Loading...
Key Details
Type
RealmMythology
Chinese Pantheon
Realm
Mythological / Non-physical
About This Location
Ao Guang's hall, the iron staff
The Crystal Palace of the Eastern Sea belongs to the dragon king Ao Guang. Sun Wukong demands a weapon and takes the Ruyi Jingu Bang, the needle that measured the sea. Journey to the West chapter 3 is the scene. Dragon kings of the four seas are older in folk religion; this palace visit is the novel's. No separate ancient epic of the staff exists. The hall is where a monkey steals the measure of the deep.
Primary Sources
“The Dragon King said: This is the iron used to measure the depth of the Heavenly River. The monkey took it, and it became a staff.”
More from Chinese Pantheon
Mount Kunlun
MountainThe mythical mountain paradise in the west, dwelling of Xiwangmu (Queen Mother of the West) and source of the peaches of immortality.
The Heavenly Palace
RealmThe opulent celestial court of the Jade Emperor, where the celestial bureaucracy governs all of heaven and earth. Also known as the Lingxiao Palace, it is the seat of divine government.
Flaming Mountains
MountainA range of scorching mountains created when Sun Wukong kicked over Laozi's alchemical furnace during his rampage in Heaven. The monk Tang Sanzang and his disciples had to obtain the Banana Leaf Fan from Princess Iron Fan to extinguish the flames and pass through.
Five Elements Mountain
MountainThe mountain created by Buddha to imprison Sun Wukong for 500 years after his rebellion against Heaven. The Buddha placed a seal on the mountain, and only the destined pilgrim Tang Sanzang could release the Monkey King.
Mountain of Flowers and Fruit
MountainThe mystical mountain in the Eastern Sea where Sun Wukong was born from a stone egg. Behind the Water Curtain Cave, he established his kingdom of monkeys and ruled as their king before seeking immortality.
Guanghan Palace
RealmThe Palace of Cold Vastness on the moon, where Chang'e lives in eternal solitude after drinking the elixir of immortality. She is accompanied only by the Jade Rabbit and the woodcutter Wu Gang.