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
Lan CaiheCharm
Item number: A126
Year: Qing Dynasty, AD 1636-1911
Material: Copper
Size: 33.36 x 33.48 mm
Weight: 8.7 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 Lan Caihe, one of the Eight Immortals in Chinese mythology.
On the obverse of the coin is the inscription in regular script, honouring the immortal as “Lan Caihe.” The reverse side depicts the immortal’s image and his magical tool: on the right side of the coin, Lan Caihe is shown, while on the left side, his basket full of botanicals, 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, Lan Caihe is the most enigmatic figure among the Eight Immortals, with both gender and age being uncertain. Lan is typically depicted as a youthful male with feminine features, holding a basket filled with various flowers and plants, encompassing a wide range of species. He represents the “poverty” archetype among the Eight Immortals, each of whom embodies a different status and identity.
According to legend, Lan Caihe was a street performer during the Tang Dynasty. He often begged on the streets, giving the money he collected to the poor or spending it on drinking and making merry in taverns. His eccentric personality sometimes led people to view him as a mad beggar. However, because of his kind heart and acts of helping others, it is said that one day, in front of a tavern, he was enlightened and ascended to immortality, departing on a crane.
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.
