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| All website contents are copyright of Flying Empress Kites Ltd., 2005 |
| Lán Căihé |
Lan Caihe was born in the late Tang Dynasty (618 to 907
A.D.), and appears to have been a real historical figure.
All the stories about him agree that he used to be fond
drinking, although Lan Caihe has been represented as
both male and female.
Lan Caihe would sing to beg for money or food, beating
out a rhythm with his feet and a pair of clappers. He was
at times a hermit, wearing a warm cotton-padded jacket in
summer, and sleeping on the snow during the winter. When he lay on snow, his breath was
as hot as steam, and that those who had seen him in childhood said he looked no older when
they saw him again as adults.
It is said that he was shown the way of Taoism by Han Zhongli, another of the Eight Taoist
Immortals. Lan Caihe met him while he was drinking in a wine shop, and followed him to a
bridge spanning a roaring river. Han Zhongli was disguised as an old man, and asked Lan
Caihe to throw himself into the river. Following this initiation, he became a student of Han
Zhongli’s until he achieved immortality.
A.D.), and appears to have been a real historical figure.
All the stories about him agree that he used to be fond
drinking, although Lan Caihe has been represented as
both male and female.
Lan Caihe would sing to beg for money or food, beating
out a rhythm with his feet and a pair of clappers. He was
at times a hermit, wearing a warm cotton-padded jacket in
summer, and sleeping on the snow during the winter. When he lay on snow, his breath was
as hot as steam, and that those who had seen him in childhood said he looked no older when
they saw him again as adults.
It is said that he was shown the way of Taoism by Han Zhongli, another of the Eight Taoist
Immortals. Lan Caihe met him while he was drinking in a wine shop, and followed him to a
bridge spanning a roaring river. Han Zhongli was disguised as an old man, and asked Lan
Caihe to throw himself into the river. Following this initiation, he became a student of Han
Zhongli’s until he achieved immortality.
| Flying Empress Kites Ltd |