Journey to the West Immortal of Elk Power

Immortal of Elk Power (鹿力大仙) is one of the infamous Three Daoist Immortals in Journey to the West, alongside Tiger Power Immortal and Antelope Power Immortal. Masquerading as a holy sage, he helped manipulate the king of the Kingdom of Cart Slow (Chechi Kingdom), gaining political authority through deception and false miracles. Elk Power Immortal presents himself as calm, wise, and benevolent, but beneath this façade lies arrogance, cruelty, and contempt for ordinary people. His character satirizes false religious authority and the abuse of spiritual language for personal gain. He is a symbol of hypocrisy disguised as enlightenment.

When challenged by Tang Sanzang’s disciples, Elk Power Immortal’s spiritual pretensions collapse quickly. Against Sun Wukong’s true divine power and insight, his Daoist tricks and rituals prove shallow and ineffective. His eventual exposure and defeat represent the triumph of genuine cultivation over hollow showmanship. Elk Power Immortal’s fall restores justice to the kingdom and frees the persecuted monks from suffering. His story reinforces the novel’s moral warning against blind reverence for titles and appearances.