Nezha: The Divine Warrior of Rebellion
Nezha: The Mythical Hero of China🧘🏻♂️
Nezha, the protagonist of the Chinese animated film Nezha Legend, is a legendary figure from the Shang Dynasty. Born from a ball of flesh, he is the third son of Li Jing, the General of Chen Tang Pass, and Lady Yin, and the younger brother of Jin Zha and Mu Zha. He is also an apprentice of the Taoist immortal Tai Yi Zhen Ren. Nezha wields four divine artifacts: the Universe Ring, the Merging Silk, the Wind Fire Wheels, and the Fire-tipped Spear.
He possesses the supernatural power of a deity with three heads and six arms, granting him the ability to ascend to the heavens and dive into the seas, slay monsters, and subdue dragons and tigers. Known for his kind nature, intelligence, bravery, and a straightforward sense of justice, Nezha once caused a ruckus in the East Sea Dragon Palace. Later, he helped King Wu overthrow the tyrannical Shang King Zhou, becoming the vanguard in the fight against the Shang dynasty. Nezha is loved by the people for his heroic deeds, particularly in eradicating evil, including defeating the monstrous villain, Shi Ji.
*Nezha’s Three Heads and Six Arms.
*Nezha Riding the Wind and Fire Wheels.
Identity and Background🐲
During the late Shang Dynasty, Nezha was born in Chen Tang Pass, the third son of Li Jing, the General of Chen Tang Pass, and Lady Yin. He is the younger brother of Jin Zha and Mu Zha. After his mother carried him for three years and six months, Nezha was miraculously born from a ball of flesh, Nezha is one of the most important symbols of Chinese culture.
Appearance and Clothing🥋
Before Birth:
Nezha was born as a golden ball, radiating a divine golden aura, shimmering brightly. The ball was covered by a red cloth, which later became his bellyband.
After Birth:
Nezha’s hair, eyebrows, and eyes were all black. He had a small red dot (vermilion mark) on his forehead between his brows. His hair was styled into two skyward buns, tied with a red headband. At the back of his head, there was a small lock of hair. He had a round, chubby face, short eyebrows, big eyes, and a sweet, innocent look. His voice was soft and gentle.
His bellyband was a mix of red and yellow, adorned with an orange-colored Ruyi (a symbolic scepter) and a pattern of white sheep-clouds from the zodiac. The hem of the bellyband was triangular, and he wore an orange belt and blue pants. From birth, he was barefoot, never wearing shoes or socks. In his hands, he held the Universe Ring and wore the Merging Silk.
After Rebirth:
Nezha retained most of his previous features but was taller and more handsome. His appearance was refined, like a work of art, with thick eyebrows, big eyes, and a high nose. He became more serious and always furrowed his brows when concentrating. His voice changed to that of a young man, losing the previous harsh tone but still retaining a hint of impatience and childishness, occasionally showing bursts of anger. His eyebrows became thicker and longer, and his gaze turned sharp and cold.
He wore green earrings with dangling ribbons, wristguards on both arms, and a belt adorned with a lotus design. His bellyband became square-shaped. He wore the Universe Ring (given by Nuwa), the Merging Silk (also given by Nuwa), the Wind Fire Wheels (obtained later in the Mystic Valley), and held the Fire-tipped Spear (which he began using when aiding King Wu to overthrow King Zhou of Shang).
*Nezha’s Father: King Li of the Towering Pagoda.
*Nezha 2: The Devilish Boy Causes Havoc in the Sea.
Personality Traits🐉
Nezha is innocent, cheerful, and lively, with a cute and endearing nature. He is brave, kind-hearted, sincere, and friendly, never allowing others to bully him. He is bold, passionate, and quick-witted, with a strong sense of loyalty and justice. His love and hatred are clear-cut, and he is persistent and righteous in the face of adversity. Nezha is straightforward, fearless, and has a commanding presence. At times, he may be a little careless or unconcerned with details, but his confidence and boldness shine through.
He holds a deep hatred for evil and is fiercely competitive, always seeking to prove himself in battle. While he can be clever, there are also times when he acts foolishly. When facing the villainous Shi Ji, Nezha remains upright and unyielding, refusing to bow to evil. With his friends and companions, he is loyal to a fault, always ready to protect them without hesitation.
Nezha's Weapons and Equipment⚔️
Universe Ring (乾坤圈)
The Universe Ring is a powerful artifact of immense strength, like thunder itself. It is a golden circular ring that can change in size and number, making it capable of smashing and striking with pinpoint accuracy. Its power is enormous, and it possesses a spiritual connection to its master. This is one of the treasures given to Nezha by the goddess Nuwa, aiding him in defeating many enemies.
Merging Silk (混天绫)
The Merging Silk is a delicate yet powerful tool, as soft as the wind. It is a red silken ribbon given to Nezha by Nuwa. The artifact has the ability to change its length, bind enemies, attack, and defend, with the miraculous power to control the seas and overturn mountains. Even if it is cut, it can automatically regenerate.
Wind Fire Wheels (风火轮)
The Wind Fire Wheels are fiery, otherworldly objects that appear out of nowhere and respond to Nezha’s call. These magical wheels were obtained by Nezha after he was sealed by the Weak Water at Kunlun Mountain and underwent trials in the Mystic Valley (the mountain god stated that the Wind Fire Wheels were always beneath Nezha’s feet). No matter when, Nezha can summon these wheels to fly at high speeds, generate wind and fire, travel across the sky, and even absorb the flames of volcanic eruptions.
Fire-tipped Spear (火尖枪)
The Fire-tipped Spear is a golden spear with a red tassel, sharp and lethal. It is a powerful weapon capable of both offense and defense. Nezha began wielding this weapon during the battle to assist King Wu in overthrowing the tyrant King Zhou of Shang.
Nezha's Family👨👩👧👦
Li Jing (The Pagoda-bearing Heavenly King)
Li Jing is the father of Nezha, Jin Zha, and Mu Zha. He has strict expectations of Nezha but loves him deeply. As the General of Chen Tang Pass, he is beloved by the people, though he shows some misplaced loyalty to King Zhou of Shang. However, when faced with major decisions, Li Jing always makes the right choices and is willing to make personal sacrifices for his family and the people. Li Jing has openly said that Nezha is his most beloved child.
Despite being angered by Nezha’s reckless behavior and punishing him by locking him in the black room or the Linglong Tower, Li Jing continues to show paternal love. When Shen Gongbao led troops to capture Nezha, Li Jing risked his life to protect Nezha along with his family. When the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas troubled Nezha, he boldly stepped forward to take the blame and protect his son. Even when Nezha was trapped in the Dark Valley, Li Jing was willing to sacrifice himself to save his child.
Lady Yin (Yin Shi)
Lady Yin, the mother of Nezha, Jin Zha, and Mu Zha, is a righteous, kind-hearted woman with great wisdom and a spirit of self-sacrifice. She not only cares for Nezha with great affection but also understands his feelings deeply, constantly supporting and encouraging him. Despite knowing that Nezha was born as a flesh ball and abandoned in a river, she loves him unconditionally and relentlessly searches for him, even at the cost of her own frail health.
When Shen Gongbao led troops to capture Nezha, Lady Yin risked the entire family’s safety to rescue him. After Nezha fell into the Dark Valley, she did not hesitate to risk her life to save him, giving her all as a mother. When she was captured by Shen Gongbao, Nezha was consumed with anger and desperately wanted to take revenge. Their mother-son bond was deeply touching whenever they reunited.
Jin Zha
Jin Zha is the eldest son of Li Jing, and Nezha and Mu Zha’s older brother. Among the three brothers, he is more mature and composed, often appearing alongside Mu Zha. He occasionally praises Nezha’s abilities, and although he may sometimes betray Nezha in front of their father, he shows self-sacrifice when it matters most. For example, when Shen Gongbao came to capture Nezha, Jin Zha bravely took the blame, claiming that it was his arrow that was fired, not Nezha’s.
After their mother was captured by Shen Gongbao, Jin Zha scolded Nezha for his actions out of a sense of filial duty, but he also stepped in to protect and guide his younger brothers when needed, taking on the role of an older brother, even helping to retrieve the lost Xuanyuan Arrow with serious dedication.
Mu Zha
Mu Zha is the second son of Li Jing, Nezha’s second brother, and Jin Zha’s younger brother. Among the three brothers, Mu Zha is more honest and well-behaved, often staying with his older brother Jin Zha. He is occasionally calm and discerning, though sometimes his thoughts are a bit slow.
Despite his simplicity, he can also speak wisely, as seen when he remarked that “as long as the arrow doesn’t hit King Zhou, it doesn’t matter where it lands,” showing his foresight. When Nezha was in danger, Mu Zha was brave enough to take the blame. He and Jin Zha stood up against the formidable soldiers, doing their best to delay time and protect Nezha. He even risked his life to break through the encirclement to reach Nezha.
*Nezha’s Enemy: Shen Gongbao.
*Nezha’s Battle with the Third Prince of the Dragon Palace.
Nezha's Master🤺
Taiyi Zhenren is Nezha’s master, an old and somewhat forgetful immortal, often sarcastically called “the old man with a long beard” by Nezha. Despite his age, he is warm-hearted, upright, kind, and highly respected. He is the leader of the Golden Light Cave on Mount Qianyuan, with his superior being the ancestor of humanity, Nuwa. When Nezha was surrounded by the Shang Dynasty soldiers, Taiyi Zhenren used his powers to save him and bring him to the Heavenly Realm. Later, he, alongside Nuwa, helped Nezha be reborn.
He fought with Nezha and the Little Dragon Maiden against the demon Shi Ji. Taiyi Zhenren then took Nezha to a secluded island to train, teaching him the techniques to use his magical treasures, the Universe Ring (乾坤圈) and the Merging Silk (混天绫). He helped Nezha understand the flow of power and often guided him through difficult situations, such as helping Nezha find the Fire Wheels in the Magic Valley and teaching him how to defeat Zhao Gongming. In crucial moments, Taiyi Zhenren always appears to provide guidance.
Nezha's Benefactor🧜🏻♀️
Nuwa, the great and noble ancestor of humanity, is revered for her kindness and wisdom. She is the enemy of the evil demon Shi Ji. She bestowed upon Nezha the powerful Cosmic Circle and Universal Ribbon, which greatly enhanced his combat abilities. Nuwa later helped Nezha to resurrect after his death by suicide, alongside Taiyi Zhenren. Nuwa guided Nezha on how to save the world, sending him to seek the Giant Tribe leader, Kuafu, to free the Sun from the control of Shi Ji.
She also instructed Nezha to retrieve the Pangu Stone to restore the Earth’s dragon veins. When Nezha was imprisoned in the Linglong Tower due to Shi Ji’s influence, Nuwa was so moved by Nezha’s plight that she used her tears’ magical power to help him break free, giving Nezha the power of three heads and six arms, and enabling him to shatter the Linglong Tower’s seal and defeat the demon Shi Ji.
Nezha's Enemies🦇
Shi Ji is an evil demoness, a sinister stone spirit with a cold and eerie presence. After causing chaos across the world, she was wounded by Nuwa and sought refuge in Skull Mountain to recover her powers, plotting her revenge against Nezha. Upon learning that Nezha, her destined nemesis, was about to be born, Shi Ji framed him for causing a three-year drought, bringing disgrace to Nezha’s family. Despite absorbing the energy of dragon pearls and the Earth’s ley lines, she was repeatedly defeated by Nezha.
Shi Ji even fought Nezha for the Pangu Stone and attempted to use the Scorpion Demon Staff of Gong Gong to defeat Nezha. She later allied with King Zhou to cause further havoc. In her final escape, Shi Ji was pursued by Nezha and eventually killed. Before her death, her heart turned into a small demonic stone, which entered Nezha’s body, becoming a dark force that tried to control Nezha’s actions. However, Nezha ultimately destroyed Shi Ji’s soul with a fire punch, reducing her to ashes.
Shen Gongbao, the state master of the Shang Dynasty and the apprentice of the evil Shi Ji, is a scheming villain with aspirations of power. Initially, he followed Shi Ji’s orders to trap Nezha, but each time he failed. When he led an army to capture Nezha, he was mocked and defeated by Nezha. After being severely punished by Nezha, Shen Gongbao never dared to provoke him again. Eventually, to save his own life, he revealed Shi Ji’s hideout to Nezha and his companions. In the end, Shen Gongbao was turned to stone by Shi Ji and killed, with his soul being torn apart in the Dark Valley.