본고는『서유기』이전 출간되어 나온 관련 문헌을 통하여 사오정 형상의 변천 과정을 살펴보고, 이어 『서유기』속에 묘사된 그의 형상과 특징을 분석하여 그의 역할과 의미를 고찰한 논문이다. 이전 문헌을 통하여 사오정 형상의 변천 과정을 살펴본 뒤, 이어 사오정의 이름과 거주지 유사하, 형상, 생애 등을 고찰하여 그의 내력과 특징을 개괄했다. 그리고 마지막으 로 『서유기』 스토리에 나타난 사오정의 특징과 역할 그리고 오행의 上生相剋說에 나타난 그의 특징과 역할을 분석하여 『서유기』에서 그가 차지하고 있는 위치를 확인하고 그 의미를 고찰하였다. 그 결과, 사오정은 공성(空性)에 대해 깊은 각성을 보여주지는 않지만 계율을 잘 지키는 승려로서 스승의 가르침을 잘 따르고 사형제 간의 형제애를 중시하며 구성원 사이의 조화와 화합을 도모하는 중요한 역할을 맡고 있다는 결론을 도출할 수 있었다.

This paper analyzes the process of ShaWujing’s transformation through the materials concerned before the publication of Xiyouji, and examines his role and meaning. In order to appraise ShaWujing fairly and objectively, above all, his name and home, Liushahe (river with flowing sands), his image and life are examined to uncover his life history and characteristics generally. And through the analysis of characteristics and role as shown in the episodes of Xiyouji, and those revealed in the Five Element Theory on the basis of Five Elements, this paper clarifies ShaWujing’s place, and deals with its meaning in Xiyouji. Consequently, ShaWujing in the story does not show his acute attention to the nature of emptiness (空性), but follows his teacher’s guides as a monk of keeping the Buddhist monk’s rules. He puts the emphasis on the brotherly love among four brothers, and plays the important role of keeping harmony and unity among themselves. As shown in ShaWujing’s role of uniting the pilgrims in harmony, he must have been one of the greatest driving forces of seeking for the scriptures. In the poems, table of contents, and parallelism in Xiyouji, five pilgrims (五聖) are symbolized and their relationships are revealed by Five Elements. ShaWujing represents 土 (earth). He as earth lessens the conflict between SanZang 水 (water) and SunWukong 火 (fire), and strengthens the centripetal force of the pilgrimage. By dissolving the conflict between SunWukong 金 (metal) and ZhuBajie 木 (tree), he also functions as the driving force of the pilgrimage seeking for the Budhhist scriptures. As shown in ShaWujing’s role of uniting the pilgrims in harmony, he must have been one of the greatest driving forces of seeking for the scriptures. In this examination in all the episodes, ShaWujing appears to be a condensed force as revealed in his belief in seeking for the scriptures, virtues like altruism and concession, harmony and unity influencing the story development, thematic constructs, and formation of his character greatly.

【초록】
1. 서론
2. 『서유기』 이전 문헌 속 사오정
3. 『서유기』 속 사오정의 거주지, 이름, 형상, 생애
4.『서유기』에 나타난 사오정의 특징, 역할, 의미
    1) 스토리에 나타난 사오정의 특징, 역할, 의미
    2) 오행의 상생상극관계를 통해 본 사오정의 특징, 역할, 의미
5. 결론
【참고문헌】
【논문초록】

• 서정희(부산대학교 인문대학 중어중문학과) | Suh Jung-hee