The Lotus Immortal 何仙姑

This is a portrait from Peking Opera "Eight Immortals Cross the Sea".

The Eight Immortals (Chinese: 八仙) are a group of legendary xian (immortals) in Chinese mythology. Each immortal's power can be transferred to a vessel (法器) that can bestow life or destroy evil. Together, these eight vessels are called the "Covert Eight Immortals" (暗八仙). Most of them are said to have been born in the Tang or Song Dynasty. They are revered by the Taoists and are also a popular element in secular Chinese culture. They are said to live on a group of five islands in the Bohai Sea, which includes Mount Penglai.

While cults dedicated to various Taoist immortals date back to the Han dynasty, the popular and well-known Eight Immortals first appeared in the Jin dynasty. The wall murals and sculptures in the Jin tombs, created during the 12th and 13th centuries, depict a group of eight Taoist immortals. The term "Eight Immortals" became commonplace after the popularization of the Taoist group of writers and artists known as the Complete Realization (Quanshen). The most famous art depiction of the Eight Immortals from this period is a mural of them in the Eternal Joy Temple (Yongle Gong) at Ruicheng.

The Eight Immortals are considered to be signs of prosperity and longevity, so they are popular themes in ancient and medieval art. They were frequent adornments on celadon vases. They were also common in sculptures owned by the nobility. Many silk paintings, wall murals, and wood block prints remain of the Eight Immortals. They were often depicted either together in one group, or alone to give more homage to that specific immortal.

Artwork inspired by and about the Eight Immortals is not limited to paintings or other visual arts. They are quite prominent in written works as well. Authors and playwrights have written numerous stories and plays on the Eight Immortals. The Eight Immortals are sometimes featured in Peking Opera.

He Xiangu (何仙姑) is the sole female member of the Daoist Eight Immortals, a revered Chinese mythological figure known for her purity, spiritual enlightenment, and association with healing and longevity, often depicted holding a lotus flower, having lived in the Tang Dynasty as He Qiong, and achieving immortality by consuming powdered mica as instructed in a dream.

Believed to have lived during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE) in China, she famously disappeared en route to an imperial summons, later seen ascending to heaven, marking her full immortal status.

She represents spiritual freedom, selflessness, and the potential for women to achieve divinity in Daoism.

For my photo session on this occasion, I am very lucky to have famous Shanghai opera actress 奥黛丽佳 as 何仙姑…