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Li Tianwang李天王

Celestial CourtFiction

A general of the Heavenly Court, leading heavenly soldiers to campaign against Sun Wukong, and assisting in subduing demons on multiple occasions.

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DIRECT FIGURES: 8
RELATION RECORDS: 9
SOURCE WORKS: 1

RELATIONSHIP COMPASS

Li Tianwang, and the people around them.

Open one chapter at a time. Each chapter gives the relationship first, then the source text behind it.

KINSHIP

Kinship

Blood, marriage and sworn bonds

4 figures · 4 records

Huian Xingzhe
Li TianwangisHuian Xingzhe’s father
Read the original source
我乃李天王二太子木吒
Journey to the West, ch. 6
Nezha
Nezha—Li Tianwangfather-son
Read the original source
天王大惊失……色。……原来天王生此子时，他左手掌上有个“哪”字，右手掌上有个“吒”字，故名哪吒
Journey to the West, ch. 83
Nezha
Li Tianwang—Nezhafather-son
Read the original source
你是李天王第三个孩儿，名唤做哪吒太子
Journey to the West, ch. 51
Golden-Nosed White-Haired Rat Spirit
Golden-Nosed White-Haired Rat Spirit—Li Tianwangadopt father
Read the original source
拜父王为父，拜孩儿为兄，在下方供设牌位，侍奉香火。
Journey to the West, ch. 83

ALLEGIANCE

Allegiance

Rulers, appointments and allegiance

1 figure · 1 record

Jade Emperor
Jade Emperor→Li Tianwangdispatch
Read the original source
玉帝即令李天王父子率领众部天兵
Journey to the West, ch. 51

CONFLICT

Conflict

Battles, captures and defeat

4 figures · 4 records

Sun Wukong (Monkey King)
Sun Wukong (Monkey King)—Li Tianwangbattle
Read the original source
大圣一条棒，抵住了四大天神与李托塔、哪吒太子
Journey to the West, ch. 5
Golden-Nosed White-Haired Rat Spirit
Li Tianwang→Golden-Nosed White-Haired Rat Spiritsubdue
Source record
Journey to the West, ch. 83
One-horned Ghost King
Li Tianwang→One-horned Ghost Kingarrest
Read the original source
那独角鬼王与七十二洞妖怪，尽被众天神捉拿去了
Journey to the West, ch. 5
Seventy-two Cave Demon Kings
Li Tianwang→Seventy-two Cave Demon Kingsarrest
Read the original source
那独角鬼王与七十二洞妖怪，尽被众天神捉拿去了
Journey to the West, ch. 5

Complete relationships and verbatim sources ↓Open in the civilization atlas ↗

9 key relationships are shown here. The complete record remains below.

FeatureWhy Demons in Journey to the West Almost Always Have Powerful Backers: Fact vs. FictionSun Wukong's battles against demons in Journey to the West follow a striking pattern: monster spirits originating as celestial mounts or divine attendants are invariably spared and reclaimed by their heavenly masters, whereas wild demons lacking celestial backers are routinely struck dead by his golden staff. This dichotomy forms a defining narrative feature of the novel. Drawing upon the hundred-chapter text of Journey to the West, the historical record Great Tang Records on the Western Regions, and the mythological epic Investiture of the Gods, this article examines the past lives of the pilgrim team, the celestial bureaucracy, and the divergent fates of demons, revealing the literary logic behind Ming Dynasty mythological writing.

In fiction · Journey to the West

Li Tianwang, a general of the Heavenly Court, once led a hundred thousand heavenly soldiers to campaign against Sun Wukong but failed to capture him. Later, by the order of the Jade Emperor, he assisted Sun Wukong in subduing the rhinoceros demon, but his weapon was trapped. Again, due to Sun Wukong's complaint, he mustered troops to capture demons, and finally, together with the Third Prince, he pinned down the demon and reported to the Heavenly Court.

Relationship network

9 figures · 21 links

historyliteraturedual

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battle← Sun Wukong (Monkey King) → Li TianwanglitJourney to the West, ch. 5 Journey to the West, ch. 6
Original text (2)
1. 大圣一条棒，抵住了四大天神与李托塔、哪吒太子
  Journey to the West, ch. 5
2. 我等十万天兵，与他混战至晚
  Journey to the West, ch. 6
father-son← Nezha → Li TianwanglitJourney to the West, ch. 83
Original text (1)
1. 天王大惊失……色。……原来天王生此子时，他左手掌上有个“哪”字，右手掌上有个“吒”字，故名哪吒
  Journey to the West, ch. 83
dispatch← Jade Emperor → Li TianwanglitJourney to the West, ch. 51
Original text (1)
1. 玉帝即令李天王父子率领众部天兵
  Journey to the West, ch. 51
father-sonLi Tianwang → Huian XingzhelitJourney to the West, ch. 6
Original text (1)
1. 我乃李天王二太子木吒
  Journey to the West, ch. 6
father-sonLi Tianwang → NezhalitJourney to the West, ch. 51
Original text (1)
1. 你是李天王第三个孩儿，名唤做哪吒太子
  Journey to the West, ch. 51
adopt father← Golden-Nosed White-Haired Rat Spirit → Li TianwanglitJourney to the West, ch. 83
Original text (1)
1. 拜父王为父，拜孩儿为兄，在下方供设牌位，侍奉香火。
  Journey to the West, ch. 83
subdueLi Tianwang → Golden-Nosed White-Haired Rat SpiritlitJourney to the West, ch. 83
arrestLi Tianwang → One-horned Ghost KinglitJourney to the West, ch. 5
Original text (1)
1. 那独角鬼王与七十二洞妖怪，尽被众天神捉拿去了
  Journey to the West, ch. 5
arrestLi Tianwang → Seventy-two Cave Demon KingslitJourney to the West, ch. 5
Original text (1)
1. 那独角鬼王与七十二洞妖怪，尽被众天神捉拿去了
  Journey to the West, ch. 5