Is Nezha older than Wukong?
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In terms of mythology, Nezha and Sun Wukong (the Monkey King) have distinct timelines, but in general, Sun Wukong is considered to be older than Nezha.
Sun Wukong (Monkey King):
Sun Wukong, a central character in the classic novel "Journey to the West" (西游记), is typically depicted as being born from a stone egg that was formed from a magical stone on the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit. He gains supernatural powers through Taoist teachings and becomes the King of Monkeys. Wukong is already a powerful and skilled being when he rebels against the heavens and later embarks on the journey with Xuanzang and the other disciples. His story occurs long before Nezha's.
Nezha:
Nezha is often depicted as a youthful hero who was born to the sage Li Jing and his wife in a rather unusual manner. Nezha’s birth is considered a divine and miraculous event, as he is said to have been created from a lotus flower after his mother carried him for three years. In most versions of Nezha's story, he is considered a child or young warrior who engages in great battles and faces significant challenges to prove himself. His story takes place later in the timeline of Chinese mythology compared to Wukong’s adventures.
Who is Older?
- Sun Wukong is typically portrayed as the older figure in their mythologies, as his birth and rebellion against the heavens happen long before Nezha's birth.
- Nezha is often depicted as a youthful figure, even though his powers and feats make him seem much older than his physical age.
In summary, Sun Wukong is older than Nezha in terms of their stories and mythological timelines. While both characters are incredibly powerful, they exist in different contexts and periods in Chinese mythology, with Wukong appearing first and Nezha coming later.