The Cinnabar Cloud Great Sage from Fuzhou is a common object of worship. [Photo/WeChat account of Fuzhou Daily]

The prototype of the revered Great Sage Equal to Heaven is none other than a "Fuzhou monkey".

Historical records tracing back to the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) reveal that people in Fuzhou began venerating the Monkey King image long before Wu Cheng'en's Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) masterpiece, Journey to the West. As far back as the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties, various monkey spirit legends were worshipped across different regions of Fujian. In places such as Fuzhou, the formidable Great Sage Equal to Heaven holds a prominent place in folk beliefs.

Legend has it that the Cinnabar Cloud Great Sage from Fuzhou served as the prototype for Sun Wukong in Journey to the West. Following the tale's rise to popularity, Monkey King temples throughout Fuzhou underwent transformations to mirror Sun Wukong, with many now venerating the Buddha Victorious in Strife.