Bowl with Eight Immortals

The Eight Immortals are a group of legendary figures symbolizing prosperity and longevity in Chinese mythology and Daoist religious belief. The legend of these immortals (in Chinese, xian, also translated as “transcendents” and “saints”) appears as early as the Song dynasty (960–1279) and in art by the time of the Jin dynasty (1115–1234). They represent a superior class of human beings, who after canonization retain their bodily form and dwell in remote mountains and hills. From scholars to lunatics, the Eight Immortals led a carefree life, full of drinking and festivity, and they generally acted in an irresponsible manner. Each immortal was recognizable by auspicious attributes. On this pair of bowls, for example, the elegantly coifed female deity He Xiangu holds a lotus flower that improves one’s mental and physical health, while the scruffy old man Li Tieguai is identified by his magical medicinal gourd bottle and iron crutch.