What is the Chinese character for immortal?
Olivia Shea
Updated on March 03, 2026
Xian
Xian (Chinese: 仙/仚/僊; pinyin: xiān; Wade-Giles: hsien) is a Chinese word for an enlightened person or “immortal.” References to the term “xian” appeared in Chinese texts as early as the third century B.C.E., and its meaning appears to have evolved over the centuries.
Who are the 8 immortals from the Chinese myth?
The Eight Immortals are:
- He Xian Gu (何仙姑; pinyin: Hé Xiān Gū)
- Cao Gou Jiu (曹國舅; pinyin: Cáo Guó Jiù)
- Li Tie Guai (李鐵拐; pinyin: Lĭ Tiĕ Guăi)
- Lan Cai (蓝采和; pinyin: Lán Cǎihé)
- Lü Dongbin (呂洞賓; pinyin: Lǚ Dòngbīn)
- Han Xiang Zi (韓湘子; pinyin: Hán Xiāng Zi)
- Zhang Guo Lao (張果老; pinyin: Zhāng Guǒ Lǎo)
What are the 8 immortals of Taoism?
The Eight Immortals
- He Xian Gu. Often considered the only woman among the Immortals, He Xian Gu is said to be the daughter of He Tai, living in Zengcheng, Guangdong.
- Cao Guo Jiu.
- Taiguai Li.
- Lan Caihe.
- Lu Dongbin (also spelled Lu Tung Pin).
- Han Xiang Zi.
- Zhang Guo Lao.
- Zhongli Quan.
How many immortals are there in Chinese mythology?
Eight Immortals
In literature The Eight Immortals crossing the sea, from Myths and Legends of China. Clockwise in the boat starting from the stern: He Xian’gu, Han Xiang Zi, Lan Caihe, Li Tieguai, Lü Dongbin, Zhongli Quan, Cao Guojiu and outside the boat is Zhang Guo Lao.
How many Chinese immortals are there?
The Eight Immortals (Chinese: 八仙; pinyin: Bāxiān; Wade–Giles: Pa¹-hsien¹) are a group of legendary xian (“immortals”) in Chinese mythology. Each immortal’s power can be transferred to a vessel (法器) that can bestow life or destroy evil. Together, these eight vessels are called the “Covert Eight Immortals” (暗八仙).
What is caishen?
Caishen, Wade-Giles romanization Ts’ai Shen, also called Cai Boxing Jun, in Chinese religion, the popular god (or gods) of wealth, widely believed to bestow on his devotees the riches carried about by his attendants.
Who are the 5 gods immortals?
Theseus (Henry Cavill) must rally the troops to stop the evil King Hyperion (Mickey Rourke) from wiping out most of Greece (not unlike that country’s current financial woes) with help from a handful of gods: Zeus (Luke Evans), Athena (Isabel Lucas) and Poseidon (Kellan Lutz).
Is Hanuman a Chiranjeevi?
Lord Hanuman is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva. Interestingly, Hanuman is also called Chiranjeevi, meaning he is immortal. He exists in some form or the other even today. More revered as the faithful devotee of Shri Rama, Hanuman is known for his strength and knowledge.
What are the Eight Immortals in Chinese mythology?
The Eight Immortals (Chinese: 八仙; pinyin: Bāxiān; Wade–Giles: Pa¹-hsien¹) are a group of legendary xian (immortals) in Chinese mythology. Each immortal’s power can be transferred to a power tool (法器) that can bestow life or destroy evil. Together, these eight tools are called the Covert Eight Immortals (暗八仙).
Can a tortoise become immortal in Chinese mythology?
Not able to become immortal, the tortoise dies with hatred and later reincarnate into a monk Fahai (法海, Fǎ hǎi), who still remembers to take revenge on the white snake. One day, the white snake (白蛇, Báishé) in human shape, who is a beautiful lady, saves a green snake (青蛇, Qīng shé) from a human who is going to kill the green snake.
What are the characteristics of Chinese folktales?
Chinese folktales include a vast variety of forms such as myths, legends, fables, etc. A number of collections of such tales, such as Pu Songling’s Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio, now remain popular. Chinese folklore contains many symbolic folk meanings for the objects and animals within the folktales.
Is Lord of the cranes a Chinese folktale?
Lord of the Cranes: A Chinese Folktale. Retold by Kirsten Chen. (New York and London: North-South Books, 2000). “Lo-Sun, the Blind Boy”. Originally published in Chinese Fairy Tales by Norman Hinsdale Pitman by Thomas Y. Crowell Co., 1910.