu Bajie while the white deer is subdued and taken back by the Old Man of the South Pole.

Lady Earth Flow

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Lady Earth Flow (地涌夫人) is actually a Golden-Nosed Albino Rat Spirit (金鼻白毛老鼠精) who obtained her powers after practising Taoist arts for 300 years and secretly consuming sacred candles at Vulture Peak. After she was captured by Li Jing and Nezha, she was supposed to be executed but the Buddha told them to spare her life. She was so grateful that she acknowledged Li Jing as her godfather and Nezha as her godbrother. Later, she moved to the Bottomless Pit (無底洞) at Flaming Air Mountain (焰空山) and renamed herself "Lady Earth Flow" and armed herself with a pair of swords. When the protagonists pass by Black Pines Forest (黑松林), she disguises herself as a damsel in distress to attract Tang Sanzang's attention. Tang Sanzang takes pity on her and lets her accompany them to a nearby temple, but Sun Wukong sees through her cover. She ate six monks in the temple and captures Tang Sanzang when Sun Wukong and the others are distracted. Sun Wukong finds out her true identity later and brings Li Jing and Nezha to subdue her and take her back.

King of the Southern Hill

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The King of the Southern Hill (南山大王) is a demon king based in Linked Cave (連環洞) on Bent Peak (折岳) at Hidden Misty Mountain (隱霧山). Armed with an iron pestle, he is capable of creating windstorms and mist. When he learns that the protagonists are approaching the mountain, he comes up with a plan to separately lure Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing away from Tang Sanzang and capture their master. Sun Wukong infiltrates his lair later and casts a sleeping spell on the demon and his minions and saves Tang Sanzang. The demon is slain by Zhu Bajie just as he awakes, and his true form is revealed to be a leopard with mugwort-shaped patterns on its body, possibly a snow leopard.[1]

Grand Saint of Nine Spirits and associates

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The Grand Saint of Nine Spirits (九靈元聖) is actually the Nine-Headed Lion that Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun rides on. The boy in charge of looking after the lion fell asleep after drinking a potion and accidentally allowed the lion to escape and cause trouble. The lion builds a base at Jiuqu Panhuan Cave (九曲盤桓洞) at Bamboo Links Mountain (竹節山) near the Kingdom of Yuhua (玉華國) and earns the allegiance of a local clan of lion demons, who revere him as their grand spiritual ancestor. When he learns that his god-grandson, the Tawny Lion Demon, has been killed by Sun Wukong, he seeks vengeance and captures Tang Sanzang, Zhu Bajie, Sha Wujing and the royal family of Yuhua and has all of them whipped. Eventually, Sun Wukong uncovers his true identity and seeks help from Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun, who shows up to subdue the lion and bring him back to Heaven.

The Tawny Lion Demon (黃獅精), armed with a giant spade, is based in Tiger's Jaw Cave (虎口洞) at Leopard's Head Mountain (豹頭山) in the Kingdom of Yuhua, and a god-grandson of the Nine-Headed Lion. When he learns that the protagonists are approaching the mountain, he steals their weapons out of greed. They attack his cave to take back their weapons and end up killing him and his minions. His death leads to the conflict between the protagonist and the Nine-Headed Lion.

Roushi (猱獅), Xueshi (雪獅), Suanni (狻猊), Baize (白澤), Fuli (伏狸) and Boxiang (摶象) are six lion demons who used to inhabit the Jiuqu Panhuan Cave before the arrival of the Nine-Headed Lion, whom they honour as their grand spiritual ancestor. They are captured by Sun Wukong and his companions and executed.

Kings of Cold, Heat and Dust Protection

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The King of Cold Protection (辟寒大王), King of Heat Protection (辟暑大王) and King of Dust Protection (辟塵大王) are three rhinoceros demons based in Xuanying Cave (玄英洞) on Azure Dragon Mountain (青龍山) in Jinping Prefecture (金平府). Armed with a battleaxe, a broadsword, and a rattan staff respectively, they disguise themselves as buddhas and steal aromatic oil from lamps on a bridge, tricking worshippers into believing that the "buddhas" have accepted the oil offered to them. When Tang Sanzang goes to pay respect to the "buddhas", the demons capture him and flee. Sun Wukong and his companions try to save their master but are outnumbered by the demons and their minions, so they seek help from celestial forces. The demons are eventually defeated and killed by the combined efforts of Sun Wukong, his companions, the four Wood beasts of the 28 Mansions, and marine forces led by Crown Prince Mo'ang.

Jade Rabbit Spirit

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Sun Wukong and the Moon Rabbit, depicted in Yoshitoshi's One Hundred Aspects of the Moon, 1889.

The Jade Rabbit Spirit (玉兔精) is actually the moon rabbit which pounds a mortar and pestle in Guanghan Palace (廣寒宮) on the Moon. She holds a grudge against the fairy Su'e (素娥), who had hit her before. After Su'e is reincarnated as a princess of Tianzhu, the rabbit escapes from the Moon to take her revenge and lives on Maoying Mountain (毛穎山). Armed with a short staff transformed from her pestle, she kidnaps the princess and impersonates her. When Tang Sanzang passes by Tianzhu on his journey, she wants to marry him so that she can absorb his yang essence and increase her powers. Sun Wukong sees through her disguise and fights with her. Just as Sun Wukong is about to defeat the rabbit, Taiyin Xingjun and Chang'e show up and stop him and take the rabbit back to the Moon.

Others

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Immortal Zhenyuan

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Immortal Zhenyuan (鎮元大仙), also known as Zhenyuanzi (鎮元子), is the patriarch of all earthbound immortals. He is based in Wuzhuang Temple (五莊觀) on Longevity Mountain (萬壽山) in West Continent (西牛賀洲). In his temple, there is a special ginseng tree that produces only 30 fruits every 10,000 years. The fruit is shaped like an infant less than three days old; anyone who smells the fruit can extend their lifespan by 365 years, and anyone who consumes the fruit can live for another 48,000 years. Zhenyuan was away when the protagonists arrive at his temple on their journey. Earlier on, he had instructed his servants Qingfeng (清風; 'Clear Breeze') and Mingyue (明月; 'Bright Moon') to serve two fruits to Tang Sanzang. When Tang Sanzang sees the fruit, he is disgusted by its appearance and refuses to eat it. The two servants then secretly eat the fruits, but are seen by Zhu Bajie, who tells Sun Wukong about it. Sun Wukong then steals more fruits for himself and his juniors. When the servants realise some fruits are missing, they accuse Sun Wukong of theft and Sun Wukong destroys the tree in anger before escaping with his companions. When Zhenyuan returns to his temple, he turns furious after hearing about what happened and confronts the protagonists. The conflict is eventually resolved when Sun Wukong gets the Star of Longevity to restore the tree to life. Zhenyuan is so pleased that he becomes sworn brothers with Sun Wukong and treats all of them to a fruit feast before sending them off on their journey.

Ruler of Women's Country

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The Ruler of Women's Country (女兒國國王) is the ruler of a country in Western Liang with an all-female population. When the protagonists arrive in her country, she hears that Tang Sanzang is a sworn brother of the emperor of the Tang Empire and decides to marry him. On Sun Wukong's suggestion, Tang Sanzang pretends to marry the ruler and lies that his three disciples will go to fetch the scriptures in his place. Just as the protagonists are about to leave the country and continue on their quest, the Scorpion Demoness shows up and captures Tang Sanzang, prompting the three disciples to go after her to rescue their master.

Ruler of the Kingdom of Miefa

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The Ruler of the Kingdom of Miefa (滅法國國王; "Miefa" literally means "destroy dharma") hates Buddhists and once made an oath to slaughter 10,000 Buddhist monks. He has already killed 9,996 monks when the protagonists arrive in his kingdom. To evade trouble, the protagonists disguise themselves as horse traders and hide in a big cupboard in an inn. That night, the cupboard is stolen by thieves but recovered by the authorities and brought to the palace. Sun Wukong cast sleeping spells on everyone in the palace and shaved their heads. The next morning, when the king wakes up, he is shocked to see that he, his family members, and his subjects are all bald just like Buddhist monks. He realises that he has done wrong in persecuting Buddhists so he repents and renames his domain "Kingdom of Qinfa" (欽法國; "Qinfa" literally means "respect for dharma").

Great White Turtle

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The Great White Turtle (大白龜) is a giant turtle based in Heaven-Reaching River (通天河) who was forced out of his underwater residence by a demon. After Sun Wukong brings Guanyin to subdue and take away the demon, the turtle feels so grateful to the protagonists that he ferries them across the 800 li-wide river on his back. Before continuing on his journey, Tang Sanzang promises to help the turtle ask the Buddha when the turtle will be able to transform into a human. However, Tang Sanzang forgets his promise when he and his disciples reach their final destination at Vulture Peak and meet the Buddha. On their way back to Chang'an, the protagonists are abruptly dropped off at Heaven-Reaching River, where they meet the turtle again. While ferrying them across the river on his back again, the turtle asks Tang Sanzang about his promise, and Tang Sanzang apologises for forgetting. The unhappy turtle throws them off his back into the water, forcing them to swim across the river. This incident fulfils the last of the 81 tribulations that Tang Sanzang is destined to face on his journey to obtain the scriptures.

Historical figures

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Others

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  • The Seven Sages (七聖) are a fraternity of demon kings who become sworn brothers with Sun Wukong early in the novel. They are Bull Demon King (牛魔王), Jiao Demon King (蛟魔王), Peng Demon King (鵬魔王), Lion Camel King (獅駝王), Macaque King (獼猴王), and Long-Tailed Marmoset King (禺狨王).
  • Liu Boqin (劉伯欽) is a hunter who protects Tang Sanzang from wild beasts and provides him with food and shelter. He introduces the latter to Sun Wukong, who was trapped under a mountain by the Buddha.
  • Gao Cuilan (高翠蘭) is a woman forced by Zhu Bajie to be his wife.
  • Squire Gao (高員外) is Gao Cuilan's father.
  • The Dragon King of Jing River (涇河龍王) is the ruler of the Jing River and a relative of the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas. He makes a bet with Yuan Tiangang, who claims he can predict the weather. Upon learning that the prediction matches what the Jade Emperor has decreed for the next day's weather, the Dragon King changes the timing and amount of rainfall in order to win the bet. However, in doing so, he has broken celestial rules so the Jade Emperor orders his execution, which was carried out by Wei Zheng. The Dragon King has nine sons:
    • Little Yellow Dragon (小黃龍), who oversees the Huai River
    • Little Black Dragon (小驪龍), who oversees the Ji River
    • Green-Backed Dragon (青背龍), who oversees the Yangtze
    • Red-Bearded Dragon (赤髯龍), who oversees the Yellow River
    • Fortunate Old Dragon (福老龍), who serves as a bell keeper for the Buddha
    • Civil Longevity Dragon (文壽龍), who guards the ridge at the celestial palace
    • Fervent Loyalty Dragon (精忠龍), who guards the Sky-supporting Huabiao at the celestial palace
    • Divine Dragon (神龍), who stays at Taiyue Mountain with his uncle, the Dragon King of the East Sea
    • Water Lizard Dragon (鼉龍)
  • Crown Prince Mo'ang (摩昂太子), the eldest son of the Dragon King of the West Sea.

References

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  1. ^ Riordan, Philip & Shi, Kun (2016). "Chapter 42 - China: Current State of Snow Leopard Conservation in China" in McCarthy, Malton, & Nyhus (editors) Snow Leopards: Biodiversity of the World: Conservation from Genes to Landscapes 1st Edition, p. 524
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