Ritual Functions of Sun Wukong’s Hair in Wu Cheng-en’s novel “Journey to the West”

The results of the motivational analysis Wu Cheng-en’s novel “A Journey to West” are presented, mythological meanings individual object-material images studied, a set ritual actions related hair is considered: pulling out wool, casting spell, turning around. idea variety functions hair, endowed with mystical properties in many systems, taken as starting point; they included thanatal, carnival and other contexts. It has been proven that all rituals combine archetypal being chosen, initiation, buffoonery spiritual formation. A typology associated miracles proposed. first selected types metamorphosis carried through manipulations Sun Wukong masters training sages: this creation copy an object or creature help which hero avoids danger. second gift from Bodhisattva Guanyin, requires certain inner work — choice, bargaining, creating new without ready-made sample. question raised about divine leadership process becoming hero.