KG owns an early 20th century forty-one-inch long Chinese Qing Dynasty carved camphor chest of little value—$350-400. These are relatively common, but it bears priceless symbolism. Should KG keep this or sell it? Read on regarding the spiritual side of this chest. I’d keep it around for protection!
Look at the carving on the lower panel of the trunk. You see ten figures carved in deep relief. These are the Eight Immortals, with two attendants.
The Canonical Group of Eight Immortals
They’re often portrayed on these imported Chinese chests, grouped as a line-of deities who travel together. The stylized clouds and waves along the edges represent the environment on this chest. Perhaps they all journey to the Peach Banquet of the Queen Mother of the West of Immortality. The large dragon in the roundel at the top is dynamic, a snarl surrounded by swirls, creating a powerful image of protection.
Most importantly the Immortals offer mortals an example of resilience and resourcefulness, because in their journeys, they don’t need a vessel. They rely, each one, on their unique superpower. The parable? When faced with a stormy sea in life, each one trusts in their “gift” and we all have one!
Pictured on household furnishings, the combined presence of all Eight Immortals, each with a magical weapon or talisman, carries auspicious associations with protection, good fortune, longevity, and harmony.
Signaling Out One Immortal Helpful As Well
When unwell, call on Li Tieguai, who, in the center of the chest’s lower panel, walks with an iron crutch and carries a medicine gourd. Or call on He Xiangu, the female wearing a health-giving lotus for physical perfection.
As a group, call on the Immortals when facing a trial or undergoing a risk. These folks emerged from mortals so they’re reachable, approachable, and know what hardships we mortals endure. Read about this sense of determination in the fable, “The Eight Immortals Cross the Sea,” the Taoist tale of the achievements of the blessed ones who achieved Taoist perfection.
I’ve seen such chests carved with hard to interpret motifs: large sailing vessels, soldiers on horseback, pagodas in gardens, court ladies playing cards. The chests may describe a beloved folktale.
The Eight Immortals:
- The female figure with the lotus leaf is the symbol of eternal and spiritual health, He Xiangu.
- The figure with a bamboo flute is magical and causes plants to grow and flowers to blossom, and is patron of gardeners, is Han Xiangzi.
- The figure with the long straight object holds a tubular drum, which suggests Zhang Guolao; if the object is instead a fan, the figure could be Zhongli Quan.
- Next, Lu Dongbin, a scholar wears his cap, carrying his magical sword against evil spirits, and keeps a special smirk on his face.
- The famed healer of the sick, the Iron Crutch Li Tieguai, with his walking staff, and tattered clothes, holding a magic gourd filled with potions.
- Cao Guojiu gave up his position in the Imperial Palace to follow the Tao, carries the evidence of his nobility on the jade tablets over his shoulder.
- Then, the musician of the fish drum, Zhang Guolao, uses his tube-drum of bamboo to tell futures and to sing Taoist ballads.
- Finally, the androgynous deity Lan Caihe with one shoe, the patron of gardeners, who carries a flower basket.
Each Immortal Is Special
Perhaps the favorite is Lu Dongbin, once a mortal who enjoyed sex, romance, and material possessions. He’s a scholar and a Tang Dynasty poet, immortalized having undergone ten trials to prove himself worthy. These trials taught Lu Dongbin that the world’s material achievements mean nothing.
The Eight Immortals also entered 20th-century popular culture in some wonderfully unexpected ways. Jackie Chan’s Drunken Master famously features the “Eight Drunken Immortals” as a series of martial-arts forms, each inspired by one legendary figures. The Eight Immortals also appear in Jackie Chan’s animated television series, ancient Chinese figures into a modern adventure story. In the X-Men Adventures, the Eight protect China from the evil mutant Xorn. In the Marvel Comics universe, the Eight continue their reign in Immortal Iron Fist, where their legendary powers weaven into the world of kung fu superheroes.
So auspicious is the number eight, the infinity symbol, the Beijing 2008 Olympics began at 8:08 p.m. on 8/8/2008.