Systematic Discussion on the Legend of the Eight Immortals - Construction and Evolution of the Religious Mythology of Neidanism

Author: Wu Guangzheng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-08-01
Features: The author of this book has conducted an exhaustive review of the Ba Xian materials, systematically organizing and analyzing the origins and evolution of thirteen stories such as "Ba Xian Guo Hai" (The Eight Immortals Cross the Sea), "Ba Xian Qing Shou" (The Eight Immortals Celebrate Their Birthday), "Lü Dongbin Plays with White Peony," and "Snow Blocks the Blue Pass." This research expands the connotation and extension of mythology, approaching it from the combined perspectives of religious history, literary history, and cultural history. It points out that the origin of the Ba Xian legends dates back to the Southern Song and Jin dynasties, and that the Ba Xian tales are mythological-literary reflections of the religious concepts, practices, and rituals of internal alchemy. As the religious context faded, these legends permeated various aspects of Chinese art, culture, and popular life. On this basis, the author also attempts to reflect on existing paradigms in cultural studies and literary history narratives, proposing some unique insights.