Sun Wukong: The First Superhero?
Who is your number one superhero? One of the most popular characters from the novella, and all of Chinese literature, is Sun Wukong. You might know of him as the clever, daring and defiantly mischievous hero also called the Monkey King. His character is unmistakable and iconic and we’ve chosen him as the focus of this week’s post. He has a reputation for being impulsive and unruly, but as we discover, this fictional character has a big, big heart, using his magical powers acquired through the practice of spiritual cultivation to defeat evil demons, protecting the Buddhist monk Tang Seng on his epic quest to obtain the Buddhist scriptures from ancient India. From centuries ago to the present day, he’s garnered quite the fan base... Here are some essential facts you need to know about this beloved monkey:Every superhero has a powerful weapon. Sun Wukong chose his own: a magic iron staff weighing 8100kg that he can expand or shrink at will. During his Taoist cultivation, Sun Wukong develops the ability to transform into 72 different things. Not only can he shape-shift, he has super-strength, and he can also fly and make monkey clones from the hairs on his head. He is immune to lightning and fire. Even an army of 100,000 Heavenly Warriors is no match for him. Sun Wukong was once given detention of 500 years when his rampant behavior was quelled once and for all by the almighty Buddha, who placed him under a giant mountain and gave Sun Wukong some much needed time for reflection. Fundamentally, he’s not really a bad monkey, but actually a loyal Taoist disciple at heart who finds his true purpose when given the noble task of protecting monk Tang Seng. He devotes his time and energies to doing good and ultimately fulfills his greatest potential. Many of Sun Wukong’s adventures have been brought to life on stage through Shen Yun’s adaptations. Not only are the story-based dances entertaining and memorable for children and adults alike (we’re all big kids at heart!), they also carry important moral lessons that are great for our kids to learn from and emulate. One of our favorite stage pieces tells the story of Monkey King and the Fire Mountain:
Storytelling then and now
Many of the fond memories we recall from childhood revolve around the amazing stories that inspired our imaginations and creative potential. For those of us who grew up in an Asian household, much of this excitement involved the legendary Sun Wukong, following his adventures to meet heavenly beings and discover new worlds. Through such stories, a slice of tradition and culture is passed down and preserved, from generation to generation. All over the world, we connect with our family and cultural roots through a simple and powerful form of storytelling. Chinese families have been telling the story of Journey to the West since the 16th century! We remember being told those same classic stories by our parents, grandparents, cousins, and teachers, just like our grandparents’ parents, and their parents before them. When it comes to our own kids, we treasure the moments when we can share in the simple joys of superheroes and magical adventures and take a step back from the busy day-to-day to dedicate time to them.The adventures of Monkey King: The Magical Monkey King Collection
Get ready for the holidays! Encourage your child to start the new year with a bright and curious attitude like Monkey King.
Dive into new heroic adventures with our educational coloring book! Featuring well known stories from Journey to the West plus beautiful hand drawn illustrations, it’s the perfect way to keep kids engaged on vacation. Get creative with the timeless tale of the Monkey King and once school starts, your little explorer will be ready for a whole new adventure of their own with stories to tell to friends old and new. Get yours now!
...Why should the adults miss out? On stage, Monkey joins Shen Yun to overcome evil in dramatic story dances. As a bookmark, he readies to defend your page in the most mischievous way possible. Treat yourself to a little bit of luxury with our bestselling Monkey King bookmark, lined in 24 carat gold.
