Item number: A124

Year: Qing Dynasty, AD 1636-1911

Material: Copper

Size: 33.0 x 33.0 mm

Weight: 11.36 g

Provenance:

1. Noonans 2022

2. D. L. F. Sealy Collection

This token is a part of the Eight Immortals charm series from the Qing Dynasty, featuring the depiction of Han Xiangzi, one of the Eight Immortals in Chinese mythology.

On the obverse of the coin is the inscription in regular script, honouring the immortal as “Han Xiangzi Xian.” The reverse side depicts the immortal’s image and his attribute: on the right side of the coin, Han Xiangzi is shown, while on the left side, his flute, which is his magical tool.

These coins, also known as “charms” or “amulet coins,” were cast for folk, religious, and ritual purposes, rather than for official circulation as currency. Similar types of charms exist in various ancient cultures, produced both officially and privately, featuring diverse and intricate designs. They were used for wearing, collecting, or gifting purposes and were highly valued by people. The production of “charms” in ancient China dates back to the Han Dynasty, reaching its peak during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, with almost every dynasty producing them.

The Eight Immortals are a group of eight legendary immortals in Taoism, each symbolising different social classes and age groups, encompassing “men and women, old and young, rich and poor.” Generally, they are recognised as He Xiangu, Han Xiangzi, Cao Guojiu, Lan Caihe, Zhang Guolao, Li Tieguai, Lü Dongbin, and Zhongli Quan. The origin of the Eight Immortals can be traced back to the Tang and Song Dynasties, but their legendary stories and religious significance were not firmly established until the Ming and Qing Dynasties when they were extensively documented in literature, gradually gaining popularity among the common people. Among them, the story of Han Xiangzi originated in the Tang Dynasty, with some believing he was the nephew of the famous Tang dynasty literary figure Han Yu. Han Xiangzi is often depicted as a dashing Taoist holding a flute, representing the “young” among the eight statuses and positions.

In Taoist legends, Han Xiangzi is portrayed as indifferent to fame and fortune. He became a disciple of Lü Dongbin, one of the Eight Immortals, and practised Taoist arts. It is said that his flute music contained magical powers, capable of making plants grow and altering nature. After receiving enlightenment from Lü Dongbin, Han Xiangzi devoted himself to cultivation and helping others, ultimately achieving transcendence and becoming an immortal.

These charms engraved with the images of the Eight Immortals are considered symbols of auspiciousness and warding off evil. It is believed that placing these coins in the home can change one’s luck and receive blessings. Depending on the placement direction, they are also believed to bring different Feng Shui effects.

物件編號: A124

年代: 清代, 公元 1636-1911 年

材料: 銅

尺寸: 33.0 x 33.0 mm

重量: 11.36 g

來源:

1. 諾南斯 2022

2. 大衛.萊斯利.福布斯.西利舊藏

此枚錢幣為清代時期鑄造的八仙花錢系列中的韓湘子仙花錢。

錢幣的正面以楷書寫有神仙的尊稱「韓湘子仙」，背面則刻有該神仙的形象和屬於自己的法器: 錢幣的右側為韓湘子仙的人像，左側刻著韓湘子的法器笛子。

花錢亦稱厭勝錢，為民俗、宗教信仰與儀式目的而製鑄造的，非屬官方流通作為消費交易的貨幣。在古代的中外各國都有類似此種的花錢，無論是官方鑄造或民間私鑄，其圖紋種類眾多且精緻不一，供佩戴、玩賞、饋贈的用途，都深得人們喜愛。古代中國的「厭勝錢」在兩漢時期就開始鑄造，到明清時期發展到巔峰，幾乎各朝代均有鑄造。

八仙為道教中的八名神仙，分別代表了「男女老少、富貧貴賤」八種不同身分地位的人群，一般而言指的是何仙姑、韓湘子、曹國舅、藍采和、鍾離權、李鐵拐、呂洞賓、張果老八位神仙。八仙的源起可追溯至唐宋時期，但他們的傳說故事和宗教地位一直到明清被作為文學書寫出來才確立，逐漸受民間百姓的喜愛。其中，韓湘子的故事最早源於唐朝，有些人認為他是唐代文家韓愈的姪子。韓湘子的外型常被描繪為一個手持橫笛，風度翩翩的道士，是八種身分地位中「少」的代表。

在道教傳說中，韓湘子淡泊名利，拜八仙之一的呂洞賓為師，修練道法，據傳他的笛聲中含有法力，能使草木生長，萬物發生改變，他得到呂洞賓的點化後，潛心修練、熱心助人，最終得以度化而登仙。

這些刻有八仙形象的花錢被視為吉祥和避邪的象徵，民間相傳，將八仙的花錢放置於家中能改運並受到保佑。根據擺放的不同方位，也會帶來不同的風水效果。