Lan Caihe is a Chinese mythological figure, and one of the Eight Immortals in the Taoist pantheon. Presence in the Eight makes this figure one of the more familiar out of hundreds of other Taoist immortals. Lan Caihe is the only one of the Eight Immortals whose gender is ambiguous. Lan is not generally thought to be based on a historical person, but is traditionally said to have been born sometime during the Tang dynasty, and lived as a homeless street entertainer, who wandered all over China, singing philosophical songs. Stories vary about how Lan attained immortality and became one of the Eight Immortals. Lan's emblem is a basket of flowers, and so this immortal is considered the patron of florists and gardeners.
Ming dynasty figurine of Lan Caihe, depicted as a young adult wearing long robes and leaves, and carrying a basket. Circa 1510 CE.
One type of clapper used in Chinese music. Lan Caihe is sometimes pictured holding clappers similar to these.
Emblems in Chinese art. The third row shows the emblems of the Eight Immortals, in which Lan Caihe's basket of flowers appears second from the right.
The Eight Immortals crossing the sea in a raft. Lan Caihe is the childlike person in the middle, wearing a collar of leaves, and looking into a basket of fruit or dumplings.
The Eight Immortals are a group of legendary xian (immortals) in Chinese mythology. Each immortal's power can be transferred to a vessel (法器) that can bestow life or destroy evil. Together, these eight vessels are called the "Covert Eight Immortals" (暗八仙). Most of them are said to have been born in the Tang or Song Dynasty. They are revered by the Taoists and are also a popular element in secular Chinese culture. They are said to live on a group of five islands in the Bohai Sea, which includes Mount Penglai.
Gathering of Yaochi (Eight) Immortals (瑤池仙劇圖), by Zhang Chong, Ming dynasty (British Museum)
The Eight Immortals (Walters Art Museum)
The Eight Immortals crossing the sea, from Myths and Legends of China. Clockwise in the boat starting from the stern: He Xian'gu, Han Xiang Zi, Lan Caihe, Li Tieguai, Lü Dongbin, Zhongli Quan, Cao Guojiu and outside the boat is Zhang Guo Lao.
Statue of the Eight Immortals in Penglai City, Shandong
