How Did Master Oogway Die In The Kung Fu Panda Movies?

For some reason, I’m able to revisit and replay scenes from ‘Kung Fu Panda’ in my head. Specifically, the scene in which Oogway dies is incredibly powerful and I don’t think it’s been done better in other animated films. As the Master explains to Shifu that he must believe in Po, Oogway then ascends to the sky in a peaceful scene where he smiles and lets the wind carry him away on a banner of peach blossoms. What I find most amazing is that Oogway’s passing is in stark contrast to typical animated films, where the villain gets defeated in an extremely visual and explosive fashion. Instead, Oogway’s peaceful passing is incredibly powerful and has left a large impact on me.

This also refers back to the symbolism of the secret ingredient of the peach, as Oogway said there was no secret. And indeed there is not. He dies just like that. Later in the film Po meets Oogway in the spirit world where he finds out that death is not the end, it is just a change. I really like how the film deals with spirituality in a really respectful manner. It incorporates a lot of Taoist ideas into the movie, which is great because it is a kids’ film. I also like that Oogway’s legacy lives on through Po and that he is able to pass on his wisdom to his student. His spirit lives on just like the petals of the peach drift away on the wind.

The death of Master Oogway in 'Kung Fu Panda' shocked me to tears. The wise, and very old, tortoise who had been at the center of the Jade Palace for much of the film disappeared in a shower of peach blossoms while saying "My time has come." His passing was eerily like a peaceful death, with no struggle or battle to his life. It was all so poetic. And the way he handed the torch off to Po before he left was very beautiful. His death wasn’t sad, it was pleasant. And when Po later found Master Oogway in the Spirit Realm, helping him master the final move, it was clear that Oogway’s death had simply been his time to go. I found it beautiful. After his passing, Oogway would appear to Po on several occasions in the Spirit Realm to help his young student master the last move of Kung Fu. It’s rare for an animated film to deal with death of a main character as smoothly as this, and the way that Oogway’s death was used to teach Po (and the audience) that there comes a time when one must accept change and move on was very powerful.

It’s also really interesting that Oogway shows up in spirit later in the film to help Po learn kung fu, which makes his passing even less of a goodbye and more of a progression of the character. Most kids’ films wouldn’t dare to even mention the idea of death, let alone deal with it in such a deep way. But the way that ‘Kung Fu Panda’ dealt with the death of Master Oogway to teach Po (and the audience) about acceptance is truly something special. The way that the death of Oogway and the falling of the peach tree blossoms (symbolizing growth and renewal) could be Hopeful is even something that I think about to this day, how one scene could change the way I think about endings of things.

When Oogway finally dies in 'Kung Fu Panda', it’s one of the few moments that takes you by surprise, at first glance anyway. It looks tranquil. He is sitting under a tree with a peach beside him. He cracks a few jokes before suddenly a load of blossoms fall from above and he disappears into a sea of light. All in all, it looks really serene, but the more you think about it, the more it actually feels really heavy. The fact that there is no body to collect or funeral to attend is strange and illusionary, but also tangible in Shifu’s despair. The rest of the film does not dwell on the sad occasion. Oogway’s last words of wisdom are a reminder for Shifu to put his trust in others and to think of the future, not to grieve for the past. The only time that Oogway appears again in spirit form is to give the impression that he has moved on to a higher realm. He is wise and teaching, as ever. The final shot of Oogway is of the tree under which he died. It is the symbol of Oogway of the peach tree, and every time it blooms, it is as though Oogway is teaching again. Brilliant storytelling, quiet, wise and full of heart.