The Eight Immortals are the eight immortals who have attained enlightenment and are widely circulated among the people. *** Seven boys and one girl, namely Han Zhongli (Zhongli Quan), Zhang Guolao, Han Xiangzi, Tieguaili, Cao Guojiu, Lu Dongbin, Lan Caihe and He Xiangu. The legend of the Eight Immortals is very early. In the Tang Dynasty, there were "Eight Immortals Pictures" and "Eight Immortals Biography", but the names of the people in them have not yet been fixed. It was not until Wu Yuantai's novel "Journey to the East" of the Ming Dynasty that the above eight people were identified.
It is said that the Eight Immortals represent the eight aspects of Chinese people: male, female, old, young, rich, noble, poor, and humble. The magical instruments used by the Eight Immortals, collectively called the "Dark Eight Immortals", all have certain meanings. The treasure fish drum held by Zhang Guolao can predict life; Lu Dongbin's sword can suppress evil and exorcise demons; Han Xiangzi's flute can make all things grow; He Xiangu's lotus can cultivate one's moral character; Li Tieguai's gourd can save all living beings; Zhong Liquan's fan can bring the dead back to life; Cao Cao's fan can bring the dead back to life; Guojiu's jade plate can calm the environment; Lan Caihe's flower basket can connect the gods.
The Eight Immortals are all loose immortals among the gods. He is also a god who punishes evil and promotes good, and helps the world and the poor. There are many stories about them in folklore, one of which is "Eight Immortals cleverly punish evil and old wealth". But the stories of "Eight Immortals Celebrating Birthday" and "Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea" are the most widely circulated. According to Taoist records and folklore, the "deeds" of the Eight Immortals are as follows:
Tieguai Li, also known as Li Tieguai. Li Tieguai, according to legend, was named Li Ningyang, or Hongshui, with a small name of Guaier, and his own name was Li Kongmu. I once met Taishang Laojun and gained enlightenment. While wandering in a fugue, his body was accidentally cremated by his apprentice. The wandering soul had no place to go, and instead possessed the body of a starved person. His face was unkempt, his belly was flat and he was lame. He sprayed water on the bamboo stick he was leaning on and turned it into an iron stick, so he was called "Tieguai Li". Yuan Yue Bochuan's drama script "Lü Dongbin Du Tieguai Li Yue" once recorded this incident, and was later adopted into "Journey to the East", but the plot is different.
Zhongli of the Han Dynasty, his original surname was Zhongli, his given name was Quan, and later he was renamed Jue. He was from Yantai, with the courtesy name Jidao, his nickname Heguzi, and his nickname Zhengyangzi. According to legend, when he was born, he was struck by a light that was several feet high and looked like a blazing fire. Inspired by Tieguai Li, he went up the mountain to learn Taoism. After coming down from the mountain, he killed tigers with flying swords and helped people with gold. Finally, he ascended to heaven with his brother Jian on the same day and passed away to Lu Dongbin. See "Journey to the East". Legends about its gods originated from the Five Dynasties and Northern Song Dynasty. Volume 19 of "Xuanhe Shupu": "I don't know when the immortal Mr. Zhongli was born. He said he was born in the Han Dynasty. Lu Dongbin was born in the Han Dynasty. Mr. Lu Dongbin was the disciple." Later he was called "Han Zhongli". Unnamed. Zhongli Quan wears his hair in a bun with his hair in a bun to preach, shakes a fan in his hand, exposes his big belly, and looks like an immortal.
Zhang Guolao, also known as Zhang Guo. He was originally a Taoist priest in the Tang Dynasty. According to legend, he lived in seclusion in Tiaoshan, Hengzhou. Wu Zetian of the Tang Dynasty claimed to be hundreds of years old. Empress Wu called him out of the mountain, but he pretended to be dead and refused to go. He often rides a white donkey upside down and travels thousands of miles a day. During the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, an envoy was sent to invite him to the court, and he was awarded the title of Yinqing Guanglu doctor and the title of Mr. Tongxuan. His story was first seen in "Miscellaneous Records of the Ming Emperor". Both the new and old "Tang Shu" have "Zhang Guo Zhuan", which lists the techniques.
He Xiangu, named Qiong, was from Lingling, Yongzhou. When he was thirteen years old, he went to the mountains to pick tea and met Lu Dongbin. Later, she dreamed of a god teaching her how to use mica powder, so she swore not to marry, traveled to and from the valley, and flew lightly. He goes out in the morning every day and returns with fruits from the mountain in the evening to serve his mother. After the corpse is released, the immortal goes away.
Lan Caihe, seclusion in the Tang Dynasty. The story was first seen in "Xuxian Zhuan" by Shen Fen of the Southern Tang Dynasty. He usually wears a torn blue shirt, one boot and one barefoot. In summer, he wears cotton wool and in winter, he sleeps in the snow. His breath is like steam. Lan Caihe and Chang Xingge were begging in the city. They were holding a big clapper more than three feet long. They seemed drunk but not drunk. They sang, "When Lan Caihe sang to Lan Caihe, how could the world be? A beautiful spring tree, a passing shuttle." They were all immortals who had escaped from the world. meaning. Later, Zhongli Quan was transformed and left on the clouds.
Lu Dongbin, also known as Lu Yan, was given the courtesy name Dongbin and his nickname Chunyangzi. According to legend, Lu Dongbin met Zhongliquan after he failed to become a Jinshi. Zhongli cooked yellow rice on the stove and gave Dongbin a pillow to sleep on. He dreamed that he was a Jinshi, became an official, was promoted to a minister, got married, became a prime minister, was falsely accused, was convicted, and his family was destroyed. Poverty and poverty... I woke up suddenly, and the yellow rice was still not ripe. I realized that there was no joy in being rich, and there was no worry in being cheap. The world was just a dream. Then he abandoned his family, worshiped Zhong Liquan as his teacher, and went to Mount Zhongnan to practice Taoism. Legend has it that he killed dragons in Jianghuai, played cranes in Yueyang, and got drunk in inns. Myths and legends about him probably originated in the Yuezhou area of ??the Northern Song Dynasty. There are many stories about him in novels and operas.
Han Xiangzi, whose name is Xiang and whose courtesy name is Qingfu, is said to be Han Yu’s great-nephew.
According to legend, Han Xiang studied Taoism since he was a child and followed Lu Chunyang. Later, he climbed a peach tree and fell to his death, dismembered his body and became an immortal. When Han Yuguan paid his respects to the Minister of Punishment, the house was crowded with guests and friends congratulated him. Han Xiangzi persuaded Han Yu to abandon his official position and study Taoism, while Han Yu encouraged Han Xiangzi to abandon Taoism and learn Taoism. Han Xiangzi used a gourd with a diameter of one inch to drink wine all over the guests, counting buckets without exhaustion. He also covered the pot with soil, and two flowers blossomed, with a couplet written in gold: Where is my home in the Qinling Mountains where the clouds are crossing, and the snow embraces the blue gate, and the horse can't move forward. Later, Han Yu greeted the matter of Buddha's bones with admonitions and was demoted to Chaozhou. He went to other families to take up his post. He passed through Languan when it snowed heavily and his horses were tired on the road. Han Xiangzi came in the snow. Han Yu asked about the place, which was Languan, and lamented that Han Xiangzi's prediction came true. Later, Xiangzi of Han protected Yu and returned to his post. He followed Yu and moved to Yuanzhou, and finally converted his uncle Han Yu into Taoism.
Uncle Cao Guo, surnamed Cao and named Jingxiu, was from Xuzhou. Song Renzong was the younger brother of Empress Cao, so he was called Guojiu. Because his younger brother Jingzhi was guilty of illegal murder, Cao Jingxiu was ashamed to be exposed to others and lived in seclusion on the rocks. He wore a Ge scarf and wild clothes, determined to cultivate his truth. After Zhong Liquan and Lu Dongbin's transformation, Cao Guojiu learned the secret of returning the truth and became a true Taoist. Zhong Liquan and Lu Dongbin were introduced to the Immortal Class. Among the Eight Immortals, he has the least deeds and the latest origin.
The Eight Immortals wish you longevity
The Eight Immortals are gods who punish evil and promote good, and look up to the rich and help the poor. They regularly go to the Queen Mother of the West Peach Conference to celebrate birthdays, so they are widely used as birthday materials among the people.
The magical instruments used by the Eight Immortals, collectively called the "Eight Dark Immortals", all have certain meanings.
The fish drum is a treasure held by Zhang Guolao, "the fish drum beats Sanskrit sounds frequently", which can predict life;
The sword is a treasure held by Lu Dongbin, "the sword appears with spiritual light and is full of magic", It can suppress evil and exorcise demons;
The flute is a treasure held by Han Xiangzi, "the purple flute blows thousands of waves to calm down" and makes all things grow;
The lotus is a treasure held by He Xiangu, "holding in the hand" "The lotus is not stained by dust" and can cultivate one's moral character;
The gourd is a treasure held by Li Tieguai, "the gourd can only hold five blessings", it can save all living beings;
The fan is a treasure held by Zhong Liquan, "it is light and light" "Shaking a small fan makes me happy", it can bring the dead back to life;
The jade board, a treasure held by Uncle Cao Guo, "the harmony of the jade board is clear and clear", can calm the environment;
Flower basket, blue The treasures held by Caihe, "the flower basket contains extraordinary things", can have wide access to the gods.