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Eight Immortals
Chinese fables and legends have interesting and spiritual
stories to tell the world. The eight immortals is one
such fable that is found everywhere in China. They are
revered as Gods by the Chinese and their fame has also
spread to the shores of Japan. It is believed that the
eight immortals were sent from heaven to earth by God to
protect the people and make their stay happy on mother
earth. There
are seven men and one woman in the eight immortals.
There are paintings, wall hangings, engraved showpieces,
prints on bone china and artifacts. You can see the
eight immortals travelling in a dragon boat towards
heaven with the dragon holding a pearl in its mouth. It
is believed that the pearl is the key to the gates of
heaven. The
names of the eight immortals are: Han Zhongli (Zhong
Liquan), Zhang Guolao, Han Xiangzi, Tie Guaili, Cao
Guojiu, Lu Dongbin, Lan Caihe and He Xiangu. The eight
immortals consists of men, women, old, young, rich,
poor, the humble Chinese and a female. All of them hold
a talisman in their hands. Each of them has a specific
meaning to it. Zhong Liquan's fan can give life. Zhang
Guolao's drum can predict the future.
Han Xingzi's flute can cause growth. Tie Guaili's
gourd can help the poor and needy. Cao Guojiu's jade
board sanctifies the environment. Lu Dongbin's sword can
control the evil and ward off bad spirits. He Xiangu's
Water Lily helps people to meditate and attain
enlightenment. Lan Caihe's basket of flowers helps
people to mediate and communicate with Gods.
If the painting or picture of the eight immortals flying off
to heaven on a dragon ship is hung in a home or office
as per Feng Shui it can surely attract positivity to the
home or office. They are considered auspicious and the
eight immortals are found in all Chinese homes. The
FengShui masters always recommend that these eight
immortals can ward off the negative energy and bring
prosperity and abundance into an individual’s life.
Since Feng shui has 8 directions it is believed that
each of these immortals guard one direction. The best
way to get optimum results is to hang a painting of the
eight immortals in your living room or foyer to attract
positive energy. Theirs is a world of magic and
supernatural feats that bring benefits to those who
invite them into their homes. The legend of the Eight
Immortals is one of the most moving Chinese ancient
stories. These gods have specific features that shows
that they belong to the Taoism and dates back to the
Yuan dynasty of 1280 A.D.
Some feel that the eight immortals symbolize life itself and
tell us that to cross the troubled waters of life on
earth you need to ward off evil, fight poverty, sanctify
your environment and grow in prosperity. It is only a
symbolic representation of our life on earth. Having a
painting in the living room or office can help soothe
your taut nerves and guide you to think positively. The
white swan in the picture symbolizes peace and freedom.
Why these eight immortals are pictured together is not
known and who made them into a group of eight is also a
mystery.
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