The Azure Lion Demon is the eldest of the three rulers of Lion-Camel Ridge in Journey to the West. He occupies Lion-Camel Cave with the White Elephant Demon and later joins forces with the Golden-Winged Great Peng. In battle he carries a saber, commands the mountain’s demon host, and relies on the enormous mouth of his lion form.
During his duel with Sun Wukong, the Azure Lion opens his jaws wide enough to swallow the pilgrim. Wukong survives inside his body, threatens his organs, and forces him into painful negotiations before escaping. The three demons later cooperate to capture Tang Seng and his disciples, with the Azure Lion acting as the senior brother of the alliance.
When Wukong brings Tathagata Buddha, Manjushri, and Samantabhadra to the battlefield, the Azure Lion’s origin is revealed: he is Manjushri’s blue-haired lion mount. Manjushri recites a spell, restores him to his true animal form, and leads him away. His rank among the three brothers, swallowing feat, and bond with Manjushri distinguish him from his allies.