Monkey's Staff

I've written three articles that trace the history of Sun's iconic staff. The first shows how the two literary predecessors of the weapon are based on staves used by religious and martial monks in China; the second suggests the initial description of the staff as a pillar of black iron is based on a 4th-century Hindu monument in India; and the third analyzes the inscription on the weapon and traces the term "As-you-wish" (ruyi) to a ritual scepter used by religious and secular authorities.

1) historum.com/blogs/ghostexorcist/5430-piece-rare-magic-iron-literary-religious-origins-monkey-king.html

2) historum.com/blogs/ghostexorcist/13109-historical-source-monkeys-staff.html

3) historum.com/blogs/ghostexorcist/30923-deciphering-inscription-monkey-s-staff.html

I'm slowly but surely chipping away at a fourth article that traces the weapon's association with a famous Daoist saint.