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The Eight Immortals: Part One: Enduring Characters in Popular Taoist Tales
| Article
# : |
10308 |
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Section : |
CULTURE
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| Issue
Date : |
12 / 1993 |
2,334 Words |
| Author
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Pack Carnes
Pack Carnes is associate professor of Japanese studies and
folklore in the Department of Modern Languages at Lake Forest
College in Illinois. He is editor of Western Folklore. |
The majority of Taoist popular tales concern the quest for immortality. Attaining this goal has varied consequences. Heavenly immortals are those who live among the gods and celestial beings. Earthly immortals remain on earth to pursue good deeds, heal the sick, and protect the poor.
Learning to fly and achieving dissolution of the body into an ephemeral form, almost the equivalent of a spirit or soul, are significant steps frequently taken en route to immortality. To attain that sort of floating body was to become hsien (immortal, or in some cases a patron saint, fairy, even angel). The word, a composite of the characters for man and mountain, reflects a long tradition of reclusive and ascetic life practices.
The Eight Immortals of China, the Pa Hsien, are legendary figures about whom stories have long circulated. The stories originate from Taoist lore and became part of the written tradition during the Tang dynasty (618-907). They were compiled during the Sung and Yuan dynasties (960-1279 and 1279-1368).
Immortals who live with men and the gods
The Pa Hsien include seven humans who have achieved immortality and one being, Lan Ts'ai Ho, who was demoted to the rank of immortal from the gods. Some of the eight are historical personages, generally from the Tang dynasty. Of the eight, six are men, one is a girl, and one is sexually ambiguous in the sense of actually being both genders. The Pa Hsien are reputed to live on various mountains on earth or in heaven. They interact with gods and humans coming out on top in any situation. They trick and play jokes on gods and humans alike, but they also act as patron saints and use their unique powers for the good of mankind. Generally, their action results in victory over oppression or misfortune.
The Eight Immortals can be found throughout Chinese culture: in Taoist popular literature; as decorations on furniture, porcelain, and glassware; and as characters in literature, drama, and, nowadays, film. Perhaps more important, they live on as characters in a wealth of orally transmitted stories, satires, legends, and folktales, appearing both separately and together.
Each of the Pa Hsien is distinct in personality, appearance, and activity. Each possesses an identifying object, a particular function, and a special cause. Each guards and is associated with one of the Eight Trigrams, symbols that denote
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