Figure of an Eight Immortal, Tie Guai Li

The Eight Immortals did not emerge as a group until the Yuan dynasty (1279-1368 CE). It is doubtful if they were indeed historical figures. Each of them has a personal mythology traceable to the Han (200 BCE- 220 CE) and Song (960-1279 CE) dynasties. They are also associated with Eight Trigram directions in the Classic of Change or Yijing 易经. Tieguai Li's 铁拐里 hideous crippled form was due to the oversight of his disciple. The latter had cremated Li’s original body when Li visited Laozi.

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Tie Guai Li

Figure of an Eight Immortal, He Xian Gu

Haw Par Villa exhibit showing characters from the Eight Immortals

Haw Par Villa exhibit showing characters from the Eight Immortals