Dear cecil,
Would like to see a picture of 8 immortal and would also like to know the belief behind it. Thanks.

Geomany.net Collection of the Eight Immortals Figurines - 1960's 

The Eight Immortals (八仙, Bāxiān) are some of the most famous figures in Chinese folklore and religious tradition, especially in Daoism. They are legendary humans who, through virtue, discipline, wisdom, or unusual fate, achieve immortality and transcendence. Together they represent different ages, genders, social classes, and walks of life, symbolizing that anyone can attain spiritual perfection.

Below is an overview of their origin, symbolism, and each immortal’s story and attributes.

A. Origins and Cultural Background

- Tradition: Mainly Daoist, but they also appear in general Chinese folk tales, operas, novels, paintings, and temple art.  
- First mentions: Variants of immortal figures like them appear in the Tang dynasty (618–907 CE), but the group of Eight Immortals became standardized by the Song–Yuan periods (10th–14th centuries).
- Core idea: They are humans who became xian (仙) – transcendent beings living in a refined, spiritual state, often in islands like Penglai or in heavenly realms.
- Symbolism:  
  - Eight directions, eight kinds of human experience.  
  - Each has a special object (法器) that embodies their power.  
  - Together they often symbolize blessings, long life, prosperity, and protection.

They are frequently depicted crossing the sea, each using their own magical object – Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea (八仙过海, Bāxiān guò hǎi) – which symbolizes ingenuity and relying on one’s own strengths.

B. The Eight Immortals – Overview

The canonical Eight Immortals are:

1. He Xiangu (何仙姑) – the maiden immortal  
2. Lan Caihe (蓝采和/藍采和) – the eccentric, often gender-ambiguous immortal  
3. Li Tieguai (李铁拐/李鐵拐) – the lame beggar with an iron crutch  
4. Han Xiangzi (韩湘子/韓湘子) – the flute-playing scholar  
5. Cao Guojiu (曹国舅/曹國舅) – the imperial relative with official tablets  
6. Lu Dongbin (吕洞宾/呂洞賓) – the sword-wielding scholar-swordsman  
7. Zhang Guolao (张果老/張果老) – the old man riding a white donkey backward  
8. Zhongli Quan (钟离权/鍾離權) – the elder general with a fan

Each immortal has their own legends and symbolic object.

1. He Xiangu (何仙姑)

- Role: The only consistently female member of the Eight Immortals (Lan Caihe is sometimes depicted as female but often ambiguous).
- Iconography:  
  - Often shown holding a lotus flower, symbolizing purity and spiritual enlightenment.  
  - Sometimes carries a lotus basket or a peach (symbol of longevity).
- Story highlights:  
  - Said to have been born in the Tang dynasty.  
  - As a girl, she chose a celibate, ascetic life, refusing marriage.  
  - In some versions, she was instructed in a dream to eat powder made from mica or mother-of-pearl, after which her body became light and she could travel freely between realms.
- Symbolism:  
  - Purity, chastity, spiritual refinement.  
  - Protection for women and young girls; sometimes invoked for health and safety in the family.

2. Lan Caihe (蓝采和)

- Role: The most mysterious and unconventional of the Eight.
- Gender: Often ambiguous – depicted as a young boy, a girl, or an androgynous figure. This ambiguity itself is symbolic of transcending worldly categories.
- Iconography:  
  - Wears tattered, mismatched clothes and a loose belt.  
  - Carries a flower basket or string of flowers and frequently wears only one shoe or goes barefoot.  
  - Sometimes depicted playing clappers.
- Story highlights:  
  - Known as a wandering street singer or entertainer, often drunk or acting foolish.  
  - Suddenly ascends to immortality—some versions say they stepped onto a crane or simply soared into the sky.
- Symbolism:  
  - Detachment from material concerns.  
  - The idea that spiritual truth can be found outside social rules and appearance.  
  - Patron of performers and the marginalized.

3. Li Tieguai (李铁拐)

- Name meaning: Li with the Iron Crutch.
- Iconography:  
  - A lame beggar with an iron crutch.  
  - Carries a gourd (葫芦) from which vapors, medicines, or spirits emerge.
- Story highlights:  
  - Originally a handsome, devoted Daoist cultivator who could exit his body to commune with the divine.  
  - Once, while his spirit was away, his disciple cremated his body, thinking he was dead.  
  - Returning, Li had to enter the only nearby body – a disabled beggar’s corpse. Instead of lamenting, he accepted it and continued his cultivation, achieving immortality.
- Symbolism:  
  - Compassion for the sick and poor; he is invoked as a healer.  
  - Teaches that the outer body is not as important as inner cultivation.  
  - The gourd symbolizes healing medicines and the ability to store and release spiritual power.

4. Han Xiangzi (韩湘子)

- Role: Youthful immortal, associated with music and learning.
- Iconography:  
  - Holds or plays a bamboo or jade flute.  
  - Often depicted amidst nature — flowers, birds, or mountains.
- Story highlights:  
  - Traditionally said to be the nephew of the famous Tang scholar Han Yu.  
  - Han Yu was a rationalist critical of religion; Han Xiangzi represents the other path, embracing Daoism and mysticism.  
  - Stories tell of him using his flute to cause flowers to bloom, animals to dance, or to reveal truths.
- Symbolism:  
  - Harmony of nature and humanity.  
  - The power of art, especially music, to transform the spirit.  
  - Patron of musicians and scholars who seek a freer, more intuitive understanding.

5. Cao Guojiu (曹国舅)

- Title meaning: Imperial Brother-in-law or Imperial Uncle Cao.
- Iconography:  
  - Wears court robes.  
  - Holds jade tablets or clappers symbolizing his official rank.
- Story highlights:  
  - Said to be the brother of an empress (or high-ranking consort) of the Song dynasty.  
  - A relative committed grave crimes, and Cao Guojiu, ashamed and unable to bear the corruption, withdrew from court life to seek spiritual cultivation.  
  - Eventually met immortals like Lu Dongbin and Zhongli Quan, who guided him to enlightenment.
- Symbolism:  
  - Moral integrity and the possibility of redemption, even for the privileged.  
  - Protection for officials; invoked for justice and fair governance.  
  - Represents transforming worldly power into moral and spiritual strength.

6. Lu Dongbin (吕洞宾)

- Role: The most famous and central figure among the Eight; often seen as their leader.
- Iconography:  
  - A scholar with a sword slung across his back.  
  - Sometimes holds a fly-whisk or a scroll.
- Story highlights:  
  - Said to have been a Tang scholar who repeatedly failed the imperial examinations, leading him to question worldly success.  
  - In the famous Yellow Millet Dream, he dreams of a lifetime of success, power, and downfall, then wakes to find only millet cooking – realizing how fleeting worldly glory is.  
  - Trained by Zhongli Quan, he learns swordsmanship and inner alchemy, becoming an immortal who slays demons and helps people.
- Symbolism:  
  - The sword represents cutting through illusion and ignorance.  
  - Patron of scholars, swordsmen, and those striving for discipline and wisdom.  
  - Embodies the Daoist ideal of combining literary refinement with martial courage.

7. Zhang Guolao (张果老)

- Role: An eccentric elder immortal.
- Iconography:  
  - Old man with a white beard, riding a white donkey (or mule) backwards.  
  - Carries a bamboo tube drum with two rods or a fish-drum.
- Story highlights:  
  - Said to live reclusively in mountains, riding his donkey great distances; when he stopped, he folded the donkey up like paper and put it in his bag, then revived it with water.  
  - Claimed he was so old he had seen many ages and dynasties come and go.
- Symbolism:  
  - Reversal (riding backwards) suggests seeing the world differently, or understanding the past and future at once.  
  - Patron of the elderly and of recluses; symbolizes long life and unconventional wisdom.

8. Zhongli Quan (钟离权)

- Role: One of the oldest and highest-ranking immortals in the group; sometimes seen as Lu Dongbin’s master.
- Iconography:  
  - A large-bellied, bearded man.  
  - Holds a palm-leaf fan.
- Story highlights:  
  - Often depicted as a former general who, after military defeat or disillusionment, renounced worldly power.  
  - His fan can revive the dead, turn stones into gold and silver, or dispel misfortune.  
  - He teaches inner alchemy – refining essence, energy, and spirit.
- Symbolism:  
  - Transformation, charity, and spiritual power.  
  - His ability to create wealth from stones also warns against greed: true value lies in spiritual cultivation, not riches.  
  - Patron of those seeking deep Daoist internal practices.

C. Collective Symbolism of the Eight Immortals

Together, the Eight Immortals represent:

- Different social classes:  
  - Beggar (Li Tieguai), imperial relative (Cao Guojiu), scholar (Lu Dongbin, Han Xiangzi), performer (Lan Caihe), maiden (He Xiangu), old recluse (Zhang Guolao), former general (Zhongli Quan).
- Different ages and genders:  
  - Young, middle-aged, elderly; male, female, and ambiguous.
- Key virtues and values:  
  - Compassion, integrity, detachment from worldly status, artistic inspiration, humor, and open-mindedness.

In folk religion and art, they are believed to:

- Grant blessings, health, and longevity.  
- Offer protection at sea and on journeys (because of the crossing the sea legends).  
- Inspire creativity, learning, and moral courage.

D. Influence in Art, Literature, and Daily Life

- Visual arts: The Eight Immortals appear on porcelain, wood carvings, door paintings, temple murals, embroidery, and jewelry. Their eight magical objects alone (without their figures) are also used as auspicious symbols.
- Literature and opera: Many regional operas and stories tell their adventures, trials, and interactions with demons, emperors, and common people.
- Festivals and temples: They are venerated in various Daoist temples, and images of them are common in Chinese communities throughout East and Southeast Asia.
- Everyday symbolism:  
  - 八仙过海，各显神通 – The Eight Immortals cross the sea, each showing their own powers – is a common saying meaning: everyone uses their unique abilities to solve a problem.

The Eight Immortal Figurines - Geomancy.net Collection

 

*** This is Pure Fantasy ***

The Eight Immortals crossing the sea.. Oops!
Three are missing on this boat.. maybe.. they are on the 2nd boat.. LOL

Imagined by Meta AI