| “ | I'm the real Wukong. | „ |
| ~ The Six Eared Macaque trying to convince people that he is the real Sun Wukong. |
The Six Eared Macaque, also known as the Fake Sun Wukong, is a major antagonist in the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West and its multiple adaptations. As his name suggested, he is a macaque with six ears that is as powerful as Sun Wukong himself, and impersonates Wukong with the intention of go to the West and receive all the scriptures and the Buddhahood himself.
Appearance[]
For most of his appearance, the Six Eared Macaque disguised as Sun Wukong, thus his appearance looks identical to the real Wukong himself. When revealed his true form, he is a macaque with six ears.
Personality[]
Not much is known about the Six Eared Macaque's personality since he poses as Wukong for most of his appearance, however he represents what Wukong could become had the latter chose power and chaotic freedom over protecting Sanzang. He also appears to be power hungry, as not only does he take over Wukong's throne, he also tries to take over the Buddhahood that is supposed to be given to the real Monkey King. However, he appears to be somewhat cowardly than the real Wukong, as he tries to flee once the Buddha exposes his true identity.
Biography[]
Past[]
According to the Buddha, like Sun Wukong, the Six Eared Macaque is a magical monkey, who has supernatural abilities. His six ears allow him to listen to everything, which makes him nigh-omniscient. It is possible that, like Wukong, he was born from a magical rock, technically would make him Wukong's sibling.
Journey to the West[]
The Six Eared Macaque first appears disguising as Sun Wukong, not long after Sanzang sent the real Wukong away for the second time (ever since the Baigujing incident). He offers Sanzang a bowl of rice, but the latter angrily refuses, which causes him to beat the monk unconscious.
Later on, Sha Wujing meets him in Mount Huaguo, believing him to be Wukong. The macaque tells Sha Wujing that his desire is to go to the West and receive all the scriptures and the Buddhahood himself, as well as revealing that he has made his own Sanzang's party, all are monkeys in disguises. This angered Wujing, who kills the fake Wujing, before meeting the real Wukong and rants at him. The two head back to the mountain, where Wukong meets the macaque, and the two battle.
Despite all of the deities' best effort, only one can tell them apart, but says that only the Buddha can capture the imposter. The two then fight in front of the Buddha, who uses his magical bowl to capture the macaque, forcing him to revert back to his true form. In anger, Wukong kills the macaque.
Powers and Abilities[]
The Six Eared Macaque is a very good actor, able to impersonate Wukong not only in appearance, but personality as well. He can even able to fake the weapons, making them possess similar powers like Wukong's. Only the Buddha and another one deity can tell the difference between him and the real Wukong.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- The Six Eared Macaque is one of the most popular Journey to the West villains, alongside the Red Boy, the Bull Demon King, Princess Iron Fan, and the Baigujing.
- The Six Eared Macaque represents Wukong's dark side, so killing him symbolizes that Wukong has purged himself from of his evil. This is evident when Wukong is shown to be more peaceful after killing the Macaque.
- He appears as a villain in Black Myth: Wukong.