A few weeks ago I wrote this article exploring the surprising parallels between the literary warriors Sun Wukong from Journey to the West and Wu Song from the Water Margin.
Each is:
- A reformed supernatural spirit previously imprisoned under stone.
- A tiger-killer.
- Nicknamed "Pilgrim" (, i.e. traveling monk).
- An Unruly martial monk who likes to drink and fight.
- Wears a golden fillet ().
- Fights with a bin steel () weapon.
This was a fun piece to write because it helped me better visualize the cultural and literary landscape in which both characters developed. Both have a deep connection to warrior monks, appearing as staff-wielding “Pilgrims” in oral literature as far back as the 13th-century.