Question from the reader – Pedro Lemos – Contagem, MG
They are a group of mythological deities Chinese words that appear in legends and traditional texts of Taoist doctrine. They act like Super heroes saints and act in the lives of their devotees in various ways. Unlike the gods of polytheistic mythologies, the Eight Immortals are ordinary people who have reached enlightenment and became immortal and ethereal. They are all linked to historical figures (whether or not they actually existed) of Chinese royal dynasties between 206 BC and 1279. They could be, for example, a cousin of a Tang dynasty emperor or an unnamed general of the Song army.
superpower chinese
Discover the history and powers of each of the immortals
Cao Guojiu
Legend has it that Cao was the uncle of one of the Emperors of the Song Dynasty. When his fictional younger brother, Cao Jingzhi, murdered a man with impunity, Guojiu had a moral crisis. He abandoned the court and his worldly possessions, becoming a pilgrim. He reached enlightenment during his wanderings
Appearance and Powers – Patron of actors, Cao is represented with a jade board capable of purifying the environment in one hand and a pair of castanets in the other
He Xiangu
She is the only woman in the group. At the age of 14, a divine figure appeared in her dreams and asked her to eat a magic powder, which would make her body ethereal and immortal. Gradually, Xiangu stopped eating other foods and ascended, vowing to remain a virgin forever.
Appearance and Powers – It carries a wind instrument called sheng and a lotus flower that improves the mental and physical health of devotees. There’s a bird on your shoulder
Zhongli Quan
He is the official leader of the group. According to legend, he was one of the generals of the Han Dynasty. After being defeated by the Tibetan army, he took refuge in a mountain, where an old man taught him the secrets of enlightenment. After three days of uninterrupted lessons, Zhongli left the place and vowed to use his powers to help humanity.
Appearance and Powers – Carries a magical fan whose winds bring the dead back to life and turn stones into gold and silver
Lan Caihe
The most mysterious (or mysterious?) of the class has no defined gender. Taoist drawings always represent the deity with the body of a girl or boy (never an adult), wearing an ambiguous blue dress. His musical ability made him a patron of minstrels (singing poets itineraries)
Appearance and Powers – Walks with one bare foot and carries a basket full of flowers. An excellent singer, his lyrics predict the future. Leave coins wherever you go
Lu Dongbin
Even though he is not the official leader, he is respected by his companions as if he were. It is considered the most important deity for Taoists because it has the mission to transmit the teachings of the doctrine to humanity.
Appearance and Powers – Carries a sword on his back that is used to chase away evil spirits. Another trademark is his teacher clothes.
Li Tieguai
Also known as Li “Iron Crutch”, he is the most popular of the octet. Elder of the group, he is described as grumpy and moody. On the other hand, he is considered a generous deity, who helps the needy.
Appearance and Powers – He carries a container full of miraculous medicines and always walks with an iron crutch. Can manifest as a beggar in the physical world
Han Xiangzi
He was a student of Confucianism through the influence of his uncle, Han Yu, an important politician of the Tang Dynasty. Zi became a Taoist disciple of Lu Dongbin (another of the Immortals) and converted his uncle with a small miracle: he poured liters and liters of wine into a tiny container without it filling up.
Appearance and Powers – Considered the patron saint of flutists, Zi never lets go of his magic flute, whose sound fills his devotees with health and vitality
zhang guo lao
He is the only one of the eight with clear indications of being a historical figure. Documents point out that he lived during the Tang Dynasty as a hermit on a mountain. Reports from Empress Wu’s court say that when she met him, he already looked hundreds of years old.
Appearance and Powers – The jolly old man always rides a mule (sometimes riding backwards).
According to Taoist Feng Shui, a statue of Zhang in the home of an elderly relative brings longevity.
Etc. and Tao
Understand the doctrines that influenced these myths
Taoism
Non-institutionalized Chinese philosophy that seeks a harmonious and balanced life with the Cosmos. The Tao (“way” in Chinese) is the set of principles that followers must abide by in order to lead a righteous life. Opposes the pragmatism of Confucianism
Confucianism
Philosophical and ethical system created by the Chinese philosopher Confucius. It is a humanistic theory in which mundane things are sacred. The spiritual focus is the present, this world and the family. There is no connection with gods or the afterlife
Sources Books The Eight Immortals of Taoism: Legends and Fables of Popular Taoismby Man-ho-Kwok and Joanne O¿Brien, and Biographies of Immortals – Legends of Chinaby Herbert A. Guiles and Frederic H. Balfour
Read too:
– What was the Rape of Nanjing?
– What was the Opium War?
– What was the Chinese Cultural Revolution?