Monkey King (disambiguation) facts for kids
The Monkey King, also known as Sun Wukong, is a very famous character from an old Chinese story called Journey to the West. He is a powerful and mischievous monkey who goes on an amazing adventure. This story is one of the most important novels in Chinese literature.
The Monkey King is known for his incredible strength, speed, and magical powers. He can change into 72 different forms, like animals or objects. He also has a special staff that can grow or shrink, and he can fly on a cloud.
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Who is the Monkey King?
The Monkey King, Sun Wukong, was born from a magical stone. He became the king of the monkeys on Flower Fruit Mountain. He was very clever and wanted to become immortal, meaning he would live forever. He learned many powerful spells and fighting skills from a wise Taoist master.
His Rebellious Nature
Sun Wukong was very proud and often caused trouble. He even fought against the gods in Heaven! His most famous act of rebellion was "Havoc in Heaven," where he defeated many powerful heavenly warriors. Because of his mischief, the Jade Emperor, the ruler of Heaven, tried to punish him.
Imprisonment and Redemption
Eventually, the Buddha himself had to step in to stop the Monkey King. Buddha trapped Sun Wukong under a mountain for 500 years. This was his punishment for his rebellious actions.
After 500 years, a Buddhist monk named Tang Sanzang (also known as Tripitaka) was chosen to travel to the West to collect sacred Buddhist scriptures. Sun Wukong was released from the mountain to become one of Tang Sanzang's disciples. He promised to protect the monk on his dangerous journey.
The Journey to the West
The story of Journey to the West follows Tang Sanzang and his three powerful disciples:
- Sun Wukong (the Monkey King)
- Zhu Bajie (a pig-like creature)
- Sha Wujing (a river ogre)
- And a dragon prince who turns into a horse
They face many challenges, including demons, monsters, and magical obstacles. Sun Wukong's bravery, strength, and cleverness are often what save the group from danger. He uses his powers to fight evil and help the monk complete his mission.
The Monkey King in Pop Culture
The story of the Monkey King is so popular that it has been told and retold many times. You can find him in:
- Books: Many novels and comic books (manga) have been inspired by his adventures.
- The Monkey King (Mo novel), a 1978 book by Timothy Mo.
- The Monkey King (manga), a dark fantasy manga series from 2002.
- Monkey King, a 2001 picture book by Ed Young.
- Movies: There have been many films about the Monkey King, both animated and live-action.
- Havoc in Heaven, a famous Chinese animated film from the 1960s.
- The Monkey King (2014 film), a live-action movie.
- Monkey King: Hero Is Back, a popular Chinese animated film from 2015.
- The Monkey King (2023 film), a Netflix animated movie.
- TV Shows: The Monkey King has also starred in several television series.
- The Monkey King (TV miniseries), an American TV show from 2001.
- The Monkey King: Quest for the Sutra, a Hong Kong and Taiwanese TV series from 2002.
Other Uses of "Monkey King"
Sometimes, the name "Monkey King" is used for other things too:
- Monkey King (horse) (born 2002), a racehorse from New Zealand.
- Tancred, King of Sicily, a king from the 1100s, was sometimes called "The Monkey King" by people who didn't like him.
See also
- Journey to the West (disambiguation)
- The Monkey King's Daughter, a series of young adult novels.
