Journey to the West

Author: Wu Cheng'en
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2001-03-01
Features: Journey to the West, a Ming Dynasty chaptered novel, is one of China's four great classical literary masterpieces. It is generally believed to have been written by Wu Cheng'en. Although the story revolves around Tang Sanzang's pilgrimage to the West, its main theme is to praise the heroic spirit of those who defy tyranny, fight bravely, disdain hardships, and pursue success. The idealized character that vividly embodies this creative theme is Sun Wukong. The first seven chapters narrate the story of Sun Wukong's birth, quest for enlightenment, rebellion in the Dragon Palace, and chaos in Heaven, showcasing his love for freedom and courage to rebel. Chapters 13 to 100 depict his journey protecting Tang Sanzang to the West, subduing demons along the way, and overcoming 81 trials to finally succeed, praising his indomitable spirit and determination to eliminate evil. Among these, 41 stories are relatively independent, primarily focusing on the various conflicts during the pilgrimage, including struggles between the pilgrims and various demons, battles against unexpected harsh environments, and conflicts among the four disciples. Rich in imagination, full of twists and turns, and filled with suspense, it is a new peak in the development of Chinese romantic literature.
A poem goes:
"Before chaos divided, heaven and earth were in disarray,
Boundless and empty, unseen by anyone.
Since Pan Gu broke the primordial chaos,
Heaven and earth were separated, clear and turbid.
All creatures looked up to the supreme benevolence,
And all things were born good.
To know the origin of creation,
You must read Journey to the West.
It is said that the cycle of heaven's numbers is 129,600 years, known as one yuan. This yuan is divided into 12 hui, corresponding to the 12 earthly branches: Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao, Chen, Si, Wu, Wei, Shen, You, Xu, and Hai. Each hui lasts 18,000 years. Taking a day as an example:
At Zi time, the yang qi arises, and at the next zhen, the rooster crows;
At Yin time, the light does not pass, but at Mao time, the sun rises;
At Chen time, after eating, at Si time, things are arranged;
At Wu time, at the height of the day, at Wei time, the sun sets to the west;
At Shen time, at dusk, the sun sets at You time, and at Xu time, people settle at Hai time.
Like the great numbers, when the end of the You hui arrives, heaven and earth grow dim, and all things decline. Then, 5,400 years later, at the beginning of the Hai hui, it becomes dark, and all creatures vanish—hence chaos.
Another 5,400 years later, as the Hai hui nears its end, the virtue of the next yuan begins, approaching the Zi hui, and gradually becomes enlightened. Shao Yong said:
"Midwinter marks the half of Zi;
The heart of heaven remains unchanged.
When the first yang moves, all things are yet unborn."
At this point, heaven gains its root.
Another 5,400 years later, in the Zi hui, the light and clear rise upward, with sun, moon, stars, and constellations appearing. Sun, moon, stars, and constellations are called the Four Symbols. Thus, it is said that heaven opens in Zi.
After another 5,400 years, as the Zi hui nears its end, approaching the Chou hui, it gradually solidifies. The I Ching says:
"Great is the origin of the yang!
Great is the origin of the yin!
All things are born, following the heavens."
At this point, the earth begins to condense.
Another 5,400 years later, in the Chou hui, the heavy and turbid descend, with water, fire, mountains, stones, and earth appearing. Water, fire, mountains, stones, and earth are called the Five Forms. Thus, it is said that the earth opens in Chou.
After another 5,400 years, as the Chou hui ends and the Yin hui begins, all things grow. The Book of Changes says:
"Air descends, earth rises;
Heaven and earth meet, and all things are born."
At this point, heaven is clear and the earth is fresh, with yin and yang intertwined.
Another 5,400 years later, in the Yin hui, humans, beasts, and birds are born—this is the time when heaven, earth, and humans, the Three Powers, are established. Thus, it is said that humans are born in Yin.
Inspired by Pan Gu's creation, the Three Emperors ruled, and the Five Emperors established order. The world was then divided into four great continents:
Dongsheng Shenzhou (East), Xiniu Heshou (West), Nanzhanbu (South), and Beijuluo (North).
This book focuses on Dongsheng Shenzhou. Offshore lies a kingdom called Aolai. Near the sea stands a mountain named Huaguo Mountain. This mountain is the ancestral vein of the ten regions and the dragon source of the three islands. It was born when chaos separated, and formed after the primordial chaos was divided.