Eight Immortals Coin Set. Commemorative coins struck in the 1950s by the Taiwanese government. These coins are quite rare and scarce. The perfect gift to give for the Chinese New Year. The Eight Immortals were legendary beings of Taoism who knew the secrets of nature. The immortals are believed to be able to raise the dead, to make themselves invisible, to turn stone into gold and to bless anyone who bore their image. Symbols representing the characteristic attributes of each immortal were depicted in a wide variety of porcelain, bronze, ivory and embroidered objects. Often considered the only woman among the Immortals, He Xian Gu is said to be the daughter of He Tai, living in Zengcheng, Guangdong. She is often depicted carrying a lotus flower, said to improves one’s mental and physical health. Thought to be an actual historical figure, his name translates literally as Imperial Brother-in-Law Cao. A member of the royal family in the Song Dynasty, Cao Guo Jiu is often shown dressed in official robes and holding a jade tablet or clappers/ castinets. He is regarded as the patron of actors and the theater. Often translated as “Iron Crutch Li, ” this Immortal is rather ill-tempered but is also a benevolent patron to the sick and needy. He is usually depicted carrying a gourd slung over his shoulder, from which he dispenses medicine to heal the sick. Likely a purely mythological figure (although some argue otherwise), Lan Caih is sometimes depicted as a male but other times as a female. He/she often carries a bamboo flower basket and/or a pair of bamboo clappers/ castinets. He/she is a decided eccentric, serving to symbolize a carefree life devoid of the concerns and responsibilities of ordinary life. Lu Dongbin (also spelled Lu Tung Pin). This may be the best known of all the Immortals, and is sometimes considered their leader. He is an actual historical figure-a scholar and poet living during the Tang Dynasty. Lu Dongbin’s symbol is a magic sword that dispels evil spirits and provides him with invisibility. He is regarded as a patron deity for highly literate people; some also see him as a champion of the medical profession. Translated as “Philosopher Han Xiang, ” is usually thought to be an historical person living during the Tang Dynasty and related to a Confucian scholar. Han Xiang Zi is often depicted carrying a flute and is regarded as a patron deity of musicians. He is one of the Immortals known with fair certainty to be an actual historical figure. Zhang Guo Lao lived from approximately the middle of the 7th century into the 8th century, practicing as a Taoist hermit in the mountains of east-central China. He is typically shown seated on a white mule, often facing backwards. For Taoists, he is regarded as a protector of children and as patron of wine and the good life. Likely a purely mythological figure, Zhongli Quan is usually shown with his chest and stomach exposed, holding a fan with which he can resurrect the dead and transform stones into precious metals. He usually is featured with a long beard reaching to his navel. A pleasant character, he is often shown drinking wine. This item is in the category “Coins & Paper Money\Coins: World\Asia\China\PRC (1949-Now)”. The seller is “greenwich_traders” and is located in this country: US. This item can be shipped to United States.
- Country/Region of Manufacture: China
- Certification: Uncertified
- Grade: Ungraded
