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| − | '''Li Tieguai''' was an actual figure from Taoist mythology. Some records say that he was born in the Yuan Dynasty (1279 - 1378 C.E.), but popular tradition holds that he was a disciple of the founder of Taoism, Lao Tzu, which would put him in the 500s B.C.E., and make him the most ancient of the Immortals. He is sometimes considered the leader of the Immortals. As he studied with Lao Tzu, his spirit had to ascend into heavan. Li told his apprentice that if he spirit was not back in seven days, then cremate the body. However, the apprentice had to leave early, so he cremated the body at six and a half days. When Li's spirit returned, it had to enter the body of a beggar who had died moments before. Lao Tzu appeared, and gave him a gourd that could cure all sickness, but Li's new body remained maimed despite the gourd, and had to walk with a magical Iron Crutch that would never rust or break. He is the symbol of medicine, and is always shown with his gourd. |
+ | '''Li Tieguai''' was an actual [[Immortals|figure]] from Taoist mythology. Some records say that he was born in the Yuan Dynasty (1279 - 1378 C.E.), but popular tradition holds that he was a disciple of the founder of Taoism, Lao Tzu, which would put him in the 500s B.C.E., and make him the most ancient of the Immortals. He is sometimes considered the leader of the Immortals. As he studied with Lao Tzu, his spirit had to ascend into heavan. Li told his apprentice that if he spirit was not back in seven days, then cremate the body. However, the apprentice had to leave early, so he cremated the body at six and a half days. When Li's spirit returned, it had to enter the body of a beggar who had died moments before. Lao Tzu appeared, and gave him a gourd that could cure all sickness, but Li's new body remained maimed despite the gourd, and had to walk with a magical Iron Crutch that would never rust or break. He is the symbol of medicine, and is always shown with his gourd. |
[http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ac/Tieguai_Li.jpg] |
[http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ac/Tieguai_Li.jpg] |
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Revision as of 19:04, 4 June 2012
Li Tieguai was an actual figure from Taoist mythology. Some records say that he was born in the Yuan Dynasty (1279 - 1378 C.E.), but popular tradition holds that he was a disciple of the founder of Taoism, Lao Tzu, which would put him in the 500s B.C.E., and make him the most ancient of the Immortals. He is sometimes considered the leader of the Immortals. As he studied with Lao Tzu, his spirit had to ascend into heavan. Li told his apprentice that if he spirit was not back in seven days, then cremate the body. However, the apprentice had to leave early, so he cremated the body at six and a half days. When Li's spirit returned, it had to enter the body of a beggar who had died moments before. Lao Tzu appeared, and gave him a gourd that could cure all sickness, but Li's new body remained maimed despite the gourd, and had to walk with a magical Iron Crutch that would never rust or break. He is the symbol of medicine, and is always shown with his gourd.