Eight Immortals

The Eight Immortals (Template:Zh) are a group of legendary xian ("immortals") in Chinese mythology. Each immortal's power can be transferred to a vessel (Template:Lang) that can bestow life or destroy evil. Together, these eight vessels are called the "Covert Eight Immortals" (Template:Lang). Most of them are said to have been born in the Tang or Song Dynasty. They are revered by the Taoists and are also a popular element in secular Chinese culture. They are said to live on a group of five islands in the Bohai Sea, which includes Mount Penglai.

在傳統的繪畫、雕刻中，常以八仙表示吉祥，直接明示八仙八位尊神者，稱「明八仙」；以八仙之法器表示者，稱「暗八仙」。八仙每人都有一至二樣寶物或法器，一般稱為八寶，常出現於刺繡、瓷器紋飾、建築裝飾和民間藝術之中，均代表吉祥之意，而且隨場景不同而變換。其中較為通俗的八寶為：

• 蒲扇，代表鍾離權
• 葫蘆，代表鐵拐李
• 花籃，代表藍采和
• 荷花，代表何仙姑
• 寶劍，代表呂洞賓
• 竹笛，代表韓湘子
• 魚鼓，代表張果老
• 玉板，代表曹國舅

The Immortals are:

• He Xiangu (Template:Lang), in modern context generally seen as the only female of the group, often depicted holding a lotus flower.
• Cao Guojiu (Template:Lang), related to a Song dynasty emperor before he became an immortal.
• Li Tieguai (Template:Lang), considered to be mentally disturbed and associated with medicine and easing the suffering of the sick and needy,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> identified by his iron crutch and calabash bottle.<ref name="britannica">Template:Cite web</ref>
• Lan Caihe (Template:Lang), originally pictured as female later developed an ambiguous or more accurately, a "transformative" gender and is considered the patron of florists<ref name="NatGeo">National Geographic Society (U.S.). National Geographic Essential Visual History of World Mythology. National Geographic Books, 2008. Page 340.</ref><ref name="Perkins140">Dorothy Perkins. Encyclopedia of China: History and Culture. Page 140.</ref> and gardeners.<ref name="GarrettDress">Valery M. Garrett. A Collector's Guide to Chinese Dress Accessories. Times Books International, 1997. Page 32.</ref>
• Lü Dongbin (Template:Lang), a scholar and poet considered to be the leader of the Eight Immortals.
• Han Xiangzi (Template:Lang), a flute artist.
• Zhang Guolao (Template:Lang), a fangshi symbol of longevity.
• Han Zhongli (Template:Lang), associated with death and the power to create silver and gold, often depicted holding a fan.