Digital museum showcasing the collection of worldwide legends over the years! 千古不朽博物館展示多年來收藏的世界傳奇故事！
Qing Dynasty, Eight Immortals
Li TieguaiCharm
Item number: A119
Year: Qing Dynasty, AD 1636-1911
Material: Copper
Size: 37.5 x 37.5 mm
Weight: 10.31 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 Li Tieguai, one of the Eight Immortals in Chinese mythology.
On the obverse of the coin is the inscription in regular script, honouring the immortal as “Li Tieguai Xian.” The reverse side depicts the immortal’s image and his attribute: on the right side of the coin, Li Tieguai is shown with his crutch, while on the left side, his gourd, which is his 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, Li Tieguai is often depicted as a hunchbacked beggar with a crutch and a gourd, known for his frequent aid to the poor, sick, and suffering, representing the “lowly” among the eight social statuses.
According to legend, Li Tieguai achieved enlightenment at a young age. One day, he intended to leave his body with the “out-of-body experience” for an appointment, so he made an agreement with his disciple that if he did not revive within seven days, his body would be cremated. However, his disciple returned home to visit his critically ill mother and mistakenly cremated Li Tieguai’s physical body on the sixth day. Upon his return, Li Tieguai found himself without a body, and his soul nowhere to reside. Consequently, he borrowed the body of a beggar to return to the world and continue his benevolent deeds, thus becoming the well-known image of Li Tieguai, continuing his path to help others.
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.
