Bajie

Bajie, also known as Zhu Bajie or Zhu Wuneng, is a major fictional character in the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West, traditionally attributed to Wu Cheng'en and published in the 16th century. He is depicted as a humanoid pig demon who becomes one of the three disciples of the monk Tang Sanzang on a journey to obtain Buddhist sutras from India.

Origins and name: In the narrative, Bajie is a former celestial general who is banished from the heavenly realm and transformed into a pig demon after misdeeds and indulgence. Upon joining Tang Sanzang's pilgrimage, he receives the monastic name Bajie, meaning “Eight Precepts” in Chinese, and is equipped with a weapon called the nine-toothed rake (九齿钉耙).

Character and role: Bajie is characterized by gluttony, laziness, and a propensity for lechery, but he is also loyal, practical, and capable of courage under pressure. He serves as a source of comic relief and a moral counterbalance to the more impulsive Sun Wukong, while contributing to the group’s endurance and combat effectiveness by fighting demons and safeguarding the sutras.

Weapon and abilities: His signature tool is the nine-toothed rake, which he uses in battle against various monsters and spirits encountered on the pilgrimage. He also brings agricultural practicality and a down-to-earth perspective to the team.

Legacy and reception: As one of the best-known figures from Journey to the West, Bajie has appeared in numerous adaptations across Chinese opera, film, television, and literature. In English, he is commonly rendered as Pigsy or Zhu Bajie. The character has been interpreted in diverse ways, from comic foil to satire on human appetites and flaws.