18TH CENTURY

The Eight Daoist Immortals represent five mythical and three historical individuals with magical powers which can be used to intercede on behalf of mortals. They are Zhongli Quan who carries a fan; Zhang Guolao who carries a bamboo tube-drum with two iron sticks to strike it; Lu Dongbin whose attributes are a fly whisk and a sword; Cao Guojiu shown with castanets (clappers); Li Tieguai shown with an iron crutch and a gourd; Lan Caihe depicted as a woman or a boy with a flower basket; He Xiangu, a woman shown with a lotus or flower basket; and Han Xiangzi shown with a flute. This grouping is commonly encountered on Ming ceramics and other decorative arts, such as wood carving, from the Jiajing reign (1522-66) onward, and continued to enjoy great popularity during the Qing dynasty.