Asia is a bustling hub of economic prosperity, a regional powerhouse in geopolitical affairs, and a burgeoning leader in the entertainment arena. But Asia’s history has been anything but peaceful. Many Asian countries have toiled and struggled to achieve independence from tyranny. Along the way, battles were fought, wars were waged, and heroes were immortalized.
Today, we pay tribute to the greatest mythical warriors in the East. Over the years, scores of these heroic, larger–than–life icons have been immortalized, memorialized, and canonized. Many were well-versed in martial arts; others were legendary war heroes who commanded the respect of the masses and led with aplomb.
Without further ado, we begin our analysis of the greatest mythical Asian warriors – onward!
Hanuman – Thailand and India
It is time to welcome Hanuman, the monkey army commander. Famous in Hindu mythology, Hanuman was born to a nymph and the wind god. He tried to seize the sun, thinking it was ripe fruit. Indra, the king of the gods, struck him with a thunderous lightning bolt to the jaw.
Persistently petulant, Hanuman was cursed to forget all of his magical powers. Among others, he was a flying hero and could assume infinite proportions. Once reminded of his mystical powers, Hanuman took a giant leap across the strait between Lanka and India.
With his tail ablaze, he brought fiery destruction to the city. Across temples in India, this mythological character is depicted with a red face as a monkey. He stands upright, on two feet, and is a profoundly devout character in Hindu mythology.
The Mystery of the Orient
A warrior known for her Samurai swashbuckling bravado brandishes a sword like none other. Known simply as the Mystery of the Orient, this mythological fighter features prominently in our cultural zeitgeist as a heroine in her eponymous social game – Mystery of the Orient.
Cutting a gracious form in more ways than one, this Asian warrior princess has studied the art of the Samurai and possesses the power of the Tiger, the wisdom of the sages, and the skill of a battle-hardened warrior.
Steeped in lore and delivered with aplomb, the social game presents a likeness of a mythical Asian warrior from eons ago. With mystical powers, fearsome abilities, and scintillating audio-visual elements, fans can experience first-hand what it may have been like in the Mystery of the Orient era.
Durga – India, Nepal
Durga, the formidable goddess of protection, strength, and divine power, reigns supreme in Hindu mythology. Her tale is a timeless ode to the triumph of good over evil, a saga of divine intervention against chaos and destruction. Born from the collective energies of the gods, Durga’s mission is clear: Defeat the demon Mahishasura, who threatened the cosmic balance.
Clad in regal garments and adorned with jewels, Durga’s fearsome yet maternal visage is unforgettable. Mounted atop a lion or tiger, she wields an arsenal of celestial weapons in her many arms, symbolizing her readiness to combat all forms of darkness. Her radiant form is as much a beacon of hope as a warning to the wicked.
Durga is celebrated with unparalleled devotion during festivals like Navaratri and Durga Puja. Her worship unites scores of people across India, Nepal, and beyond. For devotees, Durga is more than a goddess; she is Shakti incarnate, the ultimate power behind creation, preservation, and destruction.
She is a force to be reckoned with, revered throughout history as the epitome of courage and virtue.
Legendary Sun Wu Kong – From China
Yet again, mythology pays tribute to monkey-esque characters. This time in China, with Sūn Wùkōng, this creature is a monkey with supernatural abilities. He also leads a tribe of powerful monkeys and finds sanctuary in the Cave of the Water Curtain.
But alas, the truth comes out – Sūn Wùkōng has an Achilles Heel – mortality. His tribe wants him to pursue immortality. So, he conjures up various magic spells, thanks to a Buddhist patriarch. When ten judges of the dead arrive on the scene, he resists, and his name, alongside those of the monkeys, is permanently deleted from the Book of Life and Death.
The Jade Emperor soon learns of his misdeeds to the Kings of Heaven report.
Garuda – Southeast Asia
Garuda is the majestic eagle of Hindu and Buddhist lore. In mythologies, she soars as a symbol of freedom, power, and loyalty. She is also known as Vishnu’s vahana (mount). This celestial bird bridges the realms of the divine and the mortal, carrying his master across the heavens.
Born to Vinata and cursed to servitude, Garuda’s life was a quest for redemption and honor. To free his mother from bondage to the Nagas (serpents), he sought the elixir of immortality, amrita, braving impossible odds to secure it. Though he ultimately delivered the nectar, he cleverly ensured the Nagas would never benefit from it—a sly yet honorable twist in the tale.
Garuda’s vivid depiction—part bird, part man—is iconic. With a golden body, emerald feathers, and hawk-like features, his fierce yet noble form strikes awe into the hearts of onlookers. From Indian temples to Southeast Asian folklore, his imagery graces coins, amulets, and shrines, embodying devotion and divine strength.
And there you have it, folks! A quick look at some of the finest mythical Asian warriors of our time. There are scores more, so take the time to read up on these fascinating characters. You may know some of them too!
Source: Inspired by https://listverse.com/2018/10/08/10-certified-badass-warriors-who-shook-the-asian-continent/