Li Tieguai. Li Tieguai is a Chinese mythological figure and one of the Eight Immortals in the Taoist pantheon.
He is sometimes described as irascible and ill-tempered, but also benevolent to the poor, sick and the needy, whose suffering he alleviates with special medicine from his gourd. He is often portrayed as an ugly old man with dirty face, scraggy beard, and messy hair held by a golden band.
He walks with the aid of an iron crutch and often has a gourd slung over his shoulder or held in his hand. He often is depicted as a clown figure who descends to earth in the form of a beggar who uses his power to fight for the oppressed and needy.
The legend says that Li was born in the Yuan dynasty, and was originally named Li Xuan. However, in folklore, he is depicted as Laozi's apprentice, hence he should have lived in the sixth century BC. The Eight Immortals became immortals by means of practising Taoist magical arts.
According to the myth, they lived on an island paradise, Mount Penglai in eastern China, which only they could traverse due to the weak water which would not support ships. Among the Eight Immortals, Li Tieguai was one of the more popular, and was depicted as a man leaning on a crutch and holding a gourd. Some say that in the myth the gourd had spirals of smoke ascend from it, denoting his power of setting his spirit free from his body. Others say that the gourd was full of med
He is sometimes described as irascible and ill-tempered, but also benevolent to the poor, sick and the needy, whose suffering he alleviates with special medicine from his gourd. He is often portrayed as an ugly old man with dirty face, scraggy beard, and messy hair held by a golden band.
He walks with the aid of an iron crutch and often has a gourd slung over his shoulder or held in his hand. He often is depicted as a clown figure who descends to earth in the form of a beggar who uses his power to fight for the oppressed and needy.
The legend says that Li was born in the Yuan dynasty, and was originally named Li Xuan. However, in folklore, he is depicted as Laozi's apprentice, hence he should have lived in the sixth century BC. The Eight Immortals became immortals by means of practising Taoist magical arts.
According to the myth, they lived on an island paradise, Mount Penglai in eastern China, which only they could traverse due to the weak water which would not support ships. Among the Eight Immortals, Li Tieguai was one of the more popular, and was depicted as a man leaning on a crutch and holding a gourd. Some say that in the myth the gourd had spirals of smoke ascend from it, denoting his power of setting his spirit free from his body. Others say that the gourd was full of med
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