The word "Eight Immortals" has always had different meanings in Chinese history. It was not until Wu Yuantai of the Ming Dynasty that "The Origin of the Eight Immortals Journey to the East" was defined as: Tieguai Li, Zhongli Quan (Zhongli Quan of the Han Dynasty), Lu Dongbin, Zhang Guo Lao, Cao Guojiu, Han Xiangzi, Lan Caihe, He Xiangu.
During the Jianlong period of the Northern Song Dynasty, Salmon Island (today’s Miao Island) was a place where the imperial court imprisoned prisoners. Starting from the third year of Jianlong, all soldiers who broke the law were sent to Salman Island. Year after year, there are more and more prisoners on the island. However, the imperial court only allocates food rations for the entire island to 300 people every year, so the food is becoming increasingly insufficient. Later, Li Qing, the head guard of Salmon Island, came up with a cruel method: when the number of prisoners exceeded 300, he would tie some of them hand and foot and throw them into the sea to drown, so that the number of prisoners on the island would always be kept at 300. More than 700 people were killed in two years. In order to survive, prisoners often jumped into the sea to escape, but most of them were swallowed up by the waves.
On one occasion, more than 50 prisoners were rescued. When he heard that he was about to be killed, he took advantage of the clear sky and bright moon to avoid the guards, jumped into the sea with a gourd and wood in his arms, and swam toward Penglai Mountain. It was about thirty miles from Salmon Island to Penglai. Most of the prisoners on the way were exhausted and drowned in the water. Only eight strong travelers with martial arts skills were left. They swam to the shore by the current and found themselves on Danya in the north of Penglai City. He hid in the lion's cave at the foot of the mountain.
The fishermen discovered them the next day. When they heard that the eight people had swam across the sea from Salmon Island, they were all surprised and called them "gods". This matter spread among the people. They became more and more popular, and they were called the "Eight Immortals", which evolved into today's story of "Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea".
1. Li Tieguai, also known as Tieguai Li, according to legend, his surname was Li and his given name was Xuan. He was also called Li Ningyang, Li Honghong and Li Kongmu. Mr. Lu Xun's "A Brief History of Chinese Novels" said that his surname was Li and his given name was Xuan; Zhao Yi's "Bei Yu Cong Kao" also said that his surname was Liu. His birth and death years were approximately 418-326 BC. Jinkun people of Ba State (now Lijiaba, Shimen Town, Jiangjin District, Chongqing City), there are still ruins such as Yaowang Temple and Guaili Temple in Lijiaba today.
Folk legend says that he was originally very tall and handsome. Practice in Dangshan cave. I once encountered Taishang Laojun’s Immortal Society. During his wandering mind, his body was mistakenly cremated by his apprentice. His wandering soul had no place to go, so it arose by possessing the corpse of a starved person. His face was unkempt, his belly was flat and he was lame. He sprayed water on the bamboo staff he was leaning on and turned it into an iron staff, so he was called "Tieguai Li". According to folk historical data, he was famous in the Ba Kingdom for his talent and intelligence when he was young. Li Er (Tai Shang Laojun) rode an ox and traveled around the Ba Kingdom. By chance, he met the young Li Xuan and saw his extraordinary ability and gave him enlightenment. The King of Ba invited Li Xuan many times. Xuan was rejected by Xuan as an official.
In 316 BC, the Ba Kingdom was destroyed by King Huiwen of Qin. At that time, there were successive wars, and the people were in dire straits and starved everywhere. Li Xuan, who suffered the destruction of his country and his family, became discouraged from then on. Seeing through the mortal world, he ran away from home and went to Huashan Mountain to learn Taoism and visit immortals. In his later years, he practiced Taoism in Stalagmite Mountain. After becoming an immortal, Tieguai Li Jing specialized in pharmacology and made an ointment specially designed to treat rheumatism and bone pain. He benefited the countryside and saved all living beings. He was deeply supported by the people and was named the "King of Medicine".
2. 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. The prototype of his character appeared around the time of the Five Dynasties and the early Song Dynasty. "Xuanhe Chronicle", "Yi Jian Zhi", "Song History" and other books all have records of his deeds. It was only later that he was mistakenly identified as Zhongli of the Han Dynasty, and he was attached to the Han Dynasty.
Books such as "Tongjian of the Immortals of the Past Dynasties" and "Tongkao of Xuwenwen" claim that Zhongli Quan, whose surname was Zhongli, had the courtesy name Jidao, the name Yunfangfang, and the name Zhengyangzi. A native of Xianyang in the Eastern Han Dynasty, his father Zhongli Zhang was a general of the Eastern Han Dynasty, and his brother Zhongli Jian was a general of Zhonglang, who later became an immortal. There was indeed a person named Zhong Liquan in the Tang Dynasty. Three of his quatrains were recorded in "The Complete Poems of the Tang Dynasty", with a short biography: "A man from Xianyang met an old man who taught him the secrets of immortality, and he met a real person from Huayang and the immortal king Xuanfu. After preaching to Kongtong Mountain, he named himself Mr. Yunfang and later passed away.
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The poem he left behind is titled "Three Quatrains on Avoiding a Wine Shop in Chang'an", which includes "I often carry a pot of wine while sitting and lying down, and I don't teach my eyes to recognize the imperial capital", "It is not easy to meet a true immortal who has attained the Tao. There is also some "fairy flavor" in the phrases such as "Whenever I return, I wish to be with you", and he must be a good Taoist. The legend about his birth is very vivid. It is said that one day, a giant strode into his mother's house. In the inner room, he said loudly: "I am the ancient Huang Shen clan, and I will take care of you here. "Suddenly, I saw a strange light for several feet like a blazing fire, and then Han Zhongli was born.
When he was born, he was as big as a 3-year-old child. He was born with a blessed appearance, with a round top and a wide forehead, thick ears and thick eyebrows. He was tall, with a square mouth and big cheeks, lips as smooth as pills, round breasts and long arms. What was even more strange was that he remained silent day and night, neither crying nor eating. On the seventh day, he suddenly said: "The body swims." Zifu, famous book Yujing. "This sentence alarmed his parents. Because Zifu and Yujing are the palaces of the Jade Emperor, they thought he was the reincarnation of a god. His parents hoped that he would grow up to have more power, so they named him "Quan".
It is said that when Zhongli grew up, he served as an admonishment official in the imperial court. He was later summoned to fight against Tibet, but was defeated and lived in seclusion in Zhongnan Mountain. He met Emperor Xuanfu of Donghua and obtained the secret of immortality, golden elixir of fire and Qinglong sword technique. He met Master Huayang again and taught him Taiyi Jiugui, Fire Talisman Golden Pill, and the secret of Xuanxuan. He finally obtained the secret of the Jade Box in the Forbidden City of Kongtong Mountain and became an immortal in the Tang Dynasty. At that time, he converted Lu Dongbin, one of the five northern Taoist ancestors.
It is said that when Zhongli grew up, he served as an admonishment official in the imperial court. He was later called to fight against Tibet, but was defeated and lived in seclusion in Zhongnan Mountain. Emperor Xuanfu of Emperor Hua obtained the True Secret of Immortality, the Golden Elixir of Fire, and the Qinglong Sword Technique. Later, he met Master Huayang and taught him the Taiyi Jiugui and Fire Talisman Golden Elixir, and finally understood the secret of Xuanxuan in the Forbidden City of Kongtong Mountain. Haofeng obtained the secret of the jade box and became an immortal. Legend has it that he converted Lu Dongbin during the Tang Dynasty and was one of the five northern Taoist ancestors.
3. Lu Dongbin, also known as Lu Yan, whose name is Dong. Bin, nicknamed Chunyangzi. 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. Lu Dongbin was originally named Lu Yan from Hezhong Prefecture in Puzhou (now Yongle Town, Ruicheng, Shanxi). ("Yan" or "Yan"), the courtesy name is Dongbin, and the Tao name is Chunyangzi, and the nickname is Hui Taoist. Lu Dongbin is the founder of Quanzhen Taoism, the mainstream of Taoism in the world, and is a famous immortal and Taoist figure in Chinese legends. One of the Eight Immortals. He plays an extremely important role in both Taoism and folk belief.
His poems "Crane" by Luo Dajing of the Song Dynasty are included in "Full Tang Poetry" and "Ci Zong". Lin Yulu", Hong Mai's "Yi Jian Zhi" and "Ji Xian Zhuan" are all recorded in books such as Xiantongzhong of Tang Dynasty. He served as county magistrate for two times. It is said that he was from Jiujiang and was originally from the Tang clan. , surnamed Li, changed his surname to Lu to avoid the disaster of Empress Wu.
He was originally named Shaoguang. Transformed into Tao. He is the most humane among the eight immortals. He is chic and funny. He brings peace to the people, slays monsters and monsters. He is also fond of wine and lust. There is a legend of "Lü Dongbin's Three Plays with White Peony" circulated in the world. There are many legends about him. Miscellaneous, but it can also be seen that he was originally a Taoist scholar in the Tang Dynasty who was later deified as an immortal. There is still a Yuanjiashan Luzu Temple built by Yuan Keli, the Minister of War in the Ming Dynasty, to worship Lu Dongbin in Sui County, Henan.
4. It is said that He Xiangu, whose original name was He Xiugu, was born in the period of Wu Zetian of the Tang Dynasty. When she was born, purple clouds surrounded her room and there were six rays of light on her head. She was very smart and intelligent since she was a child. When she was 15 years old, she had a dream. The man of God taught her to eat mica powder, so she could fly between the tops of the mountains, going out every morning and collecting mountain fruits to honor her mother. Later, she became speechless. When Wu Zetian heard about it, she sent an envoy to summon her, but she didn't know the direction on the way. Some people say that during the reign of Emperor Zhongzong of the Tang Dynasty, he flew into the sky on the eighth day of the eighth lunar month. Another theory is that He Xiangu went to the mountains when she was 13 years old and met the immortal Lu Dongbin. Lu gave her a peach. Effective.
The people in the village regarded him as a god and built a building specifically for him to live in. Later, Lu Dongbin made him an immortal. He Xiangu is the only female among the Eight Immortals, and there are different opinions about her life experience. One said she was from the Tang Dynasty.
His disciples said that he transformed into an immortal, and Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty ordered the construction of Qixia Temple in the local area for worship.
It is said that Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty was suspicious of the rumors. He once asked Xing Hepu, who was good at predicting longevity, good and evil, to tell Zhang's fortune. When he looked at Zhang Guo, he asked, "Where is Zhang Guo?" He was actually facing Zhang Guo and could not see him. "Taiping Guangji" also records that Zhang Guolao claimed to be from the time of Emperor Yao. Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty asked the sorcerer "Ye Fashan" about Zhang's origin. Ye Fashan said: "I dare not say it. If I say it, I will die." Later, he said: "Zhang Guo" It was a white bat spirit from the beginning of chaos." After saying this, he fell to the ground and died. After Xuanzong interceded, Zhang Guocai saved him.
7. 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. It is said that he was the great-nephew of Han Yu of the Tang Dynasty, and his real name was Han Xiang. The image is of a handsome young man holding a flute. Legend has it that the prime minister of the Han Dynasty had a daughter named Lingling, who was both talented and beautiful. Already betrothed to Han Xiang. But the Han Emperor wanted to marry her to his nephew, but Tuo Tuo firmly disagreed. The Han Emperor was furious and dismissed Han Xiang from office.
Lingling died of depression, and Han Xiang was reborn as Bai He. Bai He was enlightened by Zhong Liquan and Lu Dongbin, and was reborn as the son of Han Hui in Changli County. His nickname was Xiangzi. He lost his father when he was young and was raised by his uncle Han Yu. . When he grew up, he was taught the cultivation techniques by Zhong and Lu Erxian. Han Yu strongly objected and reprimanded him. Because of this, Han Xiangzi became a monk and lived in seclusion in Zhongnan Mountain to practice Taoism. He achieved enlightenment and was listed among the Eight Immortals. Later, Han Xiangzi changed his form many times to save his uncle Han Yu, but Han Yu failed to realize it many times. Later, Han Yu was demoted and sent to Chaoyang. When he passed Languan, he was blocked by snow and was buried in the snow. Xiangzi came to rescue him and gave him guidance. Han Yu finally gained enlightenment and became an immortal by cultivating Taoism.
8. 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 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 stories about her life experience are similar, and they are all related to Empress Cao of Song Renzong. According to "History of the Song Dynasty", Cao Yi, courtesy name Gongbo, was the grandson of Cao Bin and the younger brother of Empress Cao. He had an easy temperament, was proficient in music, and loved to compose poems. He was granted the title of Prince of Jiyang County. He went through several dynasties smoothly and died at the age of seventy-two.
"Shenxian Tongjian" says: Cao Guojiu is pure and kind in nature and does not like wealth, but he is obsessed with immortality. His younger brother is arrogant and lawless, and acts recklessly based on his power. Cao Guojiu deeply believes in his evil deeds. Feeling ashamed, he went to the mountains to practice. He met Zhong Quan and Lu Dongbin and accepted him as his disciple. Soon Cao Guojiu became an immortal. Cao Guojiu described in "Journey to the East" is the same as above.
There is a biography in "History of the Song Dynasty" that Cao Yi, named Gongbo, was the grandson of Cao Bin and the younger brother of Empress Cao. He had an easy temperament, was proficient in music, and loved to compose poems. He was granted the title of Prince of Jiyang County. He went through several dynasties smoothly and died at the age of seventy-two. "Tongjian of Immortals" says: Uncle Cao Guo was pure and kind in nature and did not like wealth, but he was obsessed with immortality. His younger brother was arrogant and lawless and acted recklessly. Uncle Cao Guo was deeply ashamed of his evil deeds, so he went into the mountains to practice. Zhong Quan and Lu Dongbin accepted him as their disciple, and soon Cao Guojiu became an immortal. Cao Guojiu described in "Journey to the East" is the same as above.