An Baxian, or the Hidden Eight Immortals, is a decorative pattern found on Qing Dynasty porcelain. It originates from the Ba Xian (Eight Immortals) Daoist symbols but is a more abstract and stylized form.
The term An Baxian refers to the eight magical cultivated tools associated with eight revered Daoist immortals. Because these cultivated tools subtly hint at their owners, they are called the Hidden Eight Immortals.
The Daoist symbols represents eight magical cultivated tools are:
- the Pure Yang Sword (纯阳剑)
- the Banana-Leave Fan (芭蕉扇)
- the Jade Tablet (玉板)
- the Lotus (莲花)
- the Fish Drum (渔鼓)
- the Golden-Purple Flute (紫金萧)
- the Flower Basket (花篮)
- the Gourd (葫芦)
Each tool carries auspicious meanings similar to the immortals themselves, symbolizing the ideals and pursuits of Daoism.
Eight Immortals
The Eight Immortals are legendary figures in Chinese folklore and Daoism. Before the Ming Dynasty, different groups of Eight Immortals were mentioned, including those from the Han, Tang, and Song-Yuan periods.
The version we are familiar with today was popularized in the Ming Dynasty by Wu Yuantai’s “Journey to the East” (《东游记》), which solidified the figures of:
- Lyu Dongbin (吕洞宾)
- Han Zhongli (汉钟离)
- Cao Guojiu (曹国舅)
- He Xiangu (何仙姑)
- Zhang Guolao (张果老)
- Han Xiangzi (韩湘子)
- Lan Caihe (蓝采和)
- Tie Guai Li (铁拐李)
These stories, drawn from various Yuan and Ming Dynasty plays, describe the journey and cultivation of these immortals.
The An Baxian symbols, formed by their magical cultivated tools, represents the ideals of Daoism.
Meanwhile, the Eight Immortals themselves symbolize Daoist beliefs in equality in cultivation. Before becoming the immortals, their original earthly identities are diverse, including not only privileged figures such as generals, royals, but also less privileged figures such as beggars, the disabled, wanderers, and women.
This diversity represents “men and women, old and young, rich and poor, noble and lowly,” a microcosm of all walks of life.
Daoism teaches that anyone can achieve Taoist transcendence, regardless of lineage, social class, or gender, promoting an inclusive and comprehensive view of cultivation.
Let’s start by exploring each immortal and the symbolic An Baxian representing them.
Lyu Dongbin: The Pure Yang Sword
Our first Daoist symbol is the Chun Yang Sword, or the Pure Yang Sword, Lyu Dongbin’s magical cultivated tool.
In the “men and women, old and young, rich and poor, noble and lowly” diversity, Lyu Dongbin represents “men.”
The Symbol
In the Daoist belief system, the sword is a symbol of wisdom. It represents the ability to cut through ignorance and delusion, striving for a higher state of being.
The sword can eliminate demons, defeat enemies, and dispel illusions, symbolizing both external and internal battles.
The Immortal
Lyu Dongbin, a historical figure revered as a Daoist master, is famous for his wisdom and mastery of the sword.
Known as Chun Yang Zi or Pure Yang Zi, he is one of the founders of Internal Alchemy in Daoism
Lyu Dongbin studied under Zhongli Quan and later passed on his teachings to Liu Haichan and Wang Chongyang, becoming one of the “Five Northern Patriarch” of the Quanzhen Sect and the Patriarch of the Southern School of Internal Alchemy.
Stories About Lyu Dongbin
A famous story about Lyu Dongbin is “Zhongli Quan’s Ten Trials of Lyu Dongbin”:
- Trial of Kinship: Upon returning home, Lyu Dongbin found his family dead from illness. He showed no regret, only prepared burial. Shortly after, they all revived unharmed.
- Trial of Gain and Loss: When Lyu Dongbin selling goods at the market, the agreed price was suddenly halved by the buyer. Lyu Dongbin calmly accepted the lower price.
- Trial of Honor and Disgrace: On New Year’s Day, a beggar insulted him while demanding alms. Lyu Dongbin responded with a smile and gave him more.
- Trial of Compassion: While herding sheep, a tiger attacked. Lyu Dongbin shielded the sheep with his body, and the tiger retreated.
- Trial of Lust: A beautiful woman, lost and seeking rest, attempted to seduce Lyu Dongbin. He remained unmoved.
- Trial of Wealth: Returning home to find all his wealth stolen, Lyu Dongbin was unperturbed and continueed to farm. He discovered gold bars but left them untouched.
- Trial of Integrity: After buying bronze items that turned out to be gold, Lyu Dongbin returned them to the seller.
- Trial of Resolve: Drinking a potion sold by a mad Daoist claiming it would cause death and rebirth into Dao, Lyu Dongbin took it without fear and survived.
- Trial of Calmness: Crossing a flooded river, Lyu Dongbin remained calm amidst the panicking crowd.
- Trial of Spiritual Endurance: Sitting alone, surrounded by demons, Lyu Dongbin remained fearless. His master, Zhongli Quan, praised him for passing all trials and starting teaching him Daoist Cultivation.
These trials highlight the unshaken mind a cultivator needs to have on their way to the Dao.
Han Zhongli: The Banana-Leaf Fan
The second Daoist symbol we introduce is the Banana-Leaf Fan, which is Han Zhongli’s magical cultivated tool.
In the representation of “men and women, old and young, rich and poor, noble and lowly,” Han Zhongli represents the “poor.”
The Symbol
The Banana-Leaf Fan symbolizes the Daoist pursuit of carefree freedom (Xiao Yao), an ideal from Zhuangzi’s teachings.
Han Zhongli’s fan is said to extinguish fire when being fanned at fire, and calm the wind when being fanned at the wind.
It represents extinguishing the flames of the six desires and blowing away the barriers of worry, bringing a state of serene and carefree mind.
The Immortal
Han Zhongli, the owner of this magical tool, also embodies the spirit of carefree freedom.
Originally a general, Han Zhongli abandoned his wealth and status to pursue the Dao and become an immortal.
He is often depicted with a bare chest, having child-like pigtails, wearing simple clothing, and holding a fan, reflecting his detachment from material wealth and social norms.
However, this is very unusual for an adult man. In ancient China, men underwent a coming-of-age ceremony called the “Crowning Ceremony,” where their scattered hair was tied into a topknot and adorned with a crown, symbolizing their transition into adulthood, social responsibility, and adherence to societal roles.
However, Han Zhongli is commonly portrayed with two pigtails, a hairstyle typical of children, symbolizing his rejection of societal constraints and his pursuit of a carefree, childlike existence.
Stories About Han Zhongli
According to “Complete Biographies of Immortals” (《列仙全传》), Han Zhongli was a native of Yan, known as Master Yunfang. He served as a great general during the Han Dynasty.
During a campaign against the Western Qiang, due to the jealousy of his superior Liang Ji, he was given only 30,000 old and weak soldiers. Upon arrival, his camp was attacked by the Qiang army, and his soldiers scattered.
Lost, he encountered a foreign monk who led him to a small village, saying, “This is the residence of Master Donghua.”
Shortly after, the monk disappeared, and Han Zhongli heard someone say, “This must be the work of that talkative blue-eyed monk.”
Then suddenly, he saw a man draped in white deerskin, holding a green staff, who asked, “Are you the great general Han Zhongli?”
Han Zhongli was astonished, realizing he had met an extraordinary person, and sincerely began learning the Dao.
Later, Han Zhongli met Immortal Wang Xuanfu and Huayang Zhenren, from whom he learned the “Secret of Eternal Life.” from whom he learned the Taiyi Nine Regulations, Fire Talisman Golden Elixir, and the profound mysteries of Dao.
Eventually, he attained the Jade Casket Secrets on Mount Kongtong, becoming an immortal. He often referred to himself as the “Most Leisurely Person Under Heaven,” symbolizing his ultimate carefree and leisurely life.
He is also the teachter of Lyu Dongbin, being revered as one of the Northern Five Patriarchs of the Quanzhen Sect, known as “Patriarch Zhengyang.”
