What do you mean by the eight dark immortals?

The eight dark immortals refer to the eight treasures of Taoism. The eight treasures of Taoism are artifacts held by the Eight Immortals, so they are called the Eight Immortals of Darkness. These eight objects are gourd, round fan, fish drum, sword, lotus basket, flute and yin-yang board, which have the same auspicious meaning as the Eight Immortals and represent the spiritual realm pursued by Taoism in China. The Eight Dark Immortals were first seen in Taoist buildings, and later widely used in the decoration of traditional handicrafts.

Characteristics of the eight dark immortals

The treasure held by Tie Guai Li is said to contain elixir of life, which means helping all life and immortality. The treasure left by Han Zhong is said to bring people back to life, which means a long life and a desperate situation. Zhang Zhibao is a fairy device for divination. He can know the past and the future, and can predict life, which means knowing destiny and obeying heaven.

The treasure that Lv Dongbin carries with him can slay and exorcise evil spirits, which means to ward off evil spirits. The treasures held by He Xiangu can cultivate one's morality and keep one's mind clean, and the lotus also means purity. Blue Cai He's treasure, it is said that the flower basket is full of fairy products, which can enlighten the gods. Han Xiangzi's treasures can make everything full of vitality, that is, vitality. The jade board held by Cao Guojiu can purify the environment, make people feel peaceful, and is not disturbed by foreign affairs, which means to calm the mind.

As one of the traditional designs in China, the Eight Immortals and the Eight Dark Immortals both expressed the meaning of good luck and longevity, which were popular in Ming and Qing Dynasties. In addition to traditional furniture, they can also be seen on porcelain, and they are often used in combination with rolling grass patterns and winding patterns.