In the fantastical world of Journey to the West, there is a character who enters the story shrouded in mystery: the Bull King. After Sun Wukong claimed dominion over Mount Huaguo and seized the Golden Hoop from the Dragon Palace, he began an exhilarating period of making friends with worthy companions. It was during this time that the Bull King made his entrance into the tale, swearing brotherhood with Sun Wukong and six other demon kings, self-styling himself as the “Heavenly Saint” and becoming their elder brother.
At that time, Sun Wukong was young, brimming with spirit and displaying his supernatural powers. the Bull King’s recognition as the elder brother among such outstanding figures speaks volumes of his own strength and prestige. the Bull King and the other demon kings engaged in discussions about literature and martial arts daily, drinking and reveling together in great joy. These carefree and extravagant days sparked curiosity among readers regarding the identity and strength of the Bull King. Who is this formidable figure, able to befriend the fearless Sun Wukong and be revered as their elder brother?
the Bull King possesses powers similar to Sun Wukong and Erlang Shen, including the Seventy-two transformations. In the entire book, only Erlang Shen, Sun Wukong, and the Bull King have these transformations. The author also mentioned that the Bull King has abilities comparable to Sun Wukong, but is somewhat clumsy due to his size, making him less agile. This is quite normal, as he is larger in stature, while Sun Wukong is smaller and thus more nimble.
In terms of magical spells, the Bull King is also adept at cloud riding, decapitation and regeneration, water-dodging, and a lower-tier version of the Magic of Universe. It could be said that the Bull King is a bulkier, more formidable version of Sun Wukong. However, in some respects, the Bull King may even surpass Sun Wukong. Besides his own strength, he has the Bishui Golden-Eyed Beast as a steed, a wife, biological brothers, children, and concubines, all of whom are significant demons in their own rights.
the Bull King’s prowess is not only reflected in his supernatural powers but also in the vast influence and extensive network he has in the demon realm. His circle of friends extends throughout the demon world, with deep connections to various demon kings. Notably, his relationship with the Dragon King of the Ten Thousand Holy Beasts is particularly close. The Dragon King is the lord of the Blue Wave Pool and holds a prominent position in the demon realm, indicating the Bull King’s exceptional social skills. One could say that the Bull King’s family influence is intricately woven, with significant power at each critical location. His friends and family together create a sprawling network of influence, solidifying his status in the demon realm. Within this network, the Bull King serves as the central core, coordinating various factions and controlling the situation.
The origins of the Bull King are not explicitly explained in Journey to the West, but from various details within the text, we can uncover some clues that reveal a fragment of his mysterious background. the Bull King, also known as the Great Strength King, is a character from the classical novel Journey to the West. He is the husband of the Rakshasi and the father of Red Boy.
In his early years, the Bull King formed a brotherhood with Sun Wukong and six other demon kings on Mount Huaguo, proclaiming himself “Heavenly Saint.” He later married the Rakshasi and entered the family of Princess Jade Countenance, residing for a time in her Cave of Moyun. While Tang Seng and his disciples were on their pilgrimage to the Western Paradise and passed through the Flaming Mountains, Sun Wukong, in a scheme to borrow the Banana Fan, bullied the Rakshasi, provoking the Bull King’s wrath and leading to a fierce battle between the two. Though the Bull King ultimately faced defeat against the combined forces of Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, and the Earth Deities, Sun Wukong could never fully subdue him. In the end, he was compelled to yield under the assault from the Guardian deity and heavenly generals, and was taken westward by Nezha.
There are various theories regarding the Bull King’s origins. One belief suggests that he is the reincarnation of the Bull of the Tongtian Sect Leader, a character from The Investiture of the Gods, but this claim has not been definitively verified. Another interpretation is that the Bull King symbolizes the sacred cow revered in Indian culture; in India, cows are seen as holy and inviolable, and this cultural backdrop may have influenced the portrayal of the Bull King in Journey to the West.
In the narrative of Journey to the West, the Bull King is ultimately subdued by the joint forces of the Celestial Court and Buddhism. This resolution not only showcases the Bull King’s immense power but also reflects his significant role and complexity within the story.
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