Figure of an Eight Immortal, He Xian Gu

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) dynasties. They are also associated with Eight Trigram directions in the Classic of Change or Yijing 易经. The only female of the group, He Xiangu is usually depicted holding a lotus flower, lingzhi mushrooms, peaches or even a ladle.

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Haw Par Villa statue of He Xian Gu, one of the Eight Immortals

Figure of an Eight Immortal, Tie Guai Li

Figure of an Eight Immortal, Lan Cai He

Haw Par Villa exhibit showing characters from the Eight Immortals