Is Macaque Sun Wukong's brother?

Yes, Macaque is often depicted as a brother of Sun Wukong in various adaptations and retellings of the Journey to the West story, but this is not part of the original classic novel. The idea of Macaque being a sibling or relative of Sun Wukong comes from later interpretations and adaptations, especially in modern media, such as in some video games, movies, and alternative retellings of the myth.

In Journey to the West:

In the original text by Wu Cheng’en, there is no direct mention of Macaque being Sun Wukong's brother. However, Sun Wukong does have a brother-like relationship with a variety of characters, especially with other monkeys or deities that share similar rebellious or mischievous characteristics. One such figure is Zhu Bajie (Pigsy), who, along with Sha Wujing (Sandy), forms the group of protectors and companions for Xuánzàng (Tripitaka).

Macaque in Modern Adaptations:

In modern adaptations, particularly in video games and some TV shows (such as Black Myth: Wukong), the character of Macaque is often portrayed as a rival or even a sibling to Sun Wukong. This figure is sometimes depicted as a shadow or dark counterpart to Wukong, embodying qualities like deceit, jealousy, or rebellion that mirror Wukong’s own nature.

For instance:

• In some adaptations, Macaque is shown as a similarly powerful and immortal monkey who competes with or challenges Sun Wukong for dominance, sometimes even acting as a foil to Wukong’s character development.
• Macaque’s character can often be found in mythological stories or fantasy works that take inspiration from Journey to the West and incorporate new elements or interpretations.

Role of Macaque in Black Myth: Wukong:

In the upcoming game Black Myth: Wukong (which is based on Journey to the West), Macaque appears as a major character. He is depicted as a shadowy and more sinister figure who acts as a rival to Sun Wukong. In this game, their relationship is framed as one of brotherly rivalry, with Macaque possessing powers that challenge Wukong’s dominance, and the two often at odds due to their shared history and contrasting personalities.

Conclusion:

While Macaque is not Sun Wukong's biological brother in the original Journey to the West, he is often portrayed as a brotherly figure or rival in various modern adaptations. This relationship adds depth to the mythos, exploring themes of rivalry, power, and identity. In some versions, Macaque’s connection to Wukong is one of competitive camaraderie, with the two being depicted as mirrors of each other—one representing the light and the other the dark side of the same primal energy.