Ⅰ. Introduction
Ne Zha is one of the most legendary juvenile heroes in Chinese mythology, renowned for his unique origin, powerful magical weapons, and rebellious spirit. Typically depicted as a child riding wind-fire wheels and holding a Qiankun Circle, he serves as both a Taoist guardian deity and an incarnation of justice in folk beliefs.
Ⅱ. Origin
Ne Zha’s story can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty Buddhist text Buddhacarita as “Nata”, before evolving into its definitive form in Yuan and Ming Dynasty literature. The Investiture of the Gods describes him as the son of Li Jing, the military governor of Chentangguan. After defying the tyrannical Dragon King of the East Sea, he returned his flesh to his mother and bones to his father through self-sacrifice, later resurrected as an immortal “Lotus Avatar” by the Taoist master Taiyi Zhenren.
Ⅲ. Literary Sources
- Investiture of the Gods (Ming Dynasty): Chronicles Ne Zha’s sea battle and his role in aiding King Wu’s campaign
- Journey to the West (Ming Dynasty): Features him as the “Three Altars Sea-Conquering Great God” opposing Sun Wukong
- Collected Deities of Three Religions (Yuan Dynasty): Records his birth from a meat ball and lotus resurrection
- Zaju of Journey to the West (Yuan Dynasty): First use of the name “Ne Zha” and father-son conflict
Ⅳ. Key Myths
- Ne Zha’s Sea Battle: Slayed the Dragon King’s minions to save children, triggering a flood crisis
- Bone and Flesh Sacrifice: Committed suicide to protect his parents, embodying filial piety
- Lotus Rebirth: Reconstructed with lotus roots by Taiyi Zhenren, granted magical weapons
- Father-Son Reconciliation: Eventually resolved conflicts with Li Jing to assist in the *Investiture of the Gods* mission
Ⅴ. Spiritual Significance
Ne Zha represents the struggle against feudal constraints and the pursuit of individual value. His defiance against authority figures (Dragon King) and patriarchal norms (Li Jing) coexists with his pure-hearted nature. This duality of rebellion and redemption makes him a timeless cultural icon.
Ⅵ. Modern Influence
Ne Zha’s legacy thrives in contemporary media:
- 1979 animated film Ne Zha Conquers the Dragon King established animation milestones
- 2019 film Ne Zha redefined him with “My fate is determined by myself”, grossing 5 billion RMB
- Appears in games like Arena of Valor and Fei Ren School, appealing to Generation Z