Zhang Guo Lao
Elder Zhang Guo (張果老) ("Chang Kuo Lao" in Wade-Giles) is one of the Eight Immortals who is generally thought to have lived during the Tang dynasty (618-907 C.E.). His proficiency at various magical arts is well known, to the extent that he was allegedly given the title "Master Comprehension-of-Profundity" (通玄先生 Tōngzhào Xiānshēng) by a Tang emperor.
In iconographic depictions, he is most easily recognizable by his mode of conveyance (a white donkey), which he is often seen riding backwards.
He is the most eccentric of the Eight Immortals, as one can see from the kung fu style that was dedicated to him — a bizarre set of techniques that includes moves such as delivering a kick during a backflip or bending so far back that your shoulders touch the ground.
Member of the Eight Immortals
Zhang Guo Lao 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
Zhang Guo began his life as an impoverish
During his life was a Taoist occultist-alchemist (方士) who lived on Mount Tiáo (條山) in the Heng Prefecture (恒州 Héngzhōu) during the Tang Dynasty. By the time of Empress Wu, he claimed to be serveral hundred years old. He also declared that he had been Grand Minister to the Emperor Yao during a previous existence. Zhang Guo Lao was known for wandering between the Fen River & Chin territories during his lifetime and was known to travel at least a thousand li per day.
In the twenty-third year (735 C.E.) of the reign-period K'ai Yüan of the Emperor Hsüan Tsung of the Tang dynasty, he was called to Luoyang in Henan, and elected Chief of the Guozijian|Imperial Academy, with the honourable title of "Very Perspicacious Teacher".
It was just at this time that the famous Daoist Chang Kuo Lao (he usually has the epithet Lao, 'old,' added to his name) was. "I know," replied the magician; "but if I were to tell your Majesty I should fall dead at your feet, so I dare not speak unless your Majesty will promise that you will go with bare feet and bare head to ask Chang Kuo to forgive you, in which case I should immediately revive." Hsüan Tsung having promised, Fa-shan then said: "Chang Kuo is a white spiritual bat which came out of primeval chaos." No sooner had he spoken than he dropped dead at the Emperor's feet.
Hsüan Tsung, with bare head and feet, went to Chang Kuo as he had promised, and begged forgiveness for his indiscretion. The latter then sprinkled water on Fa-shan's face and he revived. Soon after Chang fell sick and returned to die in the Hêng Chou Mountains. When his disciples opened his tomb, they found it empty.
Iconographic Representation
Area of Patronage
The elderly
male offspring [1]
Zhang Guo also had a love for wine and winemaking. He was known to make liquor from herbs and shrubs as a hobby.
Wine and wine-making[2]
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. “Chang Kuo-Lao/Zhang Guolao.” Historical Dictionary of Taoism. Lanham, M.D. & London: The Scarecrow Press, 1998. 170. 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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