Difference between revisions of "Lan Caihe" - New World Encyclopedia
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[[Image:1916-21h.jpg|thumb|A woodcut of Lan Caihe.]] | [[Image:1916-21h.jpg|thumb|A woodcut of Lan Caihe.]] | ||
| − | '''Lan Caihe''' (藍采和 | + | '''Lan Caihe''' (藍采和) ("Lan Ts'ai-ho" in Wade-Giles) is the least known of the [[Eight Immortals]]. Lan Caihe's age and sex are unknown, though he is generally thought to have lived during the Five Dynasties period (907-960 C.E.).<ref>Wong, 32.</ref> Lan Caihe is “sometimes regarded as a woman or even a hermaphrodite. Today, he would probably be recognized as a homosexual or transvestite”<ref>Pas, 194.</ref> In most illustrations, he is depicted as a young effeminate boy or youth carrying a bamboo flower basket. |
| − | + | In addition to his/her transgressive characterization, Lan Caihe's conduct was similarly uncouth (or even nonsensical). For example, he/she was famed for wearing only shorts and thin shirts in winter, and thick jacket and long pants in summer. Symbolizing this willfully incongruous conduct, he/she is often depicted walking about with one foot bare and the other shod. | |
==Member of the [[Ba Xian|Eight Immortals]]== | ==Member of the [[Ba Xian|Eight Immortals]]== | ||
| Line 11: | Line 11: | ||
Lan Caihe is one of the illustrious Eight Immortals ([[Ba Xian]]), a group of [[Daoism|Daoist]]/folk deities who play an important role in Chinese religion and culture. While they are famed for espousing and teaching Daoist philosophy and cultivation practices, they are also figures of popular myth and legend that are known for their devotion to the downtrodden and their collective lifestyle of “free and easy wandering.” Though they are most often depicted and described in the context of their group, each has their own particular set of tales, iconography, and areas of patronage. Each of these three elements will be elaborated on below. | Lan Caihe is one of the illustrious Eight Immortals ([[Ba Xian]]), a group of [[Daoism|Daoist]]/folk deities who play an important role in Chinese religion and culture. While they are famed for espousing and teaching Daoist philosophy and cultivation practices, they are also figures of popular myth and legend that are known for their devotion to the downtrodden and their collective lifestyle of “free and easy wandering.” Though they are most often depicted and described in the context of their group, each has their own particular set of tales, iconography, and areas of patronage. Each of these three elements will be elaborated on below. | ||
| − | == | + | ==Legends== |
| + | ==Iconographic Representation== | ||
| + | He is variously portrayed as a youth, an aged man, or a girl; in modern pictures generally as a girl. His distinctive emblem is a flower-basket, often carried slung on a hoe over his shoulder. The basket contains various flora associated with ideas of longevity. | ||
| + | ==Areas of Patronage== | ||
| + | While Lan Caihe could be seen as the patron of actors, minstrels, beggars and the mentally-ill (an assortment of liminal figures), it is notable that he/she is one of the least significant of the Eight Immortals (to the extent that he/she never receives attention apart from the context of the group).<ref>Werner, 345-346. Ho and O'Brien, 28.</ref> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Notes== | ||
| + | <references/> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==References== | ||
| + | *''The Eight Immortals of Taoism''. Translated and edited by Kwok Man Ho and Joanne O'Brien, with an introduction by Martin Palmer. New York: Meridian, 1990. ISBN 0-452-01070-5. | ||
| + | *Fowler, Jeaneane. An Introduction to the Philosophy and Religion of Taoism. Portland, OR: Sussex *Academic Press, 2005. ISBN 1-84519-085-8. | ||
| + | *Goodrich, Anne S. ''Peking Paper Gods: A Look at Home Worship''. Monumenta Serica Monograph Series XXIII. Nettetal: Steyler-Verlag, 1991. ISBN 3-8050-0284-X. | ||
| + | *Kohn, Livia. ''Daoism and Chinese Culture''. Cambridge, MA: Three Pines Press, 2001. ISBN 1-931483-00-0. | ||
| + | *Ling, Peter C. "The Eight Immortals of the Taoist Religion." ''Journal of the North China Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society'' XLIX (1918). 58-75. | ||
| + | *Pas, Julian F. in cooperation with Man Kam Leung. “Lan Ts’ai-ho/Lan Caihe.” ''Historical Dictionary of Taoism.'' Lanham, M.D. & London: The Scarecrow Press, 1998. 194. ISBN 0-8108-3369-7. | ||
| + | *Schipper, Kristofer. ''The Taoist Body''. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 1993. ISBN 0-520-05488-1. | ||
| + | *Werner, E.T.C. "Pa-Hsien" in ''A Dictionary of Chinese Mythology''. Wakefield, NH: Longwood Academic, 1990. 341-352. ISBN 0-89341-034-9. | ||
| + | *Wong, Eva. ''Tales of the Taoist Immortals''. Boston & London: Shambala, 2001. ISBN 1-57062-809-2. | ||
| − | |||
[[Category: Philosophy and religion]] | [[Category: Philosophy and religion]] | ||
Revision as of 01:48, 17 January 2007
Lan Caihe (藍采和) ("Lan Ts'ai-ho" in Wade-Giles) is the least known of the Eight Immortals. Lan Caihe's age and sex are unknown, though he is generally thought to have lived during the Five Dynasties period (907-960 C.E.).[1] Lan Caihe is “sometimes regarded as a woman or even a hermaphrodite. Today, he would probably be recognized as a homosexual or transvestite”[2] In most illustrations, he is depicted as a young effeminate boy or youth carrying a bamboo flower basket.
In addition to his/her transgressive characterization, Lan Caihe's conduct was similarly uncouth (or even nonsensical). For example, he/she was famed for wearing only shorts and thin shirts in winter, and thick jacket and long pants in summer. Symbolizing this willfully incongruous conduct, he/she is often depicted walking about with one foot bare and the other shod.
Member of the Eight Immortals
Lan Caihe is one of the illustrious Eight Immortals (Ba Xian), a group of Daoist/folk deities who play an important role in Chinese religion and culture. While they are famed for espousing and teaching Daoist philosophy and cultivation practices, they are also figures of popular myth and legend that are known for their devotion to the downtrodden and their collective lifestyle of “free and easy wandering.” Though they are most often depicted and described in the context of their group, each has their own particular set of tales, iconography, and areas of patronage. Each of these three elements will be elaborated on below.
Legends
Iconographic Representation
He is variously portrayed as a youth, an aged man, or a girl; in modern pictures generally as a girl. His distinctive emblem is a flower-basket, often carried slung on a hoe over his shoulder. The basket contains various flora associated with ideas of longevity.
Areas of Patronage
While Lan Caihe could be seen as the patron of actors, minstrels, beggars and the mentally-ill (an assortment of liminal figures), it is notable that he/she is one of the least significant of the Eight Immortals (to the extent that he/she never receives attention apart from the context of the group).[3]
Notes
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- The Eight Immortals of Taoism. Translated and edited by Kwok Man Ho and Joanne O'Brien, with an introduction by Martin Palmer. New York: Meridian, 1990. ISBN 0-452-01070-5.
- Fowler, Jeaneane. An Introduction to the Philosophy and Religion of Taoism. Portland, OR: Sussex *Academic Press, 2005. ISBN 1-84519-085-8.
- Goodrich, Anne S. Peking Paper Gods: A Look at Home Worship. Monumenta Serica Monograph Series XXIII. Nettetal: Steyler-Verlag, 1991. ISBN 3-8050-0284-X.
- Kohn, Livia. Daoism and Chinese Culture. Cambridge, MA: Three Pines Press, 2001. ISBN 1-931483-00-0.
- Ling, Peter C. "The Eight Immortals of the Taoist Religion." Journal of the North China Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society XLIX (1918). 58-75.
- Pas, Julian F. in cooperation with Man Kam Leung. “Lan Ts’ai-ho/Lan Caihe.” Historical Dictionary of Taoism. Lanham, M.D. & London: The Scarecrow Press, 1998. 194. ISBN 0-8108-3369-7.
- Schipper, Kristofer. The Taoist Body. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 1993. ISBN 0-520-05488-1.
- Werner, E.T.C. "Pa-Hsien" in A Dictionary of Chinese Mythology. Wakefield, NH: Longwood Academic, 1990. 341-352. ISBN 0-89341-034-9.
- Wong, Eva. Tales of the Taoist Immortals. Boston & London: Shambala, 2001. ISBN 1-57062-809-2.
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