One of the most famous characters in Chinese mythology, the origins of the Monkey King have evolved. Whether it is a domestic monkey or a foreign monkey, they have left a wealth of legends in this mythological vein. Literary works such as "Journey to the West" have shaped his image differently, but his journey has changed from a "lewd monkey" to a "defender".
In historical documents, the figure of Sun Wukong can be traced back to the mythical beast "Wuzhiqi" in the "Classic of Mountains and Seas", and the image of a water monster is prevalent in the legends of the Jianghuai region. This image has a mysterious connection with the later story about the Monkey King. In "The Poetry of the Tang Dynasty", he is depicted as the macaque king of Ziyun Cave, the hero who helps teachers learn scriptures.
However, the evolution of this mythical figure has not been without its challenges. Some scholars believe that the Monkey King may have originated from the story of the Hindu monkey Hanuman, and even regard the myth of Wuzhiqi as an imitation of the Indian story. Hanuman's legend in the Ramayana is similar to some of the stories of the Monkey King, sparking controversy about the origin of the Monkey King.
In the early image, Sun Wukong was even labeled as a "lewd monkey". In ancient literature, monkeys are often described as good women, as early as the literary work "Yi Lin?".There is a relevant record in Kun no Peel. Works such as "Sou Shen Ji" and "The Legend of the White Ape of Bujiang Zong" also have similar descriptions, associating the image of a monkey with lewdness.
This image continued until the "Journey to the West Miscellaneous Drama" of the Yuan Dynasty, in which Sun Wukong was depicted as a monkey with desires and a family. Even in the later "Journey to the West", his lustful side was occasionally revealed. But with the development of the story, especially the addition of other characters such as Zhu Bajie, the image of Sun Wukong gradually changed to a righteous and defending character.
The evolution of this mythical figure reflects the richness of Chinese culture and the complexity of mythological inheritance. The Monkey King has evolved from a vague and controversial character to a well-respected defender, a transformation that carries a deep connotation of cultural heritage.
Monkey King, as one of the most classic mythological characters in Chinese culture, presents the richness and diversity of Chinese culture and mythological inheritance. This evolution not only profoundly affects literary works and artistic creation, but also reflects the changes in Chinese society and culture.
The complex origin of his image has sparked a topic of controversy between domestic and foreign monkeys. In the early image, the Monkey King was labeled as a "lewd monkey", which is reflected in ancient documents and literary works. However, with the passage of time and the change of cultural background, his image gradually changed to a righteous and defensive figure, and this evolution is closely related to the development of Chinese culture.
This transformation is a manifestation of the change in Chinese culture and values. In different historical stages, people's definitions and expectations of "heroes" are different, which directly affects the shaping of the mythical image of Monkey King. He has gradually transformed from a lascivious "lewd monkey" in his early days to a "defender" with noble character and righteous feelings, demonstrating the reverence for justice, courage and wisdom in Chinese culture.
The change in the image of the Monkey King also reflects the development of Chinese literary works. From "The Poetry of the Tang Dynasty" to "Journey to the West", his image has continued to evolve, shaping many different versions of the story. These literary works not only inherit ancient Chinese myths and legends, but also integrate into the social and cultural background of the time and people's pursuit of heroes.
In addition, the controversy over the origin of the Monkey King also reveals the mutual influence and exchange between different cultures. The suggestion that he may have originated from the Indian monkey Hanuman highlights the cultural exchange between China and India, and this cross-cultural influence has made the image of the Monkey King more diverse and rich.
In general, the evolution of the image of the Monkey King as a Chinese mythological figure is a microcosm of the multi-dimensional development of Chinese culture. He is not only an indispensable and important element in literary creation, but also a vivid symbol of the inheritance and evolution of Chinese culture, deeply rooted in the cultural identity of the Chinese people.
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