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Fuxi, alongside his wife/sister Nuwa, was an important deity in Chinese mythology and folk religion. Like his sister, he is often depicted with serpentine qualities, sometimes with the upper body of a man and the lower body of a snake or just a human head on a snake's body. He is counted as the first of the Three Sovereigns at the beginning of the Chinese dynastic period.<br/><br/> After Pangu created the universe and the world, he birthed a powerful being known as Hua Hsu, who in turn birthed the twins Fuxi and Nuwa. They were said to be the 'original humans', and together they forged humanity out of clay. They subsequently became two of the Three Emperors in the early patriarchal society in China (c. 2,600 BCE). Fuxi also invented hunting, fishing and cooking, teaching these skills to humanity, as well as creating the Cangjie system of writing and marriage rituals.<br/><br/> Fuxi is still considered to this day as one of the most important primogenitors of Chinese civilisation and culture, and is considered the originator of the 'I Ching'. Fuxi was said to have died after living for 197 years in a place called Chen (modern Huaiyang), where there is now a monument to him which has become a popular tourist attraction.
Fuxi, alongside his wife/sister Nuwa, was an important deity in Chinese mythology and folk religion. Like his sister, he is often depicted with serpentine qualities, sometimes with the upper body of a man and the lower body of a snake or just a human head on a snake's body. He is counted as the first of the Three Sovereigns at the beginning of the Chinese dynastic period.<br/><br/> After Pangu created the universe and the world, he birthed a powerful being known as Hua Hsu, who in turn birthed the twins Fuxi and Nuwa. They were said to be the 'original humans', and together they forged humanity out of clay. They subsequently became two of the Three Emperors in the early patriarchal society in China (c. 2,600 BCE). Fuxi also invented hunting, fishing and cooking, teaching these skills to humanity, as well as creating the Cangjie system of writing and marriage rituals.<br/><br/> Fuxi is still considered to this day as one of the most important primogenitors of Chinese civilisation and culture, and is considered the originator of the 'I Ching'. Fuxi was said to have died after living for 197 years in a place called Chen (modern Huaiyang), where there is now a monument to him which has become a popular tourist attraction.
Nuwa, sometimes also known as Nugua, is an ancient Chinese goddess who is most famous for the creation of mankind and repairing the pillar of heaven. She is often depicted as either a woman with a serpentine lower body or even just a woman's head on a serpent's body, earning her the name 'Snake Goddess'. Nuwa and her brother/husband Fuxi forged humanity out of clay, breathing life into them.<br/><br/> After a fight between the fire god Zhurong and the sea monster Gong Gong caused the latter to smash into Buzhou Mountain, one of the pillars holding up the sky, calamity ensued. Great floods and much suffering affected the people, and Nuwa is said to have cut the legs off the giant turtle Ao, using them in place of the fallen pillar to end the disaster. However, she was not able to fully correct the tilted sky and earth, thus explaining why Chinese rivers generally flow to the southeast while the sun, moon and stars move towards the northwest.<br/><br/> Nuwa also plays an important role in the Ming Dynasty novel 'Fengshen Yanyi, after King Zhou of Shang Dynasty insulted the goddess by lusting after her and writing an obscene poem on the wall of her temple. In vengeance, she sent three spirits to bewitch King Zhou, eventually causing the downfall of the Shang Dynasty.
Changxi is a Chinese lunar deity worshipped in traditional Chinese folk religion. An ancient goddess form ancient times, the earliest historical information on Changxi came from the first copies of 'Shan Hai Jing', which have existed since the 4th century BCE.<br/><br/> Alongside the sun goddess Xihe, Changxi was one of the two wives of Di Jun, God of the Eastern Heaven. She gave birth to twelve moon daughters, who would each complete a full journey across the heavens every night. Her significance in the Chinese pantheon would wane over time, until she was 'demoted to a minor position'.<br/><br/> Changxi and Xihe are a representation of Yin and Yang, with Xihe's ten suns and Changxi's twelve moons reflecting the Chinese solar and lunar calenders.
Xihe, Mother of the Suns, was a solar deity from Chinese mythology and Chinese folk religion. Alongside Changxi, she was one of the two wives of Di Jun, God of the Eastern Heaven, and the mother of the ten three-legged sunbirds who lived in a mulberry tree in the East Sea known as the Fusang.<br/><br/> Every day, one of her sunbirds would travel with her on her sun chariot, pulled by a dragon-horse (kirin). Together they would bring light to the mortal world, but one day the sunbirds became restless and mischievous, and all left the Fusang at once. This resulted in great calamity throughout the earth, leading to the divine archer Houyi shooting down all but one of Xihe's errant offspring.
In East Asian mythology, Yama is a <i>dharmapala</i> (wrathful god) and King of Hell. It is his duty to judge the dead and rule over the various hells and purgatories, presiding over the cycle of <i>samsara</i> (cyclic, circuitous change). Yama has spread from being a Hindu god to finding roles in Buddhism as well as in Chinese, Korean and Japanese mythology.<br/><br/> Yama's role in Theravada Buddhism is vague and not well defined, though he is still a caretaker of hell and the dead. He judges those who die to determine if they are to be reborn to earth, to the heavens or to the hells. Sometimes there are more than one Yama, each presiding over one of the distinct hells. In Tibetan Buddhism, Yama is seen as a guardian of spiritual practice, and regarded with horror for his role in the cycle of death and rebirth.<br/><br/> In Chinese mythology, and similar stories in Korea and Japan, he is primarily known as either Yanluo or King Yan, and is the god of death and overseer of the Ten Kings of Hell. He is portrayed as a large man with bulging eyes, a long beard and a scowling red face. He is both ruler and judge of the underworld, and is always found alongside his two guardians, Ox-Head and Horse-Face. Those spirits who do good are rewarded, while those who have sinned are punished and tortured.
In East Asian mythology, Yama is a <i>dharmapala</i> (wrathful god) and King of Hell. It is his duty to judge the dead and rule over the various hells and purgatories, presiding over the cycle of <i>samsara</i> (cyclic, circuitous change). Yama has spread from being a Hindu god to finding roles in Buddhism as well as in Chinese, Korean and Japanese mythology.<br/><br/> Yama's role in Theravada Buddhism is vague and not well defined, though he is still a caretaker of hell and the dead. He judges those who die to determine if they are to be reborn to earth, to the heavens or to the hells. Sometimes there are more than one Yama, each presiding over one of the distinct hells. In Tibetan Buddhism, Yama is seen as a guardian of spiritual practice, and regarded with horror for his role in the cycle of death and rebirth.<br/><br/> In Chinese mythology, and similar stories in Korea and Japan, he is primarily known as either Yanluo or King Yan, and is the god of death and overseer of the Ten Kings of Hell. He is portrayed as a large man with bulging eyes, a long beard and a scowling red face. He is both ruler and judge of the underworld, and is always found alongside his two guardians, Ox-Head and Horse-Face. Those spirits who do good are rewarded, while those who have sinned are punished and tortured.
Guanyin, short for Guanshiyin, is a bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism often associated with compassion and mercy. While she is often portrayed as a woman, she is beyond gender and can be depicted as both male and female.<br/><br/> Guanyin is often referred to as the 'most widely beloved Buddhist Divinity', due to her miraculous powers and her loving compassion. She is not only worshipped in Buddhism, but also in Taoism and Chinese folk religion, with various stories and legends about her. Guanyin plays a very important role in the classic Chinese novel 'Journey to the West.'<br/><br/> She is known by various names in different nations, with the Japanese calling her Kannon/Kwannon, or more formally Kanzeon, while in Thailand she is called Kuan Im. She is extremely popular, with temples dedicated to her found throughout South and East Asia, especially in China and Chinese folk religion.
Guanyin, short for Guanshiyin, is a bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism often associated with compassion and mercy. While she is often portrayed as a woman, she is beyond gender and can be depicted as both male and female.<br/><br/> Guanyin is often referred to as the 'most widely beloved Buddhist Divinity', due to her miraculous powers and her loving compassion. She is not only worshipped in Buddhism, but also in Taoism and Chinese folk religion, with various stories and legends about her. Guanyin plays a very important role in the classic Chinese novel 'Journey to the West.'<br/><br/> She is known by various names in different nations, with the Japanese calling her Kannon/Kwannon, or more formally Kanzeon, while in Thailand she is called Kuan Im. She is extremely popular, with temples dedicated to her found throughout South and East Asia, especially in China and Chinese folk religion.
Guanyin, short for Guanshiyin, is a bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism often associated with compassion and mercy. While she is often portrayed as a woman, she is beyond gender and can be depicted as both male and female.<br/><br/> Guanyin is often referred to as the 'most widely beloved Buddhist Divinity', due to her miraculous powers and her loving compassion. She is not only worshipped in Buddhism, but also in Taoism and Chinese folk religion, with various stories and legends about her. Guanyin plays a very important role in the classic Chinese novel 'Journey to the West.'<br/><br/> She is known by various names in different nations, with the Japanese calling her Kannon/Kwannon, or more formally Kanzeon, while in Thailand she is called Kuan Im. She is extremely popular, with temples dedicated to her found throughout South and East Asia, especially in China and Chinese folk religion.
Guanyin, short for Guanshiyin, is a bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism often associated with compassion and mercy. While she is often portrayed as a woman, she is beyond gender and can be depicted as both male and female.<br/><br/> Guanyin is often referred to as the 'most widely beloved Buddhist Divinity', due to her miraculous powers and her loving compassion. She is not only worshipped in Buddhism, but also in Taoism and Chinese folk religion, with various stories and legends about her. Guanyin plays a very important role in the classic Chinese novel 'Journey to the West.'<br/><br/> She is known by various names in different nations, with the Japanese calling her Kannon/Kwannon, or more formally Kanzeon, while in Thailand she is called Kuan Im. She is extremely popular, with temples dedicated to her found throughout South and East Asia, especially in China and Chinese folk religion.
Guanyin, short for Guanshiyin, is a bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism often associated with compassion and mercy. While she is often portrayed as a woman, she is beyond gender and can be depicted as both male and female.<br/><br/> Guanyin is often referred to as the 'most widely beloved Buddhist Divinity', due to her miraculous powers and her loving compassion. She is not only worshipped in Buddhism, but also in Taoism and Chinese folk religion, with various stories and legends about her. Guanyin plays a very important role in the classic Chinese novel 'Journey to the West.'<br/><br/> She is known by various names in different nations, with the Japanese calling her Kannon/Kwannon, or more formally Kanzeon, while in Thailand she is called Kuan Im. She is extremely popular, with temples dedicated to her found throughout South and East Asia, especially in China and Chinese folk religion.
In Taoism, a <i>xian</i> is used to describe an enlightened person, almost always immortals. They have, through self-reflection and devotion, reached a state in Taoism where they have attained spiritual and physical immortality, usually also involving methods such as alchemy, breath meditation, <i>qigong</i> and <i>tai chi</i>.<br/><br/><i>Xian</i> are often described as superhuman and with a variety of magical and supernatural abilities, such as immunity to heat and cold, flight, and superhuman speeds. Some can survive on just air and dew, or can use their magic to bring death or grant life.
Huang Chuping, sometimes known as Wong Cho Ping, was the human form of the Chinese Daoist deity Huang Daxian, also known as Wong Tai Sin. The name Huang Daxian translates as 'Great Immortal Huang (Wong)'.<br/><br/> Huang Chuping was a Daoist hermit from Zheijang, born in 238 CE, though some Western sources list his birth as c. 284 to 364 CE. Huang Chuping was said to have experienced great hunger and poverty in his youth, becoming a shepherd by his eighth birthday. One day, when he was fifteen years old, he met an immortal on Red Pine Mountain, and began practising Daoism as a result. After forty years, he was able to transform stones into sheep, and eventually became known as the Red Pine Immortal.<br/><br/> Worship of him is popular in Jinhua, Zhejiang and Hong Kong, where he is often prayed to for his powers of healing.
Chang'e or Chang-o, originally known as Heng'e, is the Chinese goddess of the moon. There are many tales and legends about her in Chinese mythology and folk religion, usually involving her husband Houyi, the elixir of life and the moon, and representing the origin of the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival.<br/><br/> The general tale goes that in the distant past, ten suns had risen up into the sky to scorch the earth and cause great calamity for the people. The suns were, in some versions of the story, the children of the Jade Emperor, and so he sent the immortal archer Hou Yi to stop their mischief. Hou Yi instead shot down nine of them, leaivng only one in the sky, and therefore was punished by being made mortal and sent down to the earth, where he lived with his wife, Chang'e. In other versions of the tale, he was mortal at first, and freely given the elixir of immortality as a reward for his efforts.<br/><br/> Whatever version of the story, he ends up with the elixir of immortality in his care, but does not consume it right away, wishing to share it with Chang'e. However, while Hou Yi was away, his apprentice Fengmeng, broke into the house and attempted to forcefuly steal the elixir. Chang'e escaped his wrath by consuming the elixir herself, becoming immortal and flying up towards the heavens, eventually landing on the moon. Hou Yi became greatly saddened at what had occurred, and gave sacrifices of fruits and cakes to her memory, and thus the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival came to be, a celebration that still occurs on the full moon night of the eighth lunar month.
Chang'e or Chang-o, originally known as Heng'e, is the Chinese goddess of the moon. There are many tales and legends about her in Chinese mythology and folk religion, usually involving her husband Houyi, the elixir of life and the moon, and representing the origin of the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival.<br/><br/> The general tale goes that in the distant past, ten suns had risen up into the sky to scorch the earth and cause great calamity for the people. The suns were, in some versions of the story, the children of the Jade Emperor, and so he sent the immortal archer Hou Yi to stop their mischief. Hou Yi instead shot down nine of them, leaivng only one in the sky, and therefore was punished by being made mortal and sent down to the earth, where he lived with his wife, Chang'e. In other versions of the tale, he was mortal at first, and freely given the elixir of immortality as a reward for his efforts.<br/><br/> Whatever version of the story, he ends up with the elixir of immortality in his care, but does not consume it right away, wishing to share it with Chang'e. However, while Hou Yi was away, his apprentice Fengmeng, broke into the house and attempted to forcefuly steal the elixir. Chang'e escaped his wrath by consuming the elixir herself, becoming immortal and flying up towards the heavens, eventually landing on the moon. Hou Yi became greatly saddened at what had occurred, and gave sacrifices of fruits and cakes to her memory, and thus the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival came to be, a celebration that still occurs on the full moon night of the eighth lunar month.
The Eight Immortals are a group of legendary <i>xian</i> (immortals) in Chinese mythology, folk religion and Taoism. The Eight Immortals are believed to have been born in either the Tang or Song Dynasty, though they were first described in the Yuan Dynasty, most likely named after the Eight Immortals Scholars of the Han.<br/><br/> The names of the Immortals were: He Xiangu; Cao Guojiu; Li Tieguai; Lan Caihe; Lu Dongbin; Han Xiangzi; Zhang Guolao; and Zhongli Quan. They were each said to have in their possession a tool with which they could transfer their power to and either bestow life or destroy evil, known as the 'Covert Eight Immortals'. They were believed to have lived on a group of five islands, including Penglai Mountain-Island, in the Bohai Sea.<br/><br/> The Eight Immortals are considered signs of longevity and prosperity, and are very popular in art and literature. They are a commonly seen element in secular Chinese culture and revered by Taoists, with many shrines dedicated to them scattered throughout China, Taiwan and Singapore.
Guanyin, short for Guanshiyin, is a bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism often associated with compassion and mercy. While she is often portrayed as a woman, she is beyond gender and can be depicted as both male and female.<br/><br/> Guanyin is often referred to as the 'most widely beloved Buddhist Divinity', due to her miraculous powers and her loving compassion. She is not only worshipped in Buddhism, but also in Taoism and Chinese folk religion, with various stories and legends about her. Guanyin plays a very important role in the classic Chinese novel 'Journey to the West.'<br/><br/> She is known by various names in different nations, with the Japanese calling her Kannon/Kwannon, or more formally Kanzeon, while in Thailand she is called Kuan Im. She is extremely popular, with temples dedicated to her found throughout South and East Asia, especially in China and Chinese folk religion.
He Xiangu, sometimes written as He Xian Gu and born as He Qiong, is a Chinese mythological character and one of the Eight Immortals in the Daoist pantheon. She is often portrayed as the only woman among the Eight Immortals, though sometimes Lan Caihe's sex is portrayed somewhat ambigiously. He Xiangu is said to have been born and lived during the Tang Dynasty.<br/><br/> He Xiangu was the daughter of He Tai, a man from Guangzhou, and she was born with six long hairs on the crown of her head. When she was around 14 or 15 years old, she was visited in her dreams by a divine persoange who instructed her to eat powdered mica, so that her body could become etherealised and immune from death. She eventually ascended to Heaven in broad daylight, becoming a <i>xian</i> (immortal).<br/><br/> He Xiangu is often depicted holding a lotus flower, which improves one's physical and mental health. She also sometimes carries a musical instrument known as a 'sheng' or a 'fenghuang', and can also be depicted with a bamboo ladle or a fly-whisk.
The Eight Immortals are a group of legendary <i>xian</i> (immortals) in Chinese mythology, folk religion and Taoism. The Eight Immortals are believed to have been born in either the Tang or Song Dynasty, though they were first described in the Yuan Dynasty, most likely named after the Eight Immortals Scholars of the Han.<br/><br/> The names of the Immortals were: He Xiangu; Cao Guojiu; Li Tieguai; Lan Caihe; Lu Dongbin; Han Xiangzi; Zhang Guolao; and Zhongli Quan. They were each said to have in their possession a tool with which they could transfer their power to and either bestow life or destroy evil, known as the 'Covert Eight Immortals'. They were believed to have lived on a group of five islands, including Penglai Mountain-Island, in the Bohai Sea.<br/><br/> The Eight Immortals are considered signs of longevity and prosperity, and are very popular in art and literature. They are a commonly seen element in secular Chinese culture and revered by Taoists, with many shrines dedicated to them scattered throughout China, Taiwan and Singapore.
Guanyin, short for Guanshiyin, is a bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism often associated with compassion and mercy. While she is often portrayed as a woman, she is beyond gender and can be depicted as both male and female.<br/><br/> Guanyin is often referred to as the 'most widely beloved Buddhist Divinity', due to her miraculous powers and her loving compassion. She is not only worshipped in Buddhism, but also in Taoism and Chinese folk religion, with various stories and legends about her. Guanyin plays a very important role in the classic Chinese novel 'Journey to the West.'<br/><br/> She is known by various names in different nations, with the Japanese calling her Kannon/Kwannon, or more formally Kanzeon, while in Thailand she is called Kuan Im. She is extremely popular, with temples dedicated to her found throughout South and East Asia, especially in China and Chinese folk religion.
Li Tieguai, also known as Tieguai Li and born as Li Yuan, is a Chinese mythological character and one of the Eight Immortals. Though he is often portrayed as being ill-tempered and irascible, he is benevolent and kind to the poor, sick and the needy, curing and alleviating the pain of others with special medicine from his magical gourd. Li Tieguai was said to have been born during the Yuan Dynasty.<br/><br/> In Chinese folklore, Li Tieguai was said to have originally been Laozi's apprentice, which would have put his birth some time in the sixth century BCE rather than during the Yuan Dynasty. Either way, he is said to have devoted himself to religious contemplation for 40 years, overcoming various tests and tasks Laozi set for him eventually becoming an immortal.<br/><br/> Li Tieguai was said to have been a handsome man once, but during his path towards immortality, there was an incident when his spirit left his body and ascended to Heaven to meet other immortals. While away, his body was cremated, and when Li's spirit returned, he had to enter the corpse of an ugly and disheveled homeless beggar who had just recently starved to death. Li Tieguai is the second most popular of the Eight Immortals, and associated with medicine.
Fuxi, alongside his wife/sister Nuwa, was an important deity in Chinese mythology and folk religion. Like his sister, he is often depicted with serpentine qualities, sometimes with the upper body of a man and the lower body of a snake or just a human head on a snake's body. He is counted as the first of the Three Sovereigns at the beginning of the Chinese dynastic period.<br/><br/> After Pangu created the universe and the world, he birthed a powerful being known as Hua Hsu, who in turn birthed the twins Fuxi and Nuwa. They were said to be the 'original humans', and together they forged humanity out of clay. They subsequently became two of the Three Emperors in the early patriarchal society in China (c. 2,600 BCE). Fuxi also invented hunting, fishing and cooking, teaching these skills to humanity, as well as creating the Cangjie system of writing and marriage rituals.<br/><br/> Fuxi is still considered to this day as one of the most important primogenitors of Chinese civilisation and culture, and is considered the originator of the 'I Ching'. Fuxi was said to have died after living for 197 years in a place called Chen (modern Huaiyang), where there is now a monument to him which has become a popular tourist attraction.
Li Tieguai, also known as Tieguai Li and born as Li Yuan, is a Chinese mythological character and one of the Eight Immortals. Though he is often portrayed as being ill-tempered and irascible, he is benevolent and kind to the poor, sick and the needy, curing and alleviating the pain of others with special medicine from his magical gourd. Li Tieguai was said to have been born during the Yuan Dynasty.<br/><br/> In Chinese folklore, Li Tieguai was said to have originally been Laozi's apprentice, which would have put his birth some time in the sixth century BCE rather than during the Yuan Dynasty. Either way, he is said to have devoted himself to religious contemplation for 40 years, overcoming various tests and tasks Laozi set for him eventually becoming an immortal.<br/><br/> Li Tieguai was said to have been a handsome man once, but during his path towards immortality, there was an incident when his spirit left his body and ascended to Heaven to meet other immortals. While away, his body was cremated, and when Li's spirit returned, he had to enter the corpse of an ugly and disheveled homeless beggar who had just recently starved to death. Li Tieguai is the second most popular of the Eight Immortals, and associated with medicine.
Li Tieguai, also known as Tieguai Li and born as Li Yuan, is a Chinese mythological character and one of the Eight Immortals. Though he is often portrayed as being ill-tempered and irascible, he is benevolent and kind to the poor, sick and the needy, curing and alleviating the pain of others with special medicine from his magical gourd. Li Tieguai was said to have been born during the Yuan Dynasty.<br/><br/> In Chinese folklore, Li Tieguai was said to have originally been Laozi's apprentice, which would have put his birth some time in the sixth century BCE rather than during the Yuan Dynasty. Either way, he is said to have devoted himself to religious contemplation for 40 years, overcoming various tests and tasks Laozi set for him eventually becoming an immortal.<br/><br/> Li Tieguai was said to have been a handsome man once, but during his path towards immortality, there was an incident when his spirit left his body and ascended to Heaven to meet other immortals. While away, his body was cremated, and when Li's spirit returned, he had to enter the corpse of an ugly and disheveled homeless beggar who had just recently starved to death. Li Tieguai is the second most popular of the Eight Immortals, and associated with medicine.
Han Xiangzi, whose courtesy names were Qingfu and Beizhu, is a Chinese mythological character and one of the Eight Immortals. Han Xiangzi is believed to have been known as Han Xiang before his immortality, and was born in the Tang Dynasty, the grandnephew of promiment poet and scholar Han Yu.<br/><br/> Han Xiangzi became an immortal under the tutelage of Lu Dongbin, another of the Eight Immortals, who taught him the Taoist magical arts that would eventually lead to his apotheosis and immortality. He is often depicted with a 'dizi' (Chinese flute), and has therefore been regarded as the patron deity of flutists. Han Xiangzi is believed to have been the composer of the Taoist musical piece 'Tian Hua Yin'.
Cao Guojiu (Imperial Brother-in-law Cao), whose real name was Cao Yi and courtesy name was Jingxiu, is a Chinese mythological character and one of the Eight Immortals. Better known to his contemporaries as Cao Jingxiu, Cao Guojiu is believed to have been a descendant of Cao Bin, a general of the early Song Dynasty, and the younger brother of Empress Cao, wife of Emperor Renzong of the Song Dynasty.<br/><br/> Cao's younger brother Cao Jingzhi abused his imperial connections to engage in corrupt practices, leading to his brother trying to change him, with little success. Cao Guojiu also used his family's wealth to help the poor and balance his brother's misdeeds. After his brother was caught and accused by Imperial offricials for his misdeeds, Cao was so ashamed that he gave up his office and retired to the countryside as a recluse. He then met the immortals Zhongli Quan and Lu Dongbin, who taught him Daoist magical arts and helped him become immortal.<br/><br/> Cao Guojiu is often depicted in official imperial robes and holding a jade tablet or castanets. He is often recognised as the patron deity of acting and theatre.
Zhongli Quan, also known as Han Zhongli and whose courtesy name was Jidao, is a Chinese mythological character and one of the Eight Immortals. Zhongli Quan was believed to have been born in the Han Dynasty, in Yanjing.<br/><br/> It is said that during his birth, bright beams of light filled the labour room, and that after he was born he did not stop crying for seven full days. His distince features marked him out for greatness however, and he began speaking fluently either after seven days or seven years. He followed in his father's footsteps and became a member of the imperial court, becoming a general in the Han army. He fought and was defeated by the Tibetans, causing him to flee into the mountains, where he came across an old man in a spiritual sanctuary. From there he learned the ways of alchemy and immortality.<br/><br/> Armed with his alchemical knowledge and a magic fan, he began creating silver and gold coins from stones and saved people from famine and poverty. One story tells that his constant use of his magical fan eventually caused his descent into the clouds of immortality. The other story claims that he was meditating in his hermitage when one of the walls collapsed revealing a jade vessel that contained the elixir of immortality.
Lu Dongbin, whose birth name was Lu Yan and courtesy name Dongbin, is a Chinese historical character and one of the most famous of the Eight Immortals, considered by many to be the de facto leader. He is officially mentioned in the history book 'History of Song', and was often portrayed as a clever and scholarly man with a genuine desire to help people marred by flaws such as his philandering, his bouts of drunkenness and his short temper.<br/><br/> Lu Dongbin was born during the Tang Dynasty, some time around 796 CE, and was said to have been very intelligent even as a child, though he twice failed the top-level civil service exam to become a government official. He one day dreamed of getting all he had wanted, only to lose it all in the end and dying in the street alone, a dream caused by Zhongli Quan to make Lu Dongbin realise the dangers of placing too much importance on success and transient glory.<br/><br/> Lu Dongbin subsequently left to become Zhongli Quan's disicple, passing ten trials before he was deemed worthy of becoming immortal. Since then, Lu Dongbin has embarked on various adventures and stories with his fellow immortals. He is still worshipped to this day, though not by people with romantic problems, and is considered one of the earliest masters of 'neidan', or internal alchemy.
Lan Caihe is a Chinese mythological character and one of the Eight Immortals. He is perhaps the least defined of the Eight Immortals, with his age and even his sex never clearly defined. Therefore, he is often depicted as a boy or girl dressed in sexually ambigious clothing and carrying a bamboo flower basket and a pair of bamboo castanets.<br/><br/> Lan Caihe was said to have been stuck in a drunken stupor when he was swept up from the human world by a celestial swan or crane, which took him to heaven. Some stories say that he was aided in his journey to become an immortal by Sun Wukong, who transferred 500 years of magical powers to him.
Zhang Guolao, also known as Zhang Guo, is a historical figure and one of the Eight Immortals. He is said to have been born during the middle or end of the 7th century CE, during the Tang Dynasty, and was a Taoist 'fangshi' (occultist-alchemist) who lived as a hermit on Zhongtiao Mountain. Zhang was portrayed with a strong love for wine and winemaking, and was a master of 'qigong' (life energy cultivation), able to survive for days without food and only a few sips of wine.<br/><br/> Zhang Guolao claimed to be several hundred years old by the time Empress Wu Zetian came to power. He traveled often on the back of a white donkey or mule, which he could fold away and place in his pocket after he was done traveling. He constantly declined invitations to the courts of the Tang Dynasty emperors, only agreeing to leave his hermitage when Wu Zetian asked. However, he died just as he reached the gates of the Temple of the Jealous Woman, his body swiftly decomposing. He was soon seen alive and well on Zhongtiao Mountain however.<br/><br/> Zhang Guolao was considered the most eccentric of the Eight Immortals, known as an entertainer and for his various whimsical acts.