One of the Eight Immortals
Tieguai Li
Among the Eight Immortals, Tieguai Li is the oldest and the most senior, but he was mentioned in the literature later. Also known as "Li Tieguai". The Yuan opera "Lu Dongbin Du Tieguai Li Yue" first got its name. There are many legends about her life experience. One theory is that the Queen Mother of the West turned her into an immortal, made her the leader of Donghua, and gave her an iron staff. It is said that his real name is Flood. He often begged in the market and was despised by others. Later, he threw an iron staff into the air and turned into a flying dragon. He rode on the dragon and became an immortal. It is said that his surname is Li Mingxuan, and he attained enlightenment after meeting Taishang Laojun. One day, he traveled to Huashan Mountain to make an appointment with the Supreme Lord, and told his disciples to transform into him if he did not return for seven days. However, the disciple wanted to go home because his mother was ill, and she died within six days. On the seventh day, Li Xuan's soul returned to nowhere. Instead, it arose with the body of a lame beggar. He had an unkempt face, an exposed belly and a lame body. The bamboo stick he was leaning on turned into an iron crutch with water spraying from it, so he was named Li Tieguai.
Two of the Eight Immortals
Zhong Liquan
One of the Eight Immortals of Taoism. The Quanzhen Sect of the Yuan Dynasty regarded him as the "Zhengyang Patriarch", one of the Five Northern Patriarchs. Its theory began in the Five Dynasties and the early Song Dynasty. According to legend, his surname was Zhongli, and his nickname was "Zhengyangzi", also known as "Mr. Yunfang".
"The Complete Biography of Immortals" says: Zhong Liquan, a native of Yantai, named Mr. Yunfang, was a general of the Han Dynasty. During the conquest of Tubo, his superior Liang Yi was jealous, and he was only given 30,000 old and weak soldiers. As soon as they arrived at their destination, the camp was robbed by the Tibetan army, and the soldiers fled. Zhongli Quan also fled to a valley and got lost along the way. But "good people have their own destiny." He met a Hu monk and took him to a small village and said, "This is the residence of Mr. Donghua." Then he said goodbye and left. After a while, someone suddenly said, "This must be because the green-eyed Hu man is too talkative." He saw an old man wearing a white deer fur and holding a green quinoa staff. He asked Zhong Lihan, "Is the person coming here a Han?" General Zhongliquan? Why don't you come and stay at the mountain monk's place?" Zhongliquan was shocked, knowing that he had met a stranger, so he sincerely learned Taoism and begged the old man to learn the way to save the world. The old man taught Zhong Liquan the "Chang Zhen Jue", as well as the Golden Elixir Huohou and Qinglong Sword Techniques. Zhong Lihan later met Zhenren Huayang and the Immortal King Xuanfu, and learned the "Eternal Life Art". Finally, he lived at Zijin Sihaofeng in Kongtong Mountain, obtained the "Secret of the Jade Box", and became a true immortal. The Jade Emperor named him "Tai Chi Zuogong Zhenren".
Another theory is that Zhongli Han was from the Tang Dynasty. At the same time as Lu Dongbin, he called himself "Zhongli Quan of Han Dynasty scattered all over the world". Later generations may read it as "Han", so it is called "Zhongli of Han Dynasty".
Wang Chongyang founded the Quanzhen Sect and regarded "Zhong Lihan" as the "Zhengyang Patriarch", ranking second among the Five Northern Patriarchs (Wang Xuanfu, Zhong Liquan, Lu Dongbin, Liu Cao, Wang Chongyang).
Third of the Eight Immortals
Zhang Guolao
One of the Eight Immortals of Taoism. Also known as Zhang Guo. According to the "Book of Tang" records, there is indeed a person who was originally a folk magician, but he was regarded as a god because of folk legends. Living in Zhongtiao Mountain, Shanxi Province, he said that he was born in the time of Yao and had the method of immortality. Tang Taizong and Tang Gaozong (Wu Zetian's husband) recruited him from time to time, but he declined. Wu Zetian also summoned him out of the mountain, so Zhang Guolao pretended to be dead in front of the temple. It was midsummer, and after a while, his body rotted and smelled. After hearing this, Wu Zetian had no choice but to give up. But soon someone saw him again in the mountains of Mount Heng.
Tang Xuanzong summoned him several times to seek immortality. Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty saw Zhang Guo old and senile. He asked: "Sir is a man who has attained the Tao. Why do you have sparse teeth and old age?" Zhang Guolao said: "In the old age, there is no Taoism to rely on, so it becomes what it is now. It is really shocking. Shameful. But if we pull out these sparse hair and residual teeth today, wouldn't new ones grow out?" So he pulled out his hair and knocked out his teeth in front of the palace. Xuanzong was a little scared and hurriedly asked people to help Zhang Guolao to rest. . After a while, Zhang Guolao returned to the palace. As expected, he had a new look, green temples and white teeth. So the dignitaries at that time rushed to pay homage and ask for advice on the secret of rejuvenation, but they were all rejected by him.
Once, Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty went hunting and captured a large deer. This deer was slightly different from ordinary deer. Just as the chef was about to kill the deer, Zhang Guolao saw it and quickly stopped him, saying, "This is a fairy deer. It is more than a thousand years old. When Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty hunted, I followed him. Although Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty captured this deer, he was about to kill it." But later he released it." Xuanzong said: "The world is so big and there are so many deer. Times have changed and circumstances have changed. How do you know it is the deer you mentioned?" Zhang Guolao said: "Emperor Wu released it. At that time, he marked it with a bronze medal under its left corner." So Xuanzong ordered people to check it. Sure enough, there was a two-inch bronze medal, but the writing was blurred.
Xuanzong asked again: "In what year did Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty hunt? How many years has it been now?" Zhang Guolao said, "It has been eight hundred and fifty-two years." Tang Xuanzong ordered someone to check, and it was indeed correct.
Zhang Guolao passed away soon after returning to the mountain. Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty built the "Qixia Temple" for him. Zhang Guolao has a peculiar quirk. He usually rides a white donkey backwards and can travel thousands of miles in a day. Of course, this donkey is also a "magic donkey". It is said that when not riding, it can be folded up and placed in a skin bag.
The Fourth of the Eight Immortals
Lü Dongbin
One of the Eight Immortals of Taoism. Mingyan, whose courtesy name is Dongbin, calls himself "Chun Yangzi". A native of Jingzhao Mansion (now Chang'an County, Shaanxi Province) of Tang Dynasty. He was once awarded the county magistrate as a Jinshi. When his mother was about to give birth to him, there was a strange fragrance in the house, fairy music was playing in the air, and a white crane fell from the sky, disappearing from his mother's tent. After giving birth to Lu Dongbin, Lu Dongbin was indeed extraordinary. He had been very smart since he was a child. He kept a diary with thousands of words, which can be remembered and written. When he grew up, he was "eight feet and two inches tall. He likes to wear a Huayang scarf, and wears a yellow cedar tree. He is tied with a soap, and looks like a Zhang Zifang." When he was still in his infancy, Mazu said: "This son has extraordinary bones and comes from a place where people live in the world. When he met Lu, he lived there, and when he saw a bell, he kept it in mind." Later, Lu Dongbin visited Lushan. Encountered Master Huo Long and taught him the Heavenly Escape Sword Technique. When he was sixty-four years old, he traveled to Chang'an and met a Taoist priest in a green and white robe at a wine shop who wrote poems on the wall. Seeing his strange appearance and elegant poetic style, Lu Dongbin asked him his name. The Taoist priest said, "I am Mr. Yunfang. I live in Heling, Zhongnan Mountain. Do you want to go with me?" Lu Dongbinfan was reluctant and did not agree. This Mr. Yunfang is "Zhong Liquan".
At night, Zhong Liquan and Lu Dongbin stayed in the wine shop together. Mr. Yunfang cooked for him alone. At this time, Lu Dongbin fell asleep. He dreamed that he was the number one scholar, a proud officialdom, full of descendants, and full of glory. Suddenly he was convicted of a serious crime, his family property was confiscated, and his wife and children were separated. When he grew old, he was completely destitute and destitute. He stood alone in the wind and snow, shivering. He was about to sigh when he suddenly woke up from a dream. Zhongliquan's rice was not yet cooked, so Zhongliquan asked. The poem "Huang Liang is still unripe, and he dreams of Chinese delicacies." Lu Dongbin asked in surprise: "Do you know my dream?" Zhong Liquan said: "The dream you just had was full of life and death, a thousand honors and disgrace, fifty Years are like a blink of an eye! What you gain is not worthy of joy, and what you lose is not worthy of sadness. Life is just like a dream." So Lu Dongbin made up his mind to learn the Tao from Zhong Liquan, and after passing the "Ten Tests" test, Zhong Liquan granted him the Tao. Law. Lu Dongbin has Taoism and Tiandun sword skills, and he can kill monsters and harm the people for the benefit of the people.
Lü Dongbin is regarded as one of the Five Northern Patriarchs (Wang Xuanfu, Zhong Liquan, Lu Dongbin, Liu Cao, Wang Chongyang) by the Quanzhen Sect. He is known as Lu Zu and Chunyang Patriarch. Lu Dongbin is the most famous among the Eight Immortals. There are many legends about him.
Five of the Eight Immortals
He Xiangu
One of the Eight Immortals of Taoism. There are many theories about his life experience. Zhejiang, Anhui, Fujian and other places all have local He Xiangu. However, there are many legends about He's daughter who met an immortal on the road and gave her immortal peaches or dates to eat, and she became an immortal and never knew she was hungry. Able to foresee misfortunes and fortunes, and good at flying with ease. One theory is that he was a disciple of Lu Dongbin.
"The Strange Traces of Immortals and Buddhas" says: He Xiangu was the daughter of a woman named He Tai in Zengcheng, Guangzhou. There are six hairs on the top of the head when he is born. When she was sixteen years old, she dreamed that an immortal taught her: "Eating mica powder can make you lighter and live forever." So she followed the immortal's instructions, ate mica, swore not to marry, and often traveled to and from the valley, walking as fast as flying. She goes out every morning and brings back some mountain fruits for her mother to eat in the evening. Later, she gradually stopped eating grains. Wu Zetian sent an envoy to summon her to the palace, but she suddenly disappeared on the way to Beijing. Afterwards, immortals were born in the daytime. In the ninth year of Tang Tianbao's reign, he appeared in Magu altar, standing among five clouds, and later appeared in Xiaoshilou in Guangzhou.
Song Zeng Minxing's "Duxing Magazine" records: "Di Qing passed by Yongzhou when he was fighting for Nannong in his early years. He heard that He Xiangu could predict good and bad luck, so he went to ask about the outcome of the war. He Xiangu said: "Mr. There is no need to see the thief. The thief will leave after being defeated." Di Qing didn't believe it at first, but later the vanguard of the Song army fought with Nannong Zhigao's soldiers. Without a chance to turn around, Zhigao was defeated and fled into Dali.
He Xiangu often holds lotus flowers.
The Sixth of the Eight Immortals
Lan Caihe
One of the Eight Immortals of Taoism. He was born in Kaiyuan Tianbao period of Tang Dynasty. Wearing woolen shirts in the summer and sleeping in the ice and snow in the winter, he often sings tapping songs in Chang'an City, with lyrics that have many fairy-like meanings. Someone had seen him when he was a child, and when they met again in old age, his appearance was as harmonious as before, and then he rode away drunkenly on a crane in a restaurant. People in the Yuan Dynasty wrote the drama Han Zhonglidu Tuolan Caihe based on this anecdote.
In "The Strange Traces of Immortals and Buddhas": "Lan Caihe, I don't know where he is from. He often wears tattered clothes, a six-inch belt, a boot on one foot, and a barefoot on the other. In summer Wearing thick underwear under a long gown, lying in the snow in the winter, the breath is like steam. Every time I beg for food in the street, I will sing when I am more than three feet tall. Everyone watched him singing, as if he was crazy when singing, but he was not. The lyrics were written randomly, and the song was full of fairy tales, and it was unpredictable. Regardless. Sometimes he gave it to poor families, and sometimes he spent it in wine shops. Some people saw him when he was a child, and saw him again when he was old. Later, someone saw him drinking in Haoliang Restaurant and heard him. There was a sound of sheng and Xiao, and suddenly it flew into the sky on a crane, leaving behind its boots, clothes, belt, and clothes, and slowly rose up.
The Yuan Opera "Zhongli Dulan Caihe" said. Lan Caihe is a stage name, and his real name is Xu Jian. He sang opera in Goulan. When he was fifty years old, he was beaten by the government because of some mistake he made, and was later transformed into an immortal by Zhongli Quan.
Seven of the Eight Immortals
Han Xiangzi
One of the Eight Immortals of Taoism. He was the great-nephew of Han Yu in the Tang Dynasty. He had a bohemian nature and was not good at studying, so he had to drink. It is said that he became an immortal after learning Taoism. When he was ten years old, he went to Luoxia to visit relatives. He fell in love with the mountains and rivers and never returned. There was no news about him for more than 20 years. During the Yuanhe period of Tang Dynasty, he suddenly returned to Chang'an. His clothes were shabby and his behavior was strange. Han Yu asked him to enter school. He was studying with the students, but Han Xiangzi didn't say a word when discussing with the students. He only gambled with his servants. When he got drunk, he slept in the stable for three days and five days, or slept on the street. Han Yu was worried and asked him, "People Everyone has their own strengths, and even hawkers have their own skills. If you are so messy, what can you do in the future?" Han Xiangzi said, "I also have a skill. It's just that you don't know it." Han Yu asked, "Then what can you do?" At that time, At the beginning of winter, peonies bloom in several colors, and when the pots are covered with soil, they bloom instantly.
It is said that Han Xiangzi learned Taoism from Lu Dongbin. Ranked in the immortal class.
Eight of the Eight Immortals
Cao Guojiu
One of the Eight Immortals of Taoism. According to legend, he was the great uncle of Renzong Dynasty in Song Dynasty. His name was Yi, and he also served as Jingxiu. Uncle Cao Guo's brother was greedy for the beauty of the wife of a scholar who went to Beijing to take the exam. He hanged the scholar and took his wife by force. The wronged soul of the scholar complained to Bao Zheng, and Bao Gong agreed to investigate. Uncle Cao Guo told his brother that the scholar's wife must be put to death to avoid future troubles. So Uncle Er Guo threw the scholar's wife into a well, but she escaped. He met Uncle Cao Guo on the way, and mistakenly thought it was Bao Zheng. He complained to Uncle Cao Guo. Uncle Cao Guo was shocked and ordered his men to beat the scholar's wife to death with an iron whip. His men thought it was Bao Zheng. She died and abandoned her body in a remote alley.
After the scholar's wife woke up, she complained to Bao Gong. After Bao Gong found out the truth, he pretended to be ill. Uncle Cao Guo came to visit Bao Zheng. Bao Zheng ordered the scholar's wife to file a lawsuit and imprisoned Cao Guojiu. He also made a false letter and sent the second uncle to Kaifeng Mansion, so that the woman could complain about her grievances. He also put the two uncles in prison. Empress Cao and Song Renzong personally came to persuade Bao Zheng to release her two younger brothers. Bao Zheng refused and ordered Er Guojiu to be executed. Song Renzong granted amnesty to the world. Only then did Mr. Bao release Cao Guojiu.
After Cao Guojiu was released, he went to the mountains to practice Buddhism. From then on, he fled to the mountains and forests, determined to practice Taoism and learn immortality. One day, Zhong Liquan and Lu Dongbin asked him, "What do you raise?" Cao Guojiu said: " What I raise is Tao." The immortal smiled and asked, "Where is the Tao?" Uncle Cao Guo pointed to the sky and said, "The Tao is in the sky." The immortal asked again, "Where is the sky?" Uncle Cao Guo pointed to his heart. . Zhong Liquan and Lu Dongbin said with satisfaction: "The heart is heaven, and heaven is Tao. You have understood the true meaning of Tao." They taught him the "Secret Edict of Returning Truth" one by one, and asked him to practice it carefully. Before long, Uncle Cao Guo Became an immortal.
There is also a saying that
Xianjun are "loose immortals" among the gods, who specialize in punishing evil and promoting good, and helping the world and the poor. There are many stories about them in folklore, among which the stories of "Eight Immortals celebrating their birthday" and "Eight Immortals crossing the sea" are the most widely spread. 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 as a fugue, his body was mistakenly cremated by his disciples. The wandering soul had no place to go, so it arose attached to a corpse that had died of starvation. He was disheveled and lame. He sprayed water on the bamboo stick he leaned 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 surname was Zhongli, his given name was Quan, and later he was renamed Jue. He was from Yantai, and his courtesy name was Jidao, his nickname was Heguzi, and he was also called 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 on the same day as his brother and passed away at Lu Dongbin. Seen in "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 performed the disciple ceremony." Later he was called "Han Zhongli" and Unnamed. Zhong Liquan preached with his hair tied into a bun, shaking a fan and exposing his belly, giving off the air of 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 Mountain in Hengzhou. He often rode a white donkey upside down and traveled thousands of miles a day. 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. 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 is included in the alchemy category. There was a magician named Dharma Shan in the Tang Dynasty who calculated that Zhang Guolao had already lived in the world at the beginning of chaos and might be the oldest immortal.
He Xiangu, named Qiong, was born in Zengcheng County, Guangzhou during the reign of Emperor Zhongzong of the Tang Dynasty. When he was thirteen years old, he went to the mountains to pick tea and met Lu Dongbin. Later, he dreamed of a god teaching him how to eat mica powder, so he vowed not to marry and flew to and from the valley. 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. It 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 to be drunk but not drunk. They sang: "When Lan Caihe sings, how can the world be so beautiful? A beautiful spring tree, a passing shuttle." They are all deities. The meaning of the world. Later, Zhongli Quan was transformed and left on the clouds.
Lu Dongbin, also known as Lu Yan, was born in the Tang Dynasty. According to legend, Lu Dongbin met Zhong Liquan after he failed to become a Jinshi. Zhongli cooked yellow rice rice on the stove and gave Dongbin a pillow to take a nap. 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... Suddenly I woke up, and the yellow rice was still not ripe, and I realized that there is no joy in being rich, and there is no worry in being humble. The world is 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 the great-nephew of Han Yu in the Tang Dynasty. 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 door 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 admonishment 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. Cao Jingxiu was ashamed of his brother Jingzhi's illegal murder and lived in seclusion on the rocks. He wore a turban and wore wild clothes, determined to cultivate truth. After Zhong Liquan and Lu Dongbin's transformation, Cao Guojiu learned 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.
Each of the "Eight Immortals" can find its historical background. Only Lan Caihe's real-life background cannot be studied. Recently, it was found from a village with the surname Lan in Zhuojijing Town, Daying County, Liaoning Province. A genealogy of the Lan family with a history of more than 400 years was first recorded during the Ming Dynasty. It records the rise and fall of all family members from the Sui Dynasty to the Republic of China. There is a section dedicated to introducing Lan Caihe's resume, his wife Li, and the deeds of his descendants. It is understood that this genealogy has been sent to the Sichuan Provincial Museum for identification, restoration and copying.