Dragon Palace Family Drama in Journey to the West
An intriguing analysis of why Gold Horn and Silver Horn, two supernatural beings from China’s classic novel Journey to the West, acknowledged a nine-tailed fox spirit as their mother, revealing complex familial relationships in Chinese mythology.
The relationship between Gold Horn, Silver Horn, and the nine-tailed fox spirit in Journey to the West presents a fascinating case study in Chinese mythological family dynamics. At first glance, it seems peculiar that these two powerful beings, described as attendants of the Jade Emperor himself, would recognize a seemingly ordinary fox spirit as their mother.
The mystery deepens when examining their dwelling place. The Nine-Tailed Fox resided in the Dragon-Pressing Cave, a name laden with significance in Chinese mythology. This cave’s name suggests a connection to higher powers, as “pressing” the dragon implies authority over these divine creatures.
Their supernatural abilities and treasures further illuminate their relationship. The brothers possessed five precious weapons granted by the Jade Emperor: a golden rope, a purple-gold gourd, a jade bottle, a palm-leaf fan, and a seven-star sword. Notably, the golden rope remained with their mother in the Dragon-Pressing Cave, symbolizing their familial bond.
The text reveals that Gold Horn and Silver Horn were actually transformed beings. The phrase “entrusted to transform” appears when the Taoist patriarch explains their origin, indicating they underwent a spiritual metamorphosis. This transformation process, common in Chinese mythology, allowed divine beings to take different forms while maintaining their essential nature.
Their mother-child relationship becomes more understandable when considering Chinese mythological concepts of spiritual lineage. In traditional Chinese folklore, supernatural beings could form legitimate family bonds regardless of their original forms. The nine-tailed fox, a powerful creature in Chinese mythology, possessed sufficient spiritual cultivation to be the mother of such formidable beings.
This familial connection ultimately proved crucial to the story’s development. When Sun Wukong defeated the nine-tailed fox, it profoundly affected Gold Horn and Silver Horn’s subsequent actions, demonstrating the depth of their family bonds despite their transformed nature.
Their story exemplifies how Journey to the West masterfully weaves together elements of Chinese mythology, family relationships, and supernatural transformation, creating a rich tapestry of interconnected narratives that continue to captivate readers centuries later.
The complex relationship between these characters reflects broader themes in Chinese mythology about the fluid nature of identity, the importance of family bonds, and the interconnectedness of the mortal and immortal realms. Their story serves as a reminder that in Chinese mythology, family relationships transcend physical forms and original natures.