Auspicious Immortal Figures

Using the image of humans as the core of auspicious patterns was a kind of self-recognition for ancient Chinese people. Patterns with human are usually more complicated than those with animals and plants, and there is always an interesting story behind each design.

Eight Immortals (八仙- Bāxiān)

The Eight immortals (the leader Lü Dongbin, Zhongli Quan, Zhang Guolao (or Elder Zhang Guo), Cao Guojiu (or Royal Uncle Cao), Li Tieguai (or Iron-crutch Li), Han Xiangzi (or Philosopher Han Xiang), Lan Caihe and He Xiangu (or Immortal Woman He) are legendary figures in the Chinese Taoist mythology, said to have lived at various times and attained immortality through their studies of nature’s secrets. They are popular in Chinese art as altogether they symbolize prosperity and longevity.

The Eight Immortals are usually represented together, and they are considered to be mildly amusing and relatively harmless beings who spend their time entertaining themselves in various ways. Patterns with the Eight Immortals Crossing the sea is particularly popular and behind it there is an interesting story. The legend says that one day, when the Eight Immortals are drinking, Tieguai Li suggests that they pay a visit to the sea. Everybody agrees merrily and decide that they should cross the sea with their own skill instead of taking a boat. Han Zhongli throws his big palm leaf into the sea, jumps on it and with his belly exposed floats away on the fan. Tieguai Li puts his crutch into the sea and sits on it. Zhang Guolao leads the paper donkey he rides into the water. He Xiangu throws into the water the lotus she is holding in her hands, stands on it and flows away. Following them Lü Dongbin throws his sword, Han Xiangzi his flower-basket, Lan Caihe his musical instrument, and Cao Guojiu his tablet of admission to Court, and they all cross the sea.  Today the expression "Eight Immortals cross the sea" can refer to each member of a group making a distinctive contribution to their collective success, but it can also refer to each of them being left to his own devices.

The Eight Immortals crossing the sea, wood carving

Three Star Gods (福禄寿 - Fúlùshòu)

The Three Star Gods are the God of Fortune (福星 - Fúxīng), God of Prosperity (祿星- Lùxīng) and God of Longevity (寿星- Shòuxing) The God of Fortune is depicted as a man carrying a young boy (the highest blessing is having a male child to carry on the family name), the God of Prosperity holds a scepter of power (symbolizing the ability to reap high rewards), while the God of Longevity carries a tall staff and a peach (representing immortality) and is sometimes accompanied by a crane or deer. They are one of the major themes of Chinese folk art and they are often represented together in New Year prints, paper cuts, etc. Altogether this design is a symbol of good fortune, enormous wealth and longevity.

New Year Print with the Three Star Gods, Qing Dynasty

The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl (牛郎织女 – Niú Láng Zhī Nǚ)

The story of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl is one of the most popular love stories of ancient China. According to the story, when the cowherd, Niú Láng, was still a child, hid parents died. His brother and sister in law took most of the family property and left him only an old cow. One day, to Niú Láng`s surprise, the old cow started talking and told him to go to the river bank, where several fairies were bathing. The cow asked Niú Láng to steal the red dress lying on the bank and to hide it. Niú Láng did as told and came to know the owner of the red dress, Zhī Nǚ, the granddaughter of the Goddess of Heaven. Zhī Nǚ and Niú Láng got married, lived happily and had two children. However, when the Goddess of Heaven found out that Zhī Nǚ married a mortal, got furious and ordered the troops from Heaven to bring back Zhī Nǚ. Under the guidance of the cow, Niú Láng killed the cow, put on his hide and carried his children in a basket off to heaven to look for Zhī Nǚ. When Niú Láng is about to catch Zhī Nǚ, the Goddess of Heaven took out her hairpin and scratched a wide river in the sky to separate the lovers forever. Later, Zhī Nǚ and Niú Láng became two stars, Vega and Altair, on the two opposite sides of the Milky Way. Out of pity the Goddess of Heaven allowed them to get together for a single night once a year on the seventh day of the seventh month. It`s said that on this day all the magpies in the world fly up to heaven to form a bridge over the Milky Way so the lovers can meet again.

There are many decorative designs based on this legend, the most common the ones with the two lovers reunited on the bridge of magpies, and they symbolize conjugal affection and fidelity. 

Carved Lacquer Plate with Niu Lang and
Zhi Nu Pattern, Qing Dynasty, Nanjing Museum 

Read the introduction about Auspicious Symbols and Designs.
Back to Part 1 - Auspicious Beasts and Birds.
Back to part 2 - Auspicious Flowers and Plants.