Compendium of Chinese Folk Customs · Belief

Author: Zheng Tiyou
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-05-01
Features: The belief in immortals originates from people's longing for the lives of immortals. Immortals are a kind of "superhuman," an invention of ancient Chinese people. On a global scale, the early thinking of humans and later religious beliefs are generally constructed based on the concept of the soul, where the soul reincarnates to give birth to humans, and after death, people return to a soul state (as gods or ghosts). This cycle is endless, and the real person is just a part of the soul cycle. Immortals transcend this cycle. Ordinary people can break free from this cycle through certain cultivation methods, achieving simultaneous immortality of the soul and body, which is known as immortality. According to many scholars abroad, the phenomenon of pursuing physical immortality of immortals does not exist in other countries. The belief in immortals is a unique folk belief phenomenon in China. Immortals are "superhumans" who, through cultivation, achieve spiritual and physical immortality and can live freely in the universe. The methods of cultivation include consuming immortal herbs, practicing breathing exercises, ingesting elixirs, and more. In addition, one can become an immortal through acts of goodness, helping others, and benefiting society. After achieving immortality, one acquires the magical powers of immortals, such as the ability to fly through the sky like a horse, the ability to transform in countless ways, the ability to command ghosts and gods beyond time and space, and the ability to heal all illnesses, etc. Immortals can transcend the limitations of time and space, the constraints of human physiology, and the restrictions of social systems, leading a truly free and wonderful life. In Taoism, based on the difficulty and level of cultivation methods, personal aptitude, and the reflection of worldly hierarchies in the immortal realm, immortals are divided into different ranks, typically including celestial immortals, earth immortals, corpse-immortal, water immortals, and ghost immortals. Celestial immortals refer to those who rise into the void, reside in celestial palaces, and possess the ability to transform and communicate with gods. It is generally believed that they achieve immortality by consuming the Nine-Turn Returning Elixir or the Great Yi Golden Liquid, and they are considered the highest rank of immortals, such as the Jade Emperor, the Queen Mother of the West, Laozi, Chi Songzi, Zixiao, and Mao Ying. Earth immortals are those who achieve immortality directly through their physical bodies but cannot ascend to the heavens and can only reside in earthly paradises. Some earth immortals do not ascend to the heavens because they are fond of the freedom and ease of life in the mortal world, like Bai Shi. Earth immortals are considered mid-level immortals in the immortal realm, and famous ones include Mamingsheng, Xi Yangong, Yin Changsheng, Pengzu, and Anqisheng, among whom the Eight Immortals are particularly renowned. They are ever-changing, often playing and hiding among the common people, helping and benefiting others, and have a significant influence in folk culture. Corpse-immortals cannot achieve immortality directly through their physical bodies but must pass through the intermediary stage of "death," though this "death" is a form of temporary death or transformation. The reasons for corpse-immortal transformation vary: some lack the innate immortal bones, others are not skilled in cultivation methods, and some do it to warn their descendants not to pursue worldly gains or to give them a chance to grieve. When a corpse-immortal achieves immortality, what is left behind is not a real body but a false corpse transformed from talismans, staffs, swords, or shoes. When open the tomb and exhume the coffin, the "corpse" reverts to its original form of a sword, staff, etc., and only then do people realize that the "dead" has become an immortal. Corpse-immortal transformation comes in many forms, such as being killed by weapons (), by water (), or by fire (). Famous corpse-immortals include Jiaoxiang, Ge Xuan, Bao Qian, Wu Meng, Li Shaojun,