2019

Journey to the West

Monkey Elder, also known as the Old Monkey or the Wise Old Monkey, is a minor but crucial character in the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. He resides on the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit and is depicted as a wise and knowledgeable simian leader.

Unlike the other monkeys, Monkey Elder possesses a higher level of understanding and foresight. He is the one who advises Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, to seek out a human teacher in order to learn the ways of immortality and escape the cycle of reincarnation.

This advice is pivotal in setting Sun Wukong on his path to becoming a powerful and rebellious immortal, eventually leading him to Xuanzang and the epic journey to retrieve Buddhist scriptures from the West. While he doesn't directly participate in the main adventure, Monkey Elder's guidance is the catalyst for much of the story.

He represents wisdom, tradition, and the importance of seeking knowledge, playing a key role in shaping the Monkey King's destiny.