CHAPTER XI
The Eight Immortals
Pa Hsien
Either singly or in groups the Eight Immortals, Pa Hsien, of the Taoist religion are one of the most popular subjects of representation in China; their portraits are to be seen everywhere—on porcelain vases, teapots, teacups, fans, scrolls, embroidery, etc. Images of them are made in porcelain, earthenware, roots, wood, metals. The term 'Eight Immortals' is figuratively used for happiness. The number eight has become lucky in association with this tradition, and persons or things eight in number are graced accordingly. Thus we read of reverence shown to the 'Eight Genii Table' ( Pa Hsien Cho), the 'Eight Genii Bridge' ( Pa Hsien Ch'iao), 'Eight Genii Vermicelli' ( Pa Hsien Mien), the 'Eight Genii of the Wine-cup' ( Tin Chung Pa Hsien)—wine-bibbers
