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A very early collection of all of the 8 immortals from the Song Dynasty

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The original 8 IMMORTALS ----- this very rare and valuable collection of a set of 8 immortals HAS BEEN SOLD!...1,000 years ago a most beautiful translucent hard fine-grained light green jade gemstone was carved into the image of a THE EIGHT IMMORTALS. These beautiful gemstones were carefully carved from one very large jade gemstone boulder with the finest details and now time has endowed each and every one of them with ancient beauty. THE EIGHT IMMORTALS were in legend just typical individuals that represented the full spectrum of social status; wealth and poverty, old age and youth, male and female. ...SEE BELOW ALL EIGHT IMMORTALS....

Either singly or in groups the Eight Immortals, Pa Hsien, of the Taoist religion are one of the most popular subjects of representation in China; their portraits are to be seen everywhere—on porcelain vases, teapots, teacups, fans, scrolls, embroidery, etc. Images of them are made in porcelain, earthenware, roots, wood, metals. The term Eight Immortals is figuratively used for happiness. The number eight has become lucky in association with this tradition, and persons or things eight in number are graced accordingly. Thus we read of reverence shown to the ‘Eight Genii Table�E(Pa Hsien Cho), the ‘Eight Genii Bridge�E(Pa Hsien Ch’iao), ‘Eight Genii Vermicelli�E(Pa Hsien Mien), the ‘Eight Genii of the Wine-cup�E(Tin Chung Pa Hsien)—wine-bibbers of the T’ang dynasty celebrated by Tu Fu, the poet. They are favorite subjects of romance, and special objects of adoration. In them we see “the embodiment of the ideas of perfect but imaginary happiness which possess the minds of the Chinese people.�EThree of them (Chung-li Ch’üan, Chang Kuo, and L�EYen) were historical personages; the others are mentioned only in fables or romances. They represent all kinds of people—old, young, male, female, civil, military, rich, poor, afflicted, cultured, noble. They are also representative of early, middle, and later historical periods.  I hope you enjoy your journey down The Jade Road. -ian (Fung Gen Qua)

Tie Gwai Li (The Cripple 1 of 8)
Approximate Size: H 5.75" x W 2.60" x T 2.00"

History: AAccording to legends, his original name is Li Xuang. He met Tai Shang Lao Jun and became a celestial being. Legends state that he was a personal friend of Lao Tzu, the famous philosopher. When his spirit went adventuring, his body was left in the care of a disciple. On one occasion, the disciple was called away, and when Tie Gwai Li returned, his body had disappeared. He then took possession of the body of a dying beggar, and in such, is always portrayed supported by a crutch and a pilgrim's gourd as his trademark items. He is lame, so he sprinkles water on a bamboo cane and turns it into a iron walking stick. He is also called Tei Guai Li because his surname is connected with "Tie Guai" which means "iron walking stick".



Shou Xin (The Sage 2 of 8)
Approximate Size: H 7.10" x W 2.00" x T 1.45"

History: In Chinese, "Shou Xin" means "Star of Longevity". He is both an immortal and a powerful symbol of long life. His portrait is often displayed during one's birthday for good luck. He is perhaps the most recognized of the immortals because his likeness is used for so many purposes. You can find statues of him and his wife in gift stores around the world and pictures of him appear on posters, gift wrapping, and gift cards.

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Mang Mu Nian Niang ( Goddess of Beauty 3 of 8)
Approximate Size: H 7.10" x W 2.30" x T 1.40"

History: Also named Xi Wang Mu, Jing Mu, or Xi Lao. According to the "Biography of Emperor Mu Tien Zi", she is a fair and gentle elderly woman with a gift of singing. But according to the "Biography of Emperor Han Mu Ti:", she is about thirty-years old and an exceedingly beautiful goddess. She bestowed the flat peaches, which blossom once every three thousand years, on Emperor Han Wu Ti. When the flat peaches bear fruits, she always entertains the celestial beings with them in celebration of her birthday.


Cao Guo Jiu ( Patron Saint of Theatre 4 of 8 )
Approximate Size: H 7.20" x W 2.50" x T 1.75"

History: HHis name is Jiu and his surname is Cao. He was born in the Sung dynasty, son of a military commander and was an uncle of the emperor. Fearing that he might be involved in trouble caused by his brother's ill behavior, he went to the mountains to learn the doctrines of Taoism. Afterwards, led by Hang Zhong Li and Lu Dong Bin, he joined the society of the celestial beings. He wears an official court headdress and carries a pair of castanets as his trademark symbol. He is considered the "patron saint" of the theatre.


He Xian Gu (Goddess of Destiny 5 of 8 )
Approximate Size: H 6.90" x W 3.60" x T 2.00"

History: She was a native of Guangzhou (Canton) in the Tang dynasty, where she lived near the Yun Mu River. When she was fourteen to fifteen years old, she became a celestial being as a result of taking the Daoist medicine of mother-of-pearl powder. She disappeared one day when on her way to the court of the Empress Wu (AD 690-705) who had sent for her. She was revered for the long distances she traveled to pick dainty bamboo shoots for her mother who as very ill. Some say that she was a Daoist Nun during the Sung dynasty. Literates and officials often make inquiries of her on their future and destiny. She carries a lotus flower or seed pod as her trademark.
�@ Lan Cai He ( Patron Saint of Gardeners 6 of 8 )
Approximate Size: H 7.20" x W 2.25" x T 2.15"

History: His name was first mentioned in Shen Fen's "The Celestial Being's Biographies, The Sequel" of the Tang dynasty. He often wears worn-out clothing. He usually holds a bamboo clapper and acts as though he is a common beggar. For a living, he often begs for handouts in the busiest areas of the town, singing loudly while as if intoxicated. He was considered "semi-crazed by many. He travels far and wide with great ease. Early representations of this immortal show him with a flute. His trademark is a bamboo basket as he is considered the "patron saint" of gardeners.

Zhang Guo Lao ( Patron Saint of Magic 7 of 8 )
Approximate Size: H 7.10" x W 2.50" x T 1.55"

History: Zhang Guo Lao lives in seclusion on mount Zhong Tiao. During the Tang Dynasty, he was already reported to be over 200 hundred years old. Once, Empress Wu Zhe Tiang dispatched officers to call upon him and bring him back for questioning, but he pretended to be dead...afterwards, some people met him walking around Mount Heng. He was invited by Xuan Zong, the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, to demonstrate his magic arts (he was a famous magician of the 7th and 8th centuries). He typically is pictured riding a white donkey with his back forward. The donkey is capable of running thousands of miles each day. According to legend, when he needs to rest, he folds up the white donkey and hides it in a small box. He usually carries a musical instrument, a bamboo tube beaten by two rods which are carries inside the tube.
�@ Han Zhong Li ( Patron Saint of Healers 8 of 8 )
Approximate Size: H 6.80" x W 2.30" x T 1.40"

History: Zhong Li is his last name and Quan is his first name. Tie Guai Li helped him learn the religious doctrine of Taoism in the mountains. After finishing his Taoist studies, he went back to the earthly society. He beheaded a tiger with a flying sword and touched a stone and turned it into gold... giving the wealth to the poor. He left the earth for the heaven with his brother. He also helped Lu Dong Bin achieve immortal status. It is said that he lived several hundred years before the Christian era, and is said to be able to revive the souls of the dead with his magic fan, which is his trademark.

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