were representative of archetypal individuals and represented wealth and poverty, old age and youth, male and female. The Chinese believed that average human beings could, through hard study, learn the secrets of nature and become immortal. These immortals were idolized and respected for their wisdom, humor, and moral lessons and became legends of which almost every common person was intimately aware.
Cao Guo Jiu
He was the son of a military commander, and was an uncle of the emperor. Fearing that he might be involved in trouble caused by his brother's ill behavior, he went to the mountains to learn Taoism. Afterwards, led by Hang Zhong Li [see below] and Lu Dong Bin [see below], he joined the society of the celestial beings. He wears an official court headdress and carries a pair of castanets as his trademark symbol. He is the patron of the theatre.
He Xian Gu
When she was fourteen to fifteen years old, she became a celestial being as a result of taking the powder of mother-of-pearl, the Taoist medicine. She was revered for the long distances she travelled to pick dainty bamboo shoots for her mother who as very ill. She carries a lotus flower or seed pod as her trademark. She disappeared one day when on her way to the court of the Empress Wu who had sent for her.
Lan Cai He
He often wears worn-out clothing, usually holds a bamboo clapper, and acts as though he is a common beggar. For a living, he often begs for handouts in the busiest areas of the town, singing loudly all the while as if intoxicated. He was considered semi-crazed by many. He travels far and wide with great ease. His trademark is a bamboo basket as he is considered the patron of gardeners.
Han Xiang
It is said that Han Xiang Zi was a nephew of Han Yu [first among the Eight Great Prose Masters]. He has a bright and unrestrained disposition. He was carried by his teacher and master to the magic peach tree, where grew the immortal peaches. There he fell from the branches and became an immortal. Once, in early winter, he made the peony flowers blossom in different colors, all within a few days, and inside each of the blossoms was a small poem. He is usually pictured carrying a flute and is considered the patron of musicians.
Zhang Guo Lao
Zhang Guo Lao lives in seclusion on mount Zhong Tiao. During the Tang Dynasty, he was reported already to be over 200 years old. Once, Empress Wu Zhe Tiang dispatched officers to call upon him and bring him back for questioning, but he pretended to be dead. Afterwards, some people were surprised to meet him walking around Mount Heng. A famous magician of the 7th and 8th centuries, he was invited by Xuan Zong, the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, to demonstrate his magic arts. He typically is pictured riding a white donkey facing its tail. The donkey is capable of running thousands of miles each day. When Zhang Guo Lao needs to rest, he folds up the white donkey and hides it in a small box. His emblem is a Yü Ku, or fish drum, which is a tube-shaped bamboo drum with two iron rods or mallets.
Lu Dong Bing
When he was young, he tried twice but could not pass the highest imperial examination. When he was sixty-four years old, he met Han Zhong Li [see below], who gave him a lesson in the magic arts. He now lives in Mount Zhong Lan to cultivate himself according to the tenets of Taoism. He named himself Hui Dao Ren. It is said that he once beheaded a flood dragon. He often plays with a crane in Yue Yang City, and drinks copious amounts of wine. He was granted a magic sword as a reward for overcoming ten temptations. This sword is his trademark and he uses it to combat various evils on earth.
Han Zhong Li
Tie Guai Li [see below] helped him learn the religious doctrine of Taoism in the mountains. After finishing his Taoist studies, he went back to earthly society. He beheaded a tiger with a flying sword and touched a stone and turned it into gold, giving the wealth to the poor. He left the earth for heaven with his brother. He also helped Lu Dong Bin [see above] achieve immortal status. It is said that he is able to revive the souls of the dead with his magic fan, which is his trademark.
Tie Gwai Li
Legends state that he was a personal friend of Lao Tzu, the famous philosopher, who helped him become a celestial being. When his spirit went adventuring, his body was left in the care of a disciple. On one occasion, the disciple was called away, and when Tie Gwai Li returned, his body had disappeared. He then took possession of the body of a dying beggar and is always portrayed supported by a crutch and a pilgrim's gourd as his trademark items. He is lame, so he sprinkles water on a bamboo cane and turns it into an iron walking stick.
Mang Mu Nian Niang
According to some she is a fair and gentle elderly woman with a gift of singing. To others she is about thirty-years old and an exceedingly beautiful goddess. She bestowed the flat peaches, which blossom once every three thousand years, on Emperor Han Wu Ti. When the flat peaches bear fruit, she always entertains the celestial beings with them in celebration of her birthday.
Shou Xin Gong
In Chinese, his name means "Star of Longevity." He is both an immortal and a powerful symbol of long life. His portrait is often displayed during birthdays for good luck. He is easily recognizable by his oversized forehead, representing wisdom, and his extra long beard that is meant literally to demonstrate a long life. Shou Xing Gong is always depicted holding a long staff and a peach, both symbols of longevity themselves.
