Sun Wu-Kung (en chino tradicional: 孫悟空 simplificado: 孙悟空 pinyin: Sūn Wùkōng; Wade-Giles: Sun Wu-k'ung; también surn vukorn), conocido como el Rey Mono, es el protagonista de la novela clásica épica china Viaje al Oeste, basado en las historias populares que se remontan a la dinastía Tang. La novela narra su existencia desde su nacimiento, se dedica particularmente en como acompañó al monje Xuanzang, también conocido como Sanzang o Tangseng, para recuperar los sutras budistas de la India. Algunos eruditos[cita requerida] creen que está inspirado en la leyenda de Hánuman, el héroe mono hindú del libro épico Ramayana. Sun Wukong posee una fuerza increíble, tiene la facultad de levantar su Ruyi Jingu Bang de 13 500 jīn (8100 kg) con facilidad. Puede moverse a gran velocidad, atravesando 108 000 li (54 000 kilómetros) de un solo salto. Sun conoce 72 transformaciones, lo que le permite transmutarse en distintos animales y objetos. Sin embargo, se le muestra teniendo leves problemas al transformarse en otras personas, ya que no logra completar la transformación de su cola. Es un virtuoso luchador, capaz de darles la batalla a los mejores generales del Cielo. Cada uno de sus vellos posee propiedades mágicas, de manera que puede transformarlos en sus clones, en armas, animales u otros objetos. También sabe varios hechizos para dirigir el viento, separar el agua, conjurar círculos protectores contra demonios, congelar hombres, demonios y deidades, por nombrar algunos. A diferencia de la mayoría de los dioses, Sun Wukong ganó su inmortalidad combatiendo por Cielo y Tierra.

Leer el artículo completo en Wikipedia · CC-BY-SA

Sun Wukong, also known as the Monkey King, is a mythological figure who features in a body of legends, which can be traced back to the period of the Song dynasty. He appears as a main character in the 16th century Chinese classical novel Journey to the West. Sun Wukong is also found in many later stories and adaptations. In the novel, he is a monkey born from a stone who acquires supernatural powers through Taoist practices. After rebelling against heaven and being imprisoned under a mountain by the Buddha, he later accompanies the monk Xuanzang on a journey to retrieve Buddhist sutras from India. Sun Wukong possesses immense strength; he is able to lift his 13,500 jīn (7,960 kilograms (17,550 lb)) staff with ease. He is also extremely fast, able to travel 108,000 li (21,675 kilometres (13,468 mi)) in one somersault. (Note that this is more than half way around the world.) Sun knows 72 transformations, which allow him to transform into various animals and objects; however, he is troubled in transforming into other forms, due to the accompanying incomplete transformation of his tail. Sun Wukong is a skilled fighter, capable of holding his own against the best warriors of heaven. Each of his hairs possess magical properties, capable of being transformed into clones of the Monkey King himself, and/or into various weapons, animals, and other objects. He knows spells to command wind, part water, conjure protective circles against demons, and freeze humans, demons, and gods alike. One of the most enduring Chinese literary characters, Sun Wukong has a varied background and colorful cultural history. Sun Wukong's origin is from the White Monkey legends from the Chinese Chu kingdom (700–223 BC), who revered gibbons and especially white-colored ones. These legends gave rise to stories and art motifs during the Han dynasty, eventually contributing to the rise of the Sun Wukong figure. Sun Wukong was initially developed as a Taoist immortal before being incorporated into Buddhist myths. He is also considered by some scholars to be influenced by elements of both Chinese folklore and the Hindu deity Hanuman from the Ramayana.

Leer el artículo completo en Wikipedia · CC-BY-SA