The Eight Immortals have different origins and different times. Zhang Guo, who was good at Taoism in the early Tang Dynasty, was first seen in Historical Records. In the Five Dynasties and the early Song Dynasty, fairy tales about Lv Dongbin were very popular, echoing the spread of Taoist inner alchemy, and the "Golden Ludan Road" was widely spread in the Song Dynasty. Quanzhen religion rose in the Jin and Yuan Dynasties. In order to respond to folk beliefs and legends and publicize their teaching methods, Zhong Liquan and Lv Dongbin were promoted to the five northern ancestors.
Folklore, dramatic dialogue, etc. Interacting with Taoist immortals, the story of the Eight Immortals is widely spread and rich in content. Lv Dongbin is the core figure in the formation of the Eight Immortals, which Taoism calls Lv Zu, and Taoist temples everywhere, especially Quanzhen Taoist temple, offer sacrifices endlessly. The deeds of the Eight Immortals are mostly scattered in Tang and Song classics, but they have not yet formed the "Eight Immortals" group. It was in the zaju created by Yuan people that the Eight Immortals got together, but with different names and different families.
Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea
The Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea is one of the most popular stories of the Eight Immortals. It was first seen in the drama Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea and Jade Board. According to legend, when the peony was in full bloom, the fairy of Baiyun grew up in Penglai Xiandao and invited the Eight Immortals and the Five Saints to attend the grand event. On the return trip, Tie Guai Li (or Lv Dongbin) suggested that they should find their own way instead of taking a boat. This is the origin of "Eight Immortals crossing the sea, each showing his magical powers".
According to folklore, Han Zhongli dropped his iron crutch (or gourd), threw a banana fan, and Zhang put down his mount "paper donkey". Other immortals also threw their crutches into the water and crossed the East China Sea. Because of the actions of the Eight Immortals, the Dragon King of the East China Sea led the Xiabing Xiejiang to theorize, but there was a conflict, and Lan Caihe was taken back to the Dragon Palace (also known as robbing artifacts). After that, the Eight Immortals killed the dragon in a fit of pique, and Donghai.
At this time, Cao Guojiu took out the jade board to clear the way and forced the huge waves to both sides, successfully crossing the sea. Finally, the Guanyin Bodhisattva in the South China Sea (or Tathagata) intervened and asked the Dragon King in the East China Sea to release Lan Caihe. The two sides stopped fighting.