Dreamworks Animation Wiki
Register
Advertisement

There's a saying, Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.
―Oogway's philosophy to Shifu.[src]

Grand Master Oogway (also known as Master Oogway or more simply Oogway) is a major character in the DreamWorks Kung Fu Panda franchise. He was an elderly tortoise and the previous senior master of the Jade Palace. Highly venerated for his wisdom, knowledge, and experience, Oogway was considered to be a sage. It was also apparent that he was very skilled in the art of Kung Fu, as he was greatly respected throughout China. Known as the greatest Kung Fu master in history, no one reputation surpassed his (other than the legend of the Dragon Warrior which he created).

Background[]

Personality[]

The most notable trait about Oogway is that he was very relaxed in serious situations, most likely due to his ability to foresee the future and his strong faith in others. Much unlike his student, Shifu, he never showed any signs of anger, strictness or outrage; he would instead sustain a firm, yet controlled tone in his disciplinary commands, such as when he first met Monkey and told him to leave the village he was tormenting. He believed in letting things happen in their own time and course, instead of trying to change or control them.

Oogway's attitude was usually very passive, and he is seen to be compassionate, as shown when he consoled Po about his disappointing first day of training, and when he saved Monkey's life during a duel. However, when dealing with Thundering Rhino, Ox, and Croc, he also showed signs of frustration and cynicism when dealing with the young, greedy warriors, though remained patient and cryptic while guiding them on their journey. Though at times he could seem senile, Oogway was incredibly wise and knowledgeable, and gave great advice whenever necessary, using strong and witty metaphors to emphasize his points. He was almost always cheerful, kind-hearted and happy-go-lucky, even when he knew he was about to pass away.

Despite his wisdom, Oogway would sometimes contradict his own statements. For example, when Shifu said he had bad news, Oogway replied that news was neither good nor bad but when Shifu told him what the news was, the escape of Tai Lung, Oogway agreed that it was bad news.

Physical Appearance[]

Oogway wears a green sash across his chest that wraps around and nearly covers the back of his shell. This sash is held together by a ring, and the back bears a large, stylized design that is meant to be a WikipediaListLink tai chi on Wikipedia diagram of fish forming the WikipediaListLink yin yang on Wikipedia symbol.[1] It is likely this type of clothing and its color, as well as his staff, is a sign of leadership for the grandmaster of the Valley, as Shifu goes on to wear a green wrap after inheriting the title in the wake of Oogway's passing.

The only other clothing he has been seen wearing is his cone-shaped hat and yellowish green robe in Secrets of the Masters, possibly his traveling attire.

Fighting Style/Abilities[]

As Oogway was the founder of Kung Fu, he was considered by many to be the greatest Kung Fu master in history, having used his vast lifespan to hone his skill for centuries. Even though he was ancient, his skills in Kung Fu were still considered to be the greatest on the planet. Oogway's signature weapon was his staff which he used against Tai Lung. During Tai Lung's raid on the Valley of Peace, Oogway was able to intercept the Snow Leopard with a swift leap, despite his advanced age and jabbed him in the chest with his staff before performing a well-placed and incredibly fast nerve attack that quickly dispatched him. Not only did he defeat a Kung Fu prodigy who was the first to master a Thousand Scrolls of Kung Fu, but he did so effortlessly with astounding speed and precision; he showed a more expert nerve attack than Tai Lung ever demonstrated.

Oogway also possessed unbelievable physical strength for his stature, seeing how he was able to easily lift up Thundering Rhino by the horn and toss him in a gap between the Bridge of Mists in Secrets of the Masters.

In addition to his legendary Kung Fu skills, Oogway could also have important visions of future events, which tended to come true, as seen in his prediction of the return of Tai Lung, who has been in prison. Oogway had shared this particular vision with his student Shifu, and merely watched as Shifu tried to prevent it by dispatching Zeng to warn the guards at Chorh-Gom Prison, saying to himself, "One often meets his destiny on the road he takes to avoid it." Nevertheless, the wise master let fate play out its cards, and sure enough, it was revealed that one of Zeng's feathers became the "key" that helped Tai Lung escape.

Trivia[]

General[]

  • "Oogway" is the English approximation of the Chinese word for "turtle" (WikipediaListLink simplified Chinese on Wikipedia: 乌龟; WikipediaListLink traditional Chinese on Wikipedia: 烏龜; WikipediaListLink pinyin on Wikipedia: wūguī).
  • The number of petals it took to make Oogway disappear added up to 37,517 petals.[2]
  • In Kung Fu Panda 2, Shifu is seen wearing a jade green wrap similar to one that Oogway wore before his passing, each bearing a very similar insignia on the back. This illustrates some form of symbolism because Shifu has now stepped up and taken over Oogway's old position as a grandmaster and spiritual advisor.[3]
  • In the opening sequence to Kung Fu Panda 2, Oogway replaced the young fishing boy in WikipediaListLink DreamWorks on Wikipedia' original logo. He appears once again during the credits, where he can be seen in the background as baby Po is carried into the village.

As far as anyone knows, Oogway is the only citizen of the Valley of Peace that has lived a full century, possibly due to the fact that he's a tortoise, and tortoises are seen to have very extended lifetimes.

In development[]

  • At one time, Oogway was going to have a "hard-swearing, mob-boss personality". He was also going to be a "creepy grandpa" who kept wanting to pinch Po's cheeks.[4]
  • In some versions of the character, there was going to be a tiny snail on Oogway's staff to serve as his sidekick.[4] This snail can now be seen when Shifu welcomes new players in Kung Fu Panda World, again at its suitable perch atop the staff.
  • Per a request from the directors, the rigging department developed a special control to facilitate animating the loose skin under Oogway’s neck, termed his "waddle."[2]

Gallery[]

References[]

  1. IMDb.com - Trivia for Kung Fu Panda (2008)
  2. 2.0 2.1 Kung Fu Panda Fun Facts by HP
  3. Miller-Zarneke, Tracey. The Art of Kung Fu Panda II, p. 43. WikipediaListLink ISBN on Wikipedia: 1608870189
  4. 4.0 4.1 Miller-Zarneke, Tracey. The Art of Kung Fu Panda, p. 88. WikipediaListLink ISBN on Wikipedia: 1933784571

Navigation[]

v - e - d
Kung Fu Panda Logo
Media
Films: Kung Fu PandaKung Fu Panda 2Kung Fu Panda 3Kung Fu Panda 4

TV specials: Kung Fu Panda HolidaySecrets of the Furious FiveSecrets of the Masters
TV series: Legends of AwesomenessThe Paws of DestinyThe Dragon Knight

Characters
Warriors: PoShifuTigressCraneMonkeyViperMantis

Allies: OogwayMr. PingSoothsayerThundering RhinoStorming OxCrocLi ShanGood PoPengSong
Villains: Tai LungLord ShenBoss WolfGorilla ArmyKaiFenghuangHundunKe-PaFenghuangHundunTaotieTemutaiWu SistersBad PoJu-LongScorpion
Others: ZengVachirBadger TwinsBaoBearGrandma PandaJombiesMei MeiPorcupineShen's Parents

See also
Locations: ChinaJade PalaceJade MountainValley of PeaceChorh-Gom PrisonThread of HopeGongmen CityGongmen JailPanda VillageSpirit RealmTraining Hall

Objects: AdversaryOogway's StaffShift Stones
Miscellaneous: Kung Fu FightingKung Fu PandaFurious FiveLadies of the Shade

Advertisement