Eight Immortals

Known as the Eight Chinese immortals (八仙 baxian), individuals in this group of Taoists have attained immortality and are deified and revered as symbols of longevity, as are the personal symbols they carry: Han Xiangzi (韩湘子)- flute; Li Tieguai’(李 铁拐) – gourd with magic elixir and crutch; Lan Caihe (蓝采和) – basket of flowers or peaches; Lu Dongbin (吕洞宾) – sword and flywhisk; He Xiangu (何仙姑) – lotus, peach, fly whisk, or bamboo sieve; Zhang Guolao (张果老) – fish drum and rides a donkey; and Cao Guojiu (曹国舅) – ruyi scepter, castanets and the fan of Han Zhongli. The group describes the Chinese imagination: male and female, young and old, appearing in mythical landscapes, riding legendary animals, crossing seas, floating atop clouds, and appearing singly, as a pair or a group of eight. The name Eight Immortals is very significant, as ba, the word for eight, is a homophone rhyming with fa, the word for “to expand.” To Chinese, this means to grow in wealth and happiness and explains why the number eight is so often used by Chinese for addresses, license plates and phone numbers.

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  • Antique Song Tile of Immortal with Firecracker, China

    $495.00

    This thin Song earthenware tile which was probably made for a wealthy person, depicts the legendary scholar, poet and alchemist Taoist deity Lu Dongbin, one of the Eight Immortals, who sought to discover the elixir of immortality and used charms still used in Chinese homes to prevent illness and ward off evil. He and his fly whisk are auspicious symbols of longevity and a wish for immortality. Firecrackers have been used for centuries for holiday celebrations, to scare away evil spirits and bring happiness and prosperity. Originally covered in a slip and painted in polychrome colors, much paint is lost except for traces of yellow, green, grey and brown. With an appropriate frame would be a terrific wall piece.

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  • Antique/Vintage Porcelain Immortal, Chinese Republic

    $295.00

    This polychrome vintage Chinese Republic porcelain figurine represents the most famous and colorful of the Taoist Eight Immortals, Lu Dongbin. He holds his fly whisk at his cheek, a traditional symbol of one who can fly at will. His face has a sweet benign smile with a long beard extending to his waist. He stands on a base with green and black swirling cloud forms indicating his ability to fly. He wears the robes of a Taoist sage in richly painted colors. The figure is in excellent condition and dates to the Republic of China Period circa 1920-1940.

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  • Antique/Vintage Porcelain Immortal, Chinese Republic

    $295.00

    This elegant Chinese Republic Period porcelain figure is the Taoist immortal Han Xiangzi carrying his auspicious flute dressed in a beautiful blue robe with wide black borders, fine internal decorations and a decorative yellow floral undergarment. This piece is in excellent condition and contains the stamp of the kiln where it was produced on the bottom. As the patron saint of musicians and florists, this piece would be a great gift for someone who enjoys music or arranging flowers to beautify their home.

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  • Antique/Vintage Porcelain Taoist Immortal, Chinese Republic

    $295.00

    This colorful porcelain is Lu Dongbin, the most popular of the Eight Immortals: living Taoists who attained immortality and are symbols of immortality and long life. Dressed as a scholar, his beard is pushed to the side as he is in motion riding waves to show his magical powers. He holds a fly whisk which, along with the sword he often carries, are personal auspicious symbols. The most colorful of the immortals, he is worshipped by the sick and by scholars and temples are sometimes dedicated to him. This piece is in excellent condition and is either a Late Qing or Chinese Republic piece circa 1900-1940.

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