#wuzhiqi

[muffinsouffle]

Wuzhiqi Shengmu, goddess of the Huai river and Sun Wukong's long-lost older sister.

I wanted to make a character out of the chinese mythology. Then, I even made a backstory for her with the information that I gathered up.

I hope you liked this post and have a nice day 💖

#lego monkie kid #monkie kid #lmk sun wukong #lmk mk #lmk mei #lmk pigsy #lmk tang #lmk red son #wuzhiqi #Wuzhiqi Shengmu #my art #muffinsouffle's art #artists on tumblr #I really love her design

[ghostly-creator]

Heaven is spiralling cause these Yao didn't even EARN their titles. the audacity, I'll tell you what!

#journey to the west #jttw #jttw fanart #xi you ji #sun wukong #monkey king #jttw sun wukong #jttw monkey king #jttw oc #jttw six eared macaque #six eared macaque #jttw liu er mihou #liu'er mihou #liu er mihou #wuzhiqi #wuzhiqi shengmu

[journeytothewestresearch]

Yu the Great and Sun Wukong's Staff

This is my answer to the following reddit question:

Did the Ruyi Jingu Bang, as a tool used by Da Yu, exist before the novel?

Monkey's golden-hoop iron staff can be traced to the khakkhara and iron rod respectively used by his precursor in the 13th-century JTTW. The story doesn't mention anything about Yu the Great. The demi-god's connection to the staff is, as far as I know, unique to the standard 1592 edition of JTTW.

This association probably came about in a couple of ways. For example, there is a Chinese graphic similarity (and possible totemic connection) between Yu and a specific kind of monkey:

The generic Chinese primate names have identical pronunciations or spellings to those of the earliest Chinese emperors. For instance, the character 猱 (Nao) is considered as the ancestral name of the royal family of Shang dynasty (商朝 ca. 1600–1050 BCE) (Cao, 1997; Wang, 2001). This word is used to denote a primate species that is good at climbing. Similarly, the character 禺 (Yu) represents a long-tailed monkey. This word is the same as the character 禹 (Yu), a legendary emperor well known for his brilliance in regulating floodwater (Huang, 2011). This association between primates and the earliest emperors indicates a possible totemic status for primates (Niu, Ang, Xiao, et al., 2002, p. 91).

(The aforementioned Yu (禺) monkey was apparently well-known, for it is referenced several times in the Classic of Mountains and Seas (Shanhai jing, 山海經, c. 4th-century to 1st-century BCE), a popular Chinese bestiary, in order to indicate the shape and size of certain primate-like animals (Strassberg, 2002, pp. 83, 84, 91, 99, 104, 122, 123).)

Also, Yu is known for imprisoning Wuzhiqi (無支奇 / 巫支祇), a monkey flood demon, beneath a mountain in Tang and Song-era folklore. This likely influenced Sun Wukong's punishment under Five Elements Mountain.

Therefore, all of this probably led to the author-compiler of the 1592 JTTW associating Monkey's staff with Yu the Great and his efforts to end the world flood.

Sources:

Niu, K., Ang, A., Xiao, Z. et al. (2002). Is Yuan in China’s Three Gorges a Gibbon or a Langur? International Journal of Primatology, 43, 822–866. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10764-022-00302-1

Strassberg, R. (2002). A Chinese Bestiary: Strange Creatures from the Guideways Through Mountains and Seas. University of California Press.

#Da Yu #Yu the Great #Sun Wukong #Monkey King #Journey to the West #JTTW #Wuzhiqi #flood demon #monkey #Shanhaijing #Classic of Mountains and Seas #Magic Staff #Ruyi jingu bang #Gold-banded staff #Lego Monkie Kid #LMK

[the-monkey-ruler]

Wouldn’t Wūzhīqí make a better dark counterpart/opposite to Wùkōng? Six-Eared Macaque seemed more like an evil What-If.

I do think there is a difference between a counterpart and an opposite. A counterpart is something that completes another person. and an opposite is a person or thing that is totally different from or the reverse of someone or something else.

Wuzhiqi sadly does not have a lot of lore around them to be a proper counterpart to Wukong, nor would it be fair to deprive them of their individuality for the sake of this story where the Six Ears is meant to be Wukong’s doppelgänger. Six Ears is an evil what if but that is what makes him the best counterpart to Wukong as well. Six Ears isn't meant to be the opposite of Wukong, he is meant to be his foil. Exactly like him in every way but choosing every wrong path to instill fear into Wukong of what he could be. Wuzhiqi rather is what Wukong could never be, which could be argued as a better 'opposite' would take away the impact of being a good counterpart.

Wuzhiqi is a great character but from what I have seen is more treated like a force of nature rather than a deliberate opponent. Wuzhiqi has a nature of chaos within them but it seems to be treated as a part of their nature rather than a conscious choice for them to wreak havoc due to any hubris or ego they might have. Not saying they that can't have that but it is just never explored enough to be anything concrete. It is very vague even on even what Wuzhiqi's crimes as they were mostly seen to cause flooding or bring trouble to sailers but it never seems to be out of malice but rather just in their nature as a water spirit.

Similarly, both Wuzhiqi and the Six Ears both do not have a connected past with Wukong. I think that there are too many disconnects to really hone in on how Wuzhiqi is supposed to be “evil” one, but rather I see that about is how Wuzhiqi could be seen as the “defeated” one. With Wuzhiqi, their story is set up that they were born to cause destruction while in the case with the Six Ears he is meant to show what Wukong would be if he kept choosing to be destructive.

This could lead to a different but still wonderful literary analysis about the difference between "born evil" and "becoming evil" and comparing how Wuzhiqi is framed to be a beast that is meant to be captured and contained and how this point of view is forced on Wukong in a similar manner. When Wukong commits a crime he is treated the same as Wuzhiqi where heaven's only goal is to capture and contain him. But where Wuzhiqi's story ends, Wukong's story is just beginning as he is given a second chance, proving that he isn't a mindless beast that needs to be caged but rather he is capable of self-reflection and understanding his actions have consequences. We get that deeper level of understanding and even humanity with Wukong.

Wuzhiqi isn't given a sympathetic viewpoint, but rather to be treated more as a flat character. While Six Ears isn't given a lot of backstory, we are given that he is a spiritual monkey. While he is undoubtedly mean to be Wukong's evil 'what if' he is still created in a frame that he is his own person, and thus has his own choices that he has made. He is meant to be seen to have the exact same tools as Wukong, and the same conscious awareness. He is meant to be the worst aspects of Wukong but only because he made those CHOICES to where he is. Six Ears is meant to show a Wukong that doesn't change his ways, and always chooses to do wrong when he knows better. Six Ears is unique in that he is always meant to show the worst parts of Wukong and while Wukong may NOT be like, he is it as a warning that he COULD be like that. That is what makes him a counterpart, showing all of Wukong's parts and he still is able to face the worst of himself.

Wuzhiqi could offer a different threat to Wukong but still in a similar way. The idea is that while Wukong isn't born "evil" such as the Wuzhiqi is described but rather that he has the choice to do evil. Wuzhiqi is never given an inner monologue or much of a backstory but we are given the idea that Wuzhiqi is a demon that was born out of nature and is doing what comes naturally, thus having Yu the Great having to come down to stop them. There is no hope for redemption for Wuzhiqi cannot change what they are, a flood demon.

Wukong on the other hand could be forced to face that he isn't the same. That he can't blame his nature for why he is what he is, and yes he is a yaoguai who grew up around other yaoguai, but he is still an intelligent and emotionally competent man who, in the end of the day, made his own choices that lead him to where he is. He chooses to be antagonistic and undermine heaven at every turn. Mostly done under impulsive choices where he didn't think it though, but he can't blame anyone else when he was the one that he didn't think his actions through. That is where Six Ears is meant to represent that side of Wukong that keeps choosing to make mistakes even when he knows better, but can't let go of his own ego or pride.

Wuzhiqi has the excuse that they are following their nature, but Wukong has to fight their impulses every day to do good. This could be a good point that Wuzhiqi could show what Wukong could never be, a mindless yaoguai who is a slave to their impulses and only looking for destruction. But because Wukong was never meant to be framed as such, as it would take away the impact of being a solid counterpart to Wukong. Rather he needed a foil character that is similar to him, another demon that is meant to represent Wukong's choices in life, rather than saying it was in his nature. To blame Wukong's nature for what he is would be taking away agency from his choices, and that is why Six Ears is meant to be a good counterpart by showing that 'what-if' side of himself.

At most the greatest similarity these two have is definitely how they are trapped under the mountain however, while Wukong was able to gain another chance and find redemption Wuzhiqi is still under the mountain and being guarded because they cannot change. It is because of that lack of agency that Wuzhiqi is given that they couldn't be utilized to the fullest extent to show Wukong's actions having consequences. They could offer a good insight into what a true mindless beast would be like and what stereotypes Wukong is forced to face with but there Six Ears offer more of that interpretation battle within Wukong of facing the worst aspects of himself that wouldn't be able to find within Wuzhiqi.

#anon ask #anonymous #anon #jttw #journey to the west #sun wukong #xiyouji #Wuzhiqi #monkey king #six ear the evil #six ears becomes evil through great effort #and wuzhiqi born evil #i think it's funny #six eared macaque #liuer mihou #liu'er mihou #liu er mihou

[sunny-days-and-warm-mournings]

Wuzhiqi to Sun Wukong in my 1623638493625th AU

#I have context for this I promise #but I just couldn't get rid of it out of my mind #jttw #jttw au #Wuzhiqi #sun wukong

[briefbestiary]

A monkey-like aquatic demon, Wuzhiqi was both powerful and disastrous, making the flooding in his area even worse by kicking up waves.

#BriefBestiary #bestiary #digital art #fantasy #folklore #legend #myth #mythology #monster #wuzhiqi #monkey demon #demon #chinese mythology #chinese folklore #chinese demon #yu the great #great flood of gun-yu #huai river #guishan mountain

[sketching-shark]

Hi :)

who or what's the wuzhiqi(?) monkey? I've seen the name tossed around but I don't know the context of it

Hello anon!

So I don't have a SUPER large amount of information on this simian, but the short story is that Wuzhiqi is a monkey-like yaoguai and/or river spirit and/or river god who is thought to have been responsible for some extremely destructive flooding in China before the hero Yu the Great defeated and imprisoned it under Turtle Mountain, an island in the Huai River in modern Anhui Province. Wuzhiqi's theorized by some to be a potential inspiration for Sun Wukong (what with them both being monkey demons that were imprisoned for their monkey crimes), although Wuzhiqi (as far as I know) was never released and never escaped from its watery prison. Wuzhiqi is also described as having black fur with a white head, metal eyes that are as bright as lightning, and a neck that can stretch out 100 feet. The ever-interesting @journeytothewestresearch provides a much more detailed summary about Wuzhiqi here:

#chinese mythology #chinese folklore #wuzhiqi #I don't know much about chinese folklore #but it is kind of neat how many monkey-shaped entities are a part of it!

[dorothygale123]

Part 1

Sorry, Tumblr has a 10 image limit, so I had to split this into 2 posts. Back to the cute figures I don't need and will not buy like the responsible adult I am!

Bingfeng is kinda like if two pigs got smooshed together, booty first. Apparently two heads make it twice as stubborn (talk about boar headed, am I right?).

Next.

A floofy little kitty, so cute! Though more often it's compared to a fox or a ferret, it's 100% adorable. In fact, it's considered to be a great pet as just being with it can ease all worries (as real cat owners can affirm).

Next.

No, this is not the birb form of Erlang Shen, though it does have his third eye. Looking mostly like a normal owl except for the extra eye and sounding like a deer for some reason, this little guy was more likely to end up on your plate than as a pet. Apparently eating this cutie could cure certain illnesses, but the guilt you feel will be forever.

Next!

A multi-eared monkey? This seems familiar... but no, this is not Liu'er Mihou, the Six Eared Macaque from JttW, but an entirely different simian with extra hearing holes. This is Chang You, and I couldn't find much about him either. All I could get was that he lives on a mountain (also named Chang You, confusingly), sounded like a person singing, and was an omen of floods in the area, hence the water. He has some overlap with Wuzhiqi, another flood-associated primate, though they don't seem to be related. Perhaps in another sh*tpost....

Next!

Last but not least, Tao Tie! He's actually part of a set with Hundun that I'll talk about some other time that parallels the 4(5) Guardian Beasts called the 4 Fiends. This guy eats everything. The only thing that kept him from eating the whole world was accidentally eating itself!

Whew.

I feel better now, and I totally still don't need these figures at all. Nope, I don't need them one bit!

Seriously.

I don't.

Sh*tpost Masterlist

#mythology sh*tposting #my mom said these were too geeky #no such thing #chinese mythology #journey to the west #bingfeng #jttw #feifei #di niao #tao tie #chang you #liu'er mihou #six eared macaque #wuzhiqi #pop mart #pop mart figures #unfolding the classics series #lmk #lego monkie kid

[m00n-d34r3st]

I been quiet for awhile, but I know the white masked monkey was possibly inspiration for him, but in the line of o wukong having four siblings, what if Macaque was really the youngest and forgotten or barley mentioned sibling out of the five. I'm on team Macaque's a bitch, but to have siblings be gods, rulers of their own kingdoms, masters of their craft, well respected, and celestial beings that no one would fuck with I will be throwing up and crying, cause that is prime villain origin story.

#sun wukong #six eared macaque #Lishan Laomu #wuzhiqi #to be fair their older brother also also don't have a name #but he actually has a title as an sage and then the white masked monkey is literally just the third son #very much they don't need to know my name to know who I am vs you are literally an afterthrough😭 #we can both acknowledge that macaque is fucked beyond sight and that he went through alot of trauma #I can walk and chee bubblegum

[spotsupstuff]

monkey design work for your viewing pleasure- and also finally an introduction for FT!Beng n Ba.. took long enough jaysus fuck its almost been a year

#lego monkie kid #lmk #lmk sun wukong #lmk monkey king #lmk general beng #lmk general ba #lmk baiyuan #lmk wuzhiqi #fruit twins au #my art #-gestures to all of them- lookit all these Chickens

[wuzhiqi-enj0yer]

Finally made a design I liked for Sun Wukong’s sisters , Lishan Laomu (離山老母, Venerable Mother of Mount Li) and Wuzhiqi Shengmu (巫支祇聖母, Holy Mother Wuzhiqi) after reading this article by @journeytothewestresearch

#lmk oc #lmk oc art #jttw #journey to the west #lego monkie kid oc #monkie kid oc #Lishan laomu #Wuzhiqi shengmu #my artwork #:)

[muffinsouffle]

What is MKs and Wuzhiqi Shengmus relationship like ? Friends, aunt and nephew, siblings oooor something else ?

Their relationship in the beginning was very distant since Wuzhiqi isn't very social and MK, meeting someone who "probably" is one of the eldest yaoguai in this realm and historians didn't have many information about her, want to help her open up and befriend him and the monkie kid crew. But then she starts to be protective, like Monkey King to MK and his friends, but she's still learning to be interactive since it's her first time to see someone who's the same as her species (even the little monkeys), been locked under a mountain for mostly thousands of years without any social interaction and her family being no longer in this realm.

And I'm here to say in my perspective, if Monkey King and MK's relationship is kind of an uncle and nephew/brothers vibes to me, then Wuzhiqi would be his aunt/sister.

#ask #lego monkie kid #lmk sun wukong #lmk mk #wuzhiqi #Wuzhiqi Shengmu #ask me anything

[ghostly-creator]

SHENGMU!! next up, Xinghe (aka our Six-eared favorite)

#journey to the west #jttw #jttw fanart #wuzhiqi #wuzhiqi shengmu #four celestial primates #four monkeys of havoc #long armed gibbon

[lexintothenex]

HAPPY BIRTHING LEX ❗️❗️❗️❗️❗️❗️❗️❗️❗️

THANK YOU!! I have been BIRTHED... (many years ago)

#THE IMAGE LMAO 😭😭😭 #asks #wuzhiqi-enj0yer

[the-monkey-ruler]

so i did a deep dive today for this thank you for the new headcanon

i’m thinking yuán as in 猿 - 犭 = 袁

ape - animal radical = long cloth

like how 猻 - 犭 = 孫 = 孙 (simplified)

猻 is from 猴猻 hóusūn which means monkey

monkey - animal radical = grandson

孙悟空 • sūn wùkōng • grandson awakened to nothingness

袁巫支祁 • yuán wūzhīqí • long cloth great shaman/witch/sorcerer/wizard to support/bear/sustain

if you look at old chinese paintings of gibbons, they look like they have black bodies and white heads

btw i high recommend an evaluation of robert van gulik’s the gibbon in china and its place in modern sinological discourse on the academia app. it’s free and ripe with information about how gibbons were viewed and depicted in ancient china. robert’s book is damn expensive tho. i envy anyone who has their hands on it.

here’s an excerpt that surprised me:

The third theme is suggested in the following: “The gibbon is better than the monkey , the former is clean, gentle and recluse, the latter is dirty, noisy, greedy and vulgar” (“Mei yuan su hou”美猿俗猴) (TGIC 58). RvG thought this idea was pragmatic. Ancient Chinese literati like Wu Yun (“Poem of the Black Gibbon”) (TGIC 54-56), Li Deyu (“Poem of the White Gibbon) (TGIC 56-57), and Liu Zongyuan 柳完元 (773–819)21 (“Essay on the Hateful Monkey-breed” or “Zeng wangsun wen” 憎王孙文) (TGIC 54-56). Each compared the quarrelsome and volatile monkey with the aloof gibbon (TGIC 56). The lament is evidently directed against the people at court who caused their patron’s downfall (TGIC 57). Wu Yün, Li Deyu and Liu Zongyuan contrasted the violent and vulgar monkey with the high-minded and well-behaved gibbon. So the monkey is described as greedy, cruel and undependable, and ugly in appearance” (TGIC 57).

oh and the novel calls wūzhīqí great sage water ape… they were totally born from water. water egg? water womb?

and since it’s semi-popular in lmk fandom to make six-eared macaque a wind monkey due to the macaque king, that would leave red-buttocked horse monkey a fire monkey. red is the color of fire and the horse’s element is fire. in buddhism there are 4 great elements: earth, water, fire, and air so it all weirdly fits.

Oh damn you did such an AMAZING deep dive in both the language and history!! I adore it!!

I am aware the theory that Macaque King is the Six Ears is a common theory and with that the tie in with being the Great Sage of Ventilation, not just in LMK.

It would be cool if the Spiritual Primates had a connection to the elements, even if it is not the five. I actually forget that Buddism had its own elements that are technical since I always counted akasa/space.

But perhaps if the idea that each primate is also birthed from inanimate objects perhaps something like

Stone - Wukong

Pearl - Wuzhiqi / Gibbon

Magma - Baboon

Tree Root - Macaque (since air is also connected to wood in Chinese lore)

If they were ever to use the Gibbon as either the same Wuzhiqi from the Yuan Xiyouji she would be an amazing addition, or perhaps they could have used the Sage leaning background as well. In either case, there's so much history when it comes to both primate lore that I really think there can be a lot done with these findings

#anonymous #anon #jttw #anon ask #journey to the west #xiyouji #primordial primates #spiritual monkeys #celestial monkeys #fantastic read you suggested! #I hope I can get on that soon! #wuzhiqi #wu zhiqi #red bottom baboon #red bottom mandrill #red bottom horse monkey #long armed gibbon #bare armed gibbon #six eared macaque #ask

[lady-lmc]

An au from another au???? What?!

(Swap brothers au by @wuzhiqi-enj0yer) (these versions of Letícia and Glass are not canon for my au! It's just an idea I had!)

Bonus~

#mega man fully charged #mmfc #mmfc au #mmfc oc #au #oc #fanart #non canon