THE EIGHT IMMORTALS


In Chinese Daoism one will find The Eight Chinese Immortals. This series honors these eight legendary beings who are based on historical characters. These beings, at different periods and for various reasons, each attained immortality. Each one of the immortals represents a different condition in life, i.e., poverty, wealth, aristocracy, plebianism, age, youth, masculinity and femininity.


Each of the immortals bear one of the attributes of the eight Daoist emblems. Stories of the Eight Immortals can be found in Chinese artforms, in folklore, drama, novels, and woodblock prints. The Eight Chinese Immortals often appeared as decoration on porcelain together with Shoulao the Star God of longevity.

Chung Li Ch'uan

Chung-li Ch'uan is the Chief of the 8 Immortals. He represents the military man and is an emblem of wealth. He possess the Elixir of Life and the power of transmutation. He is often seen carrying a peach and a fan to revive the souls of the dead. The fan Chung Li Ch'uan carries indicates delicacy of feeling, and the peach symbolizes longevity.


Ho Hsien Ku

Ho Hsien Ku is the Female Sage assists in House Management, also called the Patroness of Housewives. Her emblem is the lotus blossom. She is sometimes depicted holding a fly whisk and floating on a leaf.


Lan Ts'ai Ho

Lan Ts'ai Ho is the Patron Saint of Florists and Protector of Horticulture. Either in the form of a woman or a young boy, she/he is the symbol of delusive pleasure. She/he usually carries a basket of flowers, or carries a flute. Flute is an emblem of harmony.


Ts'ao Kuo Chiu

Ts'ao Kuo Chiu is the Patron Saint of the Theater. He often carries castanets or a jade tablet of admission to Court. Castanets is an an emblem of music.


Han Hsiang Tzu

Han Hsiang Tzu is the Patron Saint of Musician. He has the power to make flowers grow and blossom immediately. His emblem is a flute which symbolizes harmony.


Li T'ieh Kuai

Li T'ieh Kuai is the Sage of Magician and the Patron of the Sick. His emblems are an iron crutch and a gourd. Sometimes seen standing on a crab or beside a deer.

Lu Tung Pin

Lu Tung Pin is the Patron Saint of Barbers. Dressed as a scholar, he is often worshipped by the sick and honored as a scholar. He slays dragons and rids the world of evils. His emblems are the fly whisk and a magic sword.


Chang Kuo Lao

Chang Kuo Lao is the Patron of Old Men. The bamboo tube drum he carries is a symbolizes longevity. He sometimes rides his mule backwards and carries iron sticks.



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