Baxian

Definition: The Baxian are the legendary "Eight Immortals" ("ba"=eight and "xian"=immortal) of Taoism, and include: Zhong Liquan, Zhang Guolao, Lu Dongbin, Li Tieguai, He Xiangu, Nan Caihe, Han Xiangzi and Chao Guojiu. Theses are legendary/historical figures, whose mythologized life-stories serve to illustrate the qualities the Taoist practitioner strives to cultivate. Though the Baxian are the most well-known of Taoist Immortals, they are by no means the only ones: many other known and unknown beings have and will become Immortals.