Li jing ne zha series#

Which might be why he is so popular, in this sense he is more ‘human’ than other mythological characters. Therefore, Ne Zha, despite being a demigod, encompasses all that is good and evil, holding the power and will to do both. But if I had to venture a guess, I would say it is because the Spirit Pearl was created from the spirit power and essence of both Yin and Yang, Order and Chaos (where the Heaven and Sun represent Yin, and the Earth and Moon represent Yang).

Personal note: I have not come across any specific reason in my research as to why Ne Zha is both good and evil at the same time – the vast majority of deities and immortals are either one or the other. Tai Yi Zhen Ren took Ne Zha under his wing and taught him “the way” in accordance with Daoist teachings, knowing very well in his heart that this child was destined to do both great and terrible things. Soon after, a Daoist immortal, Tai Yi Zhen Ren (太乙真人 tài yǐ zhēn rén), arrived and requested that Ne Zha be his disciple. Ne Zha was born with these two treasures (the Universe Ring (乾坤圈 qián kūn quān) and the Armillary Sash (混天绫 hùn tiān líng)) and the ability to walk and talk. All of a sudden a fully grown child jumped out wearing a golden bracelet on one arm, wrapped in a red sash. He took up his sword and swung at the ball of flesh, piercing the surface. Her husband, Li Jing (李靖 lǐ jìng), a military commander and Lord of Chen Tang Guan (陈塘关 chén táng guān), was stunned by the sight and feared that his wife had given birth to some form of demon. The next day she went into labour, but instead of a child, she birthed what seemed to be a ball of flesh. The baby in her womb was the reincarnation of the Spirit Pearl.

For unbeknownst to her, that she birth this child was the will of the eternal, limitless and formless Yuan Shi Tian Zun (元始天尊 yuán shǐ tiān zūn), the most supreme of all beings. He swept his magical whisk across her belly and asked her to accept this special child that had been bestowed upon her, and to call him Ne Zha. The night before his birth, Lady Yin had a dream where she was visited by a Daoist immortal. Lady Yin (殷夫人 yīn fū rén), was pregnant with Ne Zha for 3 years and 6 months before she finally gave birth to her third son.

As the story goes, the pearl, imbued with Heavenly energy, could morph into human form (a boy - not Ne Zha), and was the subordinate of the Great Mother, Nv Wa (女娲 nǚ wā). Highly recommended!Īccording to legend, in the Floating Pond in the Sky (天池 tiān chí) above Kun Lun Mountain (昆仑山 kūn lún shān), there laid a magical pearl that was formed by both the spirit energy of Heaven and Earth, and by the essence of the Sun and Moon. Though the film itself isn’t 100% true to the original story of Ne Zha and Ao Bing (敖丙 áo bǐng), it’s still an amazing piece of art. To that end, I would strongly recommend anyone interested in Ne Zha or Chinese mythology in general to go check out his most recent blockbuster movie, one of the best animated films I have personally seen in a very long time.

Li jing ne zha series#

There is so much to cover with this young-demigod, so many stories (and, as always, so many different versions of each story) to tell he is frequently referred to in many ancient Chinese texts, not to mention multiple modern adaptations.ĭozens of movies have been made about Ne Zha, and he even starred in his own cartoon series in China which was extremely popular at the time. Ne Zha is by far one of the most popular characters in Chinese mythology – shadowed only by the great Monkey King himself.