Wuzhiqi

The Chained Water Fiend

Ape-like river god chained under Tortoise Mountain by Yu, a possible model for Sun Wukong.

Wuzhiqi is the ape-like water god of the Huai River whom Yu the Great subdued during his flood works. Golden-eyed and snow-toothed, he stirred storms until the hero’s captain Gengchen chained him beneath Tortoise Mountain. His restless shape — a chained, rebellious water ape — is often named as a model for Sun Wukong.