Figure of an Eight Immortal, Han Xiang Zi

The Eight Immortals did not emerge as a group until the Yuan dynasty (1279-1368 CE). It is doubtful if they were indeed historical figures. Each of them has a personal mythology traceable to the Han (200 BCE- 220 CE) and Song (960-1279 CE) dynasties. They are also associated with Eight Trigram directions in the Classic of Change or Yijing 易经. Nephew of the famous Tang poet Han Yu, Han Xiangzi epitomizes the perfect man totally at ease with nature. Here, he is depicted with his jade flute blowing lyrical tunes. He is the patron saint of musicians as a result of his iconography.

See related items

Figure of an Eight Immortal, Han Zhong Li

Figure of an Eight Immortal, He Xian Gu

Chinese woodblock print depicting Han Xiangzi (韩湘子) and Han Zhongli (汉钟离) two of the Eight Immortals against a patterned background

Figure of an Eight Immortal, Zhang Guo Lao