Ancient Chinese Culture
Posts Tagged eight immortals
Eight Immortals – Lu Dongbin
Posted by ancient chinese culture in Chinese Myths on September 16, 2009
Lu dongbin Is one of the most famous of Eight Immortals and considered to be the de facto leader of the group. He is also a historical figure who was mentioned in the official history book.
He was born in Jingzhao Prefecture around 796 during the Tang Dynasty. It was said that when he was born, a fragrance allegedly filled the room. He had been very intelligent since his childhood. However, he took the top-level civil service exam twice but failed.
Legend goes that one day he met Zhong Li-quan, another immortal. Lu fell asleep and dreamt that he had been promoted to a high official post and possessed enormous wealth. But then, in the dream, he was accused of crimes, lost his position and all his wealth. When he awoke from his dream he decided to forgo an official career and become a disciple of Zhongli Quan.
Eight Immortals – Zhongli Quan
Posted by ancient chinese culture in Chinese Myths on September 4, 2009
Zhongli Quan is considered as one of the leaders of the Eight Immortals. In China, he is also called as Zhongli of Han or Han Zhongli as he was said to be born during the Han Dynasty.
He was born in Yantai and was once a general serving in the army of the Han Dynasty. According to legends, bright beams of light filled the room at the moment of his birth.
He was a well-respected general in the army initially but later he became renowned as an alchemist. He was also the instructor of Lu Dongbin (his fellow immortal).
In Taoism, he is known as Zheng Yang Zu Shi, literally the True-Yang Ancestor-Master.
Eight Immortals – Chang Kuo
Posted by ancient chinese culture in Chinese Myths on August 27, 2009
The period assigned to Chang Kuo is the middle or close of the seventh to the middle of the eighth century A.D. He lived as a hermit on Chung-tiao Shan, in the prefecture of Ping-yang Fu in Shansi. The Emperors Tai Zong and Gao Zong of the Tang dynasty frequently invited him to Court, but he persistently refused to go. At last, pressed once more by the Empress Wu (684 –705 A.D.), he consented to leave his retreat, but was struck down by death at the gate of the Temple of the Jealous Woman. His body began to decay and to be eaten by worms, when lo! he was seen again, alive and well, on the mountains of Heng Chou in Ping-yang Fu. He rode on a white mule, which carried him thousands of miles in a day, and which, when the journey was finished, he folded up like a sheet of paper and put away in his wallet. When he again required its services, he had only to spurt water upon the packet from his mouth and the animal at once assumed its proper shape. At all times he performed wonderful feats of necromancy, and declared that he had been Grand Minister to the Emperor Yao (2357–2255 B.C.) during a previous existence.
About 735 A.D., he was called to Lo-yang in Honan, and elected Chief of the Imperial Academy, with the honorable title of Very Perspicacious Teacher.
It was just at this time that the famous Taoist Yeh Fa-shan, thanks to his skill in necromancy, was in great favor at Court. The Emperor asked him who this Chang Kuo Lao (he usually has the epithet Lao, ‘old,’ added to his name) was. “I know,” replied the magician; “but if I were to tell your Majesty I should fall dead at your feet, so I dare not speak unless your Majesty will promise that you will go with bare feet and bare head to ask Chang Kuo to forgive you, in which case I should immediately revive.” After the emperor promised, Fa-shan said: “Chang Kuo is a white spiritual bat which came out of primeval chaos.” No sooner had he spoken than he dropped dead at the Emperor’s feet.
The emperor, with bare head and feet, went to Chang Kuo as he had promised, and begged forgiveness for his indiscretion. The latter then sprinkled water on Fa-shan’s face and he revived. Soon after Chang fell sick and returned to die in the Heng Chou Mountains during the period 742–746 A.D. When his disciples opened his tomb, they found it empty.
He is usually seen mounted on his white mule, sometimes facing its head, sometimes its tail.
Eight Immortals
Posted by ancient chinese culture in Chinese Myths on August 10, 2009
The Eight Immortals, a group of legendary immortals, are among the most well known Chinese folk heroes from Taoist mythology.
Originally, they were eight ordinary mortals. However, due to their good works and lives, they were rewarded by the Heavenly Empress by giving them the everlasting lives.
The Immortals are:
- Han Zhongli – A Han Dynasty general, is usually shown carrying a feather fan which he uses to revive the dead.
- Lu Dongbin – Known for his drinking and fighting abilities, he always carries a demon-slaying sword and a fly whisk which he uses to walk on clouds or fly to heaven.
- Chang Kuo- Riding a donkey (sometimes backwards), he carries a tube-shaped bamboo musical instrument called yugu.
- Li Tieguai - known as “Li with the iron crutch”, carries a gourd with magic elixir.
- He Xiangu – The only female in the group and usually carries a lotus, peach or fly whisk.
- Han Xiangzi – He is always seen playing a flute. It is said that he can make flowers bloom with just his will, and soothe wild animals with his music.
- Cao Guojiu – Carrying a ruyi sceptre or castanets, he is always shown wearing formal court dress.
- Lan Caihe – Depicted as either a male or female, he usually wears a tattered blue gown and only one shoe, holding a fruit/flower basket.
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