The Black Wind Demon, also known as the Black Bear Demon, is a supporting antagonist in the 16th-century Chinese classic novel Journey to the West by the late Wu Cheng'en and its multiple adaptations. A demon bear who has interest in Buddhism and Buddhist things, he is based in a cave on Black Wind Mountain (In Chinese: 黑風山), near the Guanyin Monastery (in Chinese: 观音禅院).
In the 1986 series, he's portrayed by the series' martial arts director Xiang Han, who would later portray the Tawny Lion Demon.
Appearance[]
His true form is a black bear. Thanks to his Taoist powers, he manages to achieve a humanoid form as a dark-complexioned man wearing an armor with a red scarf. After becoming the Guayin's servant, she places him a golden circlet on his head like Wukong's.
Personality[]
In contrast to the demons that come after him, the Black Wind Demon is a rather affable person who likes to collect Buddhism-related things and read the sutras. He even visits the Guayin Monastery and teaches the Jinchi Elder longevity, showing that he can be friendly as long as you don't attack him. It should be noted that he only attacks Wukong because the latter invaded his cave and killed the Elder and a servant he sent, showing that he's protective towards whoever he's close to. Despite this, he still has a villainous side, as shown when he shamelessly steals the cassock which, as far as he knows at the time, is in possession of the monastery's, and willingly leaves the monastery dealing with its own flames.
After becoming the Guayin's guardian, he's a bit more arrogant and likes to tease Wukong.
Biography[]
The Black Wind Demon often visited the Guayin Monastery time to time, taught the Jinchi Elder magic that allowed the latter to achieve longevity. As a result, the two became friends and often visited each other.
One night, because Wukong thwarts the monastery's attempt at killing him and his master Xuanzang by fire to take Xuanzang's cassock for the Elder, the monastery itself is consumed by fire. The demon, seeing it, decides to come to help the monks, but upon seeing the cassock, he takes it for himself and leaves the monastery to deal with itself. In the morning, the Jinchi Elder commits suicide upon not finding the cassock anywhere.
That day, the Black Wind Demon decides to organize the Cassock Banquet, and invites his friends, the Elder (who he doesn't know to have been dead), the Scholar in a White Robe and Lingxuzi to come. Wukong disguises himself as the Elder and attempts to take the cassock back, but his cover is blown and the two fight until afternoon, when the demon retreats to his cave. The Scholar is killed during the fight, revealing his true form as a white snake.
Wukong would then asks for the Bodhisattva Guanyin's help. When they're going to the demon's cave, Wukong sees and kills Lingxuazi, who is in truth a wolf. Seeing the pills Lingxuazi has prepared for the Black Wind Demon, Wukong eats one and then transforms himself into an identical pill, with the Guayin disguising herself as Lingxuazi. The Guayin then goes to the caves and pretends to greet the demon. Upon being swallowed by the demon, Wukong wrecks havoc inside his stomach, much to the black bear's pain. The Guayin then reveals herself and forces the bear to hand over the cassock (which she gave Xuanzang alongside the cane in the first place) and become her new servant, to which he complies and she gives him a controlling circlet on his head, similar to Wukong's. After Wukong releases him, the demon attempts to attack the monkey, but the Guayin reads the cite which tightens the circlet, forcing the demon to abandon his goal. He's later made to be her mountain's guardian.
Powers and Abilities[]
- Black Tassel Spear: The Black Wind Demon is armed with a Black Tassel Spear.
- Wind-travelling: True to his name, the Black Wind Demon can travel through winds.
- Longevity: Although it isn't shown nor stated, the fact that the Black Wind Demon teaches the Jinchi Elder longevity implies that he possesses it as well.
Gallery[]
.jpg "Black Wind Demon (novel).jpg (101 KB)")
Trivia[]
- The Black Wind Demon is the first demon to be redeemed by the Bodhisattva Guanyin and become her servant, followed by the Red Boy.
- In the 1986 series, as a result of Lingxuazi's role being composited with the Scholar in a White Robe's, Guayin disguises as the latter instead.