Story Summary
Discover the legendary tale of The Flaming Mountains from Journey to the West, where Sun Wukong must outsmart Princess Iron Fan to quench eternal flames.
As the pilgrims journeyed westward, they encountered a wall of fire: the Flaming Mountains. The heat was unbearable, and the only way to quench the flames was with the magical Banana Leaf Fan owned by Princess Iron Fan. Sun Wukong approached the Princess, but she harbored a grudge against him for his role in her son Red Boy’s capture. She refused to lend the fan, blowing Wukong away with a single gust. After multiple attempts—including shrinking himself to enter her stomach and transforming into her husband, the Bull Demon King—Wukong finally engaged in a monumental battle against the Bull Demon King himself. With the assistance of heavenly deities, the Monkey King subdued the demon and secured the fan. With three mighty swings, he extinguished the eternal fires and cooled the earth, allowing the pilgrims to continue their sacred quest toward India.
The Moral
Persistence and wit are necessary to overcome obstacles, but the consequences of past actions often create the very hurdles we must face.
“Borrow the fan to quench the fire; only then can the seeker find the Way.”
Fun Fact
The real Flaming Mountains in Xinjiang are one of the hottest places on Earth, with surface temperatures sometimes reaching over 70 degrees Celsius.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of The Flaming Mountains?
The story teaches that overcoming great challenges requires both physical strength and clever strategy. It also highlights how past conflicts can return to haunt us, requiring reconciliation or further effort to resolve.
How did Sun Wukong get the Banana Leaf Fan?
After several failed attempts and being blown away by the fan's wind, Wukong used a Wind-Fixing Pill. He eventually tricked Princess Iron Fan by transforming into her husband and later fought the Bull Demon King to secure the real fan.
Why were the Flaming Mountains on fire?
The mountains were created when Sun Wukong kicked over the Eight Trigrams Furnace in Heaven 500 years earlier. The glowing coals fell to earth, creating a perpetual inferno that blocked the path to the West.
Who is Princess Iron Fan?
Princess Iron Fan is a powerful rakshasi and the wife of the Bull Demon King. She is the mother of Red Boy and possesses a magical fan made of a banana leaf that can create whirlwinds and extinguish fires.
Where are the real Flaming Mountains located?
The legend is based on a real geographical location in the Xinjiang region of China. These mountains are known for their striking red sandstone gullies and intense summer heat.
How many times did Wukong have to fan the mountains?
Sun Wukong had to use the fan three times. The first swing extinguished the flames, the second swing created a cooling breeze, and the third swing brought rain to moisten the soil.