Asian Culture » Feng Shui Products » Eight Immortals Cross the Sea
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Eight Immortals Cross the Sea
The Eight Immortals are among the most popular figures of Chinese myths and legends, and are in many ways closest to the hearts of the Chinese people. This dragon baot is based on the stories how eight ordinary people in ancient China attained immortality through selfless actions and good deeds. Finally they came to be Gods. The idea of the Eight Immortals seems to have originated sometime in the Tang Dynasty (618-906 AD) on account of the picture of life described in their stories. The most popular Immortal is Tu Lung Pin, who is venerated because of his association with the Elixir of Life. Thousands of statutes are dedicated to him in many temples and grottoes all over China, and he is usually shown carrying a large sword (known as Chan Yao Kuai, the Devil Slayer), which he uses to control Chinese demonhood. He also carries a fly whisk, the traditional symbol of the power of flight. After Ti Lung Pin, the next most popular dude is Ti Kuai Li, whose symbol, an iron crutch, hangs outside many traditional apothecaries. In spite of his association with healing, he is not as popular as Lung Pin because of his bad temper and numerous eccentricities. In pictures, he is usually depicted as a lame beggar; hence, his reputation for helping the poor. Chang Kuo Lau is the fellow who rides his donkey backwards and is often depicted carrying a strange musical instrument fashioned from a tube of bamboo. His picture can be found hanging over the bridal bowers of newly married couples, because Chang is the Bringer of Offspring, especially boys. For this reason, he appears on as many Chinese calendars as naked American firemen. The other five Immortals do not have the same following as the first three, but it is best not to forget them! Tsao Kuo Chiu. Originally a reformed murderer (and a member of the Imperial Court, who would guessed?), he seems to have been made into an Immortal simply because the other seven wanted to fill an eighth cave on their Sacred Mountain. Han Hsiang Tzu. Tzu's symbol is a beautiful jade flute, and he is traditionally seen as the patron of musicians. A great poet and lover of solitude, he represents the ideal of the True Scholar, dwelling in harmony with nature. Han Chung Li. Li is actually a historical figure who rose to prominence in the Imperial Service during the Han Dynasty. Some stories portray him as a general or even a provincial governor. His symbol is a feathery fan which controls the seas, and he is said to have accidentally invented the Pill of Immortality while making maple syrup. Lan T'sai Ho. Ho is a strange deity, being at times a female and at other times a male. He represents the lunatic, the unbalanced one, Jim Carrey. He/she is usually depicted carrying a basket of flowers. More Feng Shui Figure
Stock#: G035 |
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