Each of the Ba Xian have defining characteristics or objects that distinguishes them from others. immortal meaning: 1. living or lasting for ever: 2. very special and famous and therefore likely to be remembered…. Each of the Ba Xian have their own special object from which they draw their powers. He was seen as a champion of the needy and ill. One of the most popular figures of the Ba Xian, Lü Dongbin was considered to be the leader of the Eight Immortals. In the Marvel Comic book series, The Immortal Iron Fist, there are eight extra-dimensional kung-fu masters called the “Eight Immortal Weapons” (based off of the Ba Xian) that appear to protect the Earth in times of need. Han Xiang Zi. He’s also has a mischievous younger brother named Cao Jingzhi (曹景植). The Ba Xian are popular subjects in art and have been depicted on everything from pottery to silk paintings. As an ever-growing archive, our mission is to catalog the world’s mythology on the web for all to enjoy. Li Tieguai—It is easy to spot LI Tieguai in art. Directed by Danny Lee, Herman Yau. The only woman in the group, He Xiang is the daughter of a shopkeeper born in … One day when he was visiting a temple, Zhang Guolao suddenly died and his body underwent rapid decomposition. Despite his wide knowledge of necromancy, he actually died this time and his body was found in the Zhongtiao Mountains. Li Tieguai carried medicine in his gourd that could cure any illness and gave it to those who need it the most. He is an actual historical figure—a scholar and poet living during the Tang Dynasty. This group is considered to be especially important figures in Taoism. Li Tieguai was then forced to inhabit the body of a dying homeless man. Li T’ieh-kuai. Learn more. Privacy Policy, https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/Chinese_Customs/eight_immortals.htm, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eight_Immortals, https://archive.org/details/StoriesAndMythsOfEightImmortals/page/n1, https://mythopedia.com/chinese-mythology/gods/eight-immortals/. He Xian Gu, Cao Guo Jiu, Taiguai Li, Lan Caihe, Lu Dongbin, Han Xiang Zi, Zhang Guo Lao, Zhongli Quan These eight gods are believed to be able to fly, disappear, and use magic. Eight Immortals 八仙 . “Eight Immortals.” Mythopedia. Being a popular symbol, the eight immortals are often depicted in various art forms - from statues to wall hangings to various household items. The Stellar Triad have a wide variety of powers. Each of the immortals represents an important aspect of living (much like the bagua does) and each god is said to possess a particular power. Although he was one of the more-well known members of the Ba Xian, Li Tieguai had a short temper and was, therefore, one of the most disliked. The best-known example is the Baxian Gong Cao Guojiu was once an official who served in the Imperial Court. Han Xiangzi was thought to have been the grandnephew of the prominent politician and poet, Han Yu. https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/Chinese_Customs/eight_immortals.htm. Lan Caihe. in English Language and Literature from the University of Texas at Austin. The religious tradition of Taoism venerates a group of eight xian (immortals) who offer a concrete symbol of this ability to transcend the limitations of ordinary human life through the beliefs and practices of Taoism. A pleasant character, he is often shown drinking wine. He Xiangu is the only woman of the group. 2. 3. Retrieved from https://mythopedia.com/chinese-mythology/gods/eight-immortals/. Born with exactly with six hairs on her head, it was obvious that there was something special about He Xianggu since her birth. 3.Who are the Eight Immortals? Only the Ba Xian were able to travel to the island since the water around it was “weak” and is unable to support the weight of ships. Han Xiangzi is believed to be the grandnephew of the prominent Tang Dynasty politician and poet, Han Yu. Among the Eight Immortals celebrated in Taoism, a number seem to have had actual historical existences. Cao Guojie may have been a descendant of the Song dynasty general, Cao Bin, and younger brother of Empress Cao. He/she is a decided eccentric, serving to symbolize a carefree life devoid of the concerns and responsibilities of ordinary life. Their images are believed to be incredibly auspicious. He was also associated with the culturally-significant story of “The Yellow Millet Dream.” In this legend, Lü Dongbin fell asleep at the stove while cooking a pot of millet. Zhang Guo Lao lived from approximately the middle of the 7th century into the 8th century, practicing as a Taoist hermit in the mountains of east-central China. At age 14, a vision came to her in a dream that told her to gradually decrease her food intake and to begin eating powdered mica everyday so she could avoid death. Their powers include: Even for Taoists who do not believe in the literal existence of the Eight Immortals and the powers they represent, these characters offer a source of inspiration, devotion, and even simple entertainment. In the series, they were the ones who banished the eight Demon Sorcerers to the Netherworld and locked their portals with the Pan'ku Box. Members of the Eight Immortals and the Old Man of the South Pole (a longevity deity) are sometimes depicted carrying a Peach of Immortality.. Because of the stories and the peach's association with long-life, peach is a common decoration (the fruit or an image thereof) on traditional birthday cakes and pastries in China. 8. Realizing that he had been gifted with special abilities by Heaven, Han Xiangzi then decided to return to his home village where he met Lü Dongbin and Zhongli Quan who taught him about Taoism against his grand-uncle’s wishes. It’s believed that after his final death, Zhang Guolao physically ascended to Heaven. Each of these symbols is the attribute of one of the Eight Immortals - legendary figures said to have obtained immortality through the elixir of life produced by alchemy or by eating magic fruits. Lu Dongbin's symbol is a magic sword that dispels evil spirits and provides him with invisibility. The Eight Immortals were a group of nomadic humans who traversed the Spirit Wilds during the time before the Avatar, when mankind lived in walled cities and constant fear of spiritual matters. After many years of Taoist study, Zhang Guolao suddenly fell ill. The 8 Immortals There is a group of deities in the Taoist religion called the Eight Immortals. He is the one with the cane and gourd. One day, the Eight Immortals were returning from offering birthday greetings to the Queen Mother of the West. The term ‘Eight Immortals’ is used to signify or represent happiness, and the number 8 is considered lucky by association, therefore objects or persons in that number are graced accordingly. She heeded the divine message and eventually ascended to Heaven. He was once a beloved Tang Dynasty poet who was immortalized as a member of the Ba Xian after his death. The Ba Xian are popular subjects in art and have been depicted on everything from pottery to silk paintings. He/she often carries a bamboo flower basket and/or a pair of bamboo clappers/ castinets. Although they have always been an important part of Chinese oral history, their stories were first recorded by the Ming Dynasty poet Wu Yuantai. © 2019 Wasai LLC – All Rights Reserved. The Bā Xiān’s name is made up of the Chinese characters for “eight,” bā (八) and xiān (仙) which means “immortal” or “celestial being.” Their name is also sometimes translated as “the Eight Genies.”, Cáo Guójiù (曹國舅)—This immortal’s name translates literally as “Imperial Brother-in-law Cao.”, Hán Xiāngzi (韓湘子)—Han Xiangzi’ name means “Han of the Xiang River.”, Hé Xiāngū (何仙姑)—The only woman in the group, He Xiangu’s name translates as “the Female Celestial Being.”, Lán Cǎihé (藍采和)—Lan Caihe’s name is comprised of the words for “blue” (藍), “gather” (采), and “gentle (和).”, Lǐ Tiěguǎi (李鐵拐)—Li Tieguai’s name translates as “Iron-Crutch Li.”, Lǚ Dòngbīn (呂洞賓)—Lü Dongbin’s name is made up of a character unique to his name, “Lǚ” (呂), dòng (洞), which can mean “hole” or “cave,” and bīn (賓) which means “visitor.”, Zhāng Guǒlǎo (張果老)—Zhang (張) is a common Chinese last name, while guǒ (果) means “fruit” and lǎo (老) means “old.”, Zhōnglí Hàn (鍾離漢)—Zhongli Han’s name is composed of the characters for “concentrate” (鍾), “distance” (離), and “han” (漢). 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