Han Xiang Zi

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Philosopher Han Xiang

One of the Eight Immortals, Han Xiang Zi (韓湘子) ("Han Hsiang Tzu" in Wade-Giles) is generally thought to have been a historical person, born in the Tang dynasty (618-906 C.E.). He is said to be the nephew of Han Yu (768 - 824 C.E.), a prominent Confucian statesman and a precursor to the Neo-Confucian revival.

In legends, Han Xiang Zi is described as an austere seeker after metaphysical truth who is utterly disinterested in politics and worldly affairs. In iconography, he is typically portrayed as an attractive youth bearing (or playing) a flute.

Member of the Eight Immortals

Main article: Ba Xian

Han Xiang Zi 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

Han Xiang studied Daoism under Lü Dongbin. Once at a banquet by Han Yu, Han Xiang persuaded Han Yu to give up a life of officialdom. But Han Yu was adamant that Han Xiang should give up his life of Daoism, so Han Xiang demonstrated the power of the Dao by pouring cups after cups of wine from the gourd without an end.


Iconographic Representation

Area of Patronage

Because of his unearthly proficiency at creating music, Han Xiang Zi came to be seen as "the patron of musicians."[1]

Notes

  1. Ho and O'Brien, 28.

References
ISBN 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. “Han Hsiang-tzu/Han Xiangzi.” Historical Dictionary of Taoism. Lanham, M.D. & London: The Scarecrow Press, 1998. 150-151. 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.
  • Yetts, W. Perceval. "The Eight Immortals." Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Britain and Ireland for 1916 (1916). 773-806. Accessed online at: http://www.sacred-texts.com/journals/jras/1916-21.htm.

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