183 Beijing Operas - Bull Monster - Number 245

Bull Monster

Beijing Opera - "The Palm-Leaf Fan"

Bull Monster with a golden symbolic face is one of the leading characters in the opera "The Palm-Leaf Fan," Adapted from an episode in "Pilgrim to the West." Monk Sanzang and his disciples arrive at the foot of a flaming mountain which they are unable to cross. They are told that Princess Iron Fan has a palm-leaf fan that can extinguish the flames, so Monkey goes to the princess to borrow the fan. Princess Iron Fan is the wife of a bull monster who was once Monkey's friend but now is his enemy. When he refuses to give them the fan, Monkey calls on soldiers from Heaven to help him. They subdue the monster, take the fan, and cross the mountain safely.