In “A Drunken Sleep”,
Du Mu,
a dreamy, … sybaritic
Tang Dynasty poet writes,
Amidst the autumn rain …
the wine is well made.
And as the cold house sits
’round falling leaves,
The hermit spends much time asleep.
But he pours and drains yet
another cup of wine.
Poetry, Literature and Wine
While it is certainly true that alcohol may ultimately dull the senses ….
it is interesting to consider the number of sprightly young poets who have described remarkable episodes of drunken debauchery.
Li Bai, the highly esteemed Tang Dynasty poet is renowned for his brilliant poetry as well as his tendency to quench his thirst. His magnificent poetry is known for its remarkable emotion …. and his ability to stoke a fire and float downstream.
Su Dongpo, another legendary poet drank his wine and saw a mirror in the sky.
And ….
Tao Qian, a melancholy homesick poet … returned to plough his fields … only to drink his fill.
Introducing the Eight Drunken Immortals
Like these fabulous poets … the “Eight Immortals” …. sometimes referred to as the “Eight Drunken Immortals” are a very important part of Chinese history and culture.
They include Zhongli Quan, the leader of the group who in addition to his own ability to achieve immortality had the ability to raise the dead.
Upon his birth it is said that bright rays of light filled the room as the newborn infant cried for seven days.
Zhongli Quan is now called ” the master of the sun” as he came to realize the true value of short-lived glory and fame.
Lu Yan, the real leader of the group had what was subsequently called the ” yellow millet dream”.
As he slept in a hotel as millet was cooking on a stove, he dreamt that he had passed the imperial exam with flying colors.
He was awarded a prestigious position and married a beautiful woman from a wealthy family.
His good fortune was however soon followed by tragedy. His success was cut short by jealousy.
He was accused of crimes that caused him to lose his position.
His wife soon left him and his children were killed by thieves.
Ultimately he lost all of his possessions.
Dying on the street he woke up.
He is often called the ” pure master of the sun” as he counseled Zhongli Quan about the pitfalls of temporary fortune and fame.
He Xiangu the only female member of the group achieved immortality like all the others.
As the daughter of a government official she was born with six long hairs growing upon the crown of her head.
As a teenager a spirit appeared to her instructing her to eat some powdered minerals so that she might someday become immune from death.
And as a sprightly incarnate … she rose at dawn and climbed a nearby mountain to bring her appreciative mother a daily allowance of luscious fruit.
Gradually He Xiangu gave up ordinary food and ascended to heaven.
Iron Crutch Li also referred to as Li Yuan was born during the Western Zhou Dynasty.
Described as an ugly old man with a dirty face, shabby beard and rumpled dress it is said that before becoming an immortal he was once a handsome young man.
However one day he traveled to heaven to meet with the other immortals.
He told one of his students to wait for seven days for his spirit to return. After six days however the student had to leave to care for his ailing mother. But before leaving he cremated Lu Yuan’s body.
Upon returning to earth Li Yuan was forced to enter the only body left available to him.
It was the body of a homeless beggar who had died for dearth of food.
With big hollow eyes, a dirty face and a gimpy leg, Iron Crutch Li became one of the most memorable characters in Chinese literature.
But upon using a strange brew to bring his students’ mother back to life he can now make himself so small he can even sleep inside a tiny gourd.
Lan Caihe could be called the enigmatic immortal.
The legendary Lan has been depicted as a young boy, a girl and even an old man.
Some people have called him a hermaphrodite.
Often seen carrying a bamboo basket full of flowers, he walks with one foot bare and the other with a shoe.
In winter he wears few clothes and in summer he dresses for winter.
Elder Zhang Guo was a brilliant alchemist who also lived during the Tang Dynasty.
He is renowned for his extensive travels and claims to be hundreds of years old.
As a formidable magician he loves wine-making.
He also enjoys making various elixirs to share with the other immortals.
As a master of “qigong” he can go for days without food, sipping only a few drops of wine.
Jerky, erratic kung-fu moves are now performed in his honor.
They include a kick during a back-flip, and a back-bend that allows the shoulders to touch the ground.
Han Xiang, sometimes referred to as “Philosopher Han Xiang” was also born in the Tang Dynasty.
As a genuine follower of Taoist principles Han purportedly engaged in a heated debate with Han Yu, an esteemed Tang Dynasty official.
Han Yu attempted to convince Han Xiang to adopt a Confucian philosophy and drop his Taoist beliefs.
Han Xiang however remained true.
He demonstrated the power of Taoism by pouring countless cups of wine from a small bottomless gourd.
Cao Guojiu sometimes called “Royal Uncle Cao” has been considered a longstanding force for good.
Purportedly the uncle of an emperor of the Song Dynasty, Cao Guojia’s younger brother was a domineering tyrant who used his political connections to intimidate the people who surrounded him.
Cao Guojia by contrast was described as a paragon of virtue who chided his younger brother for his wicked wanton ways.
Gerald Marchewka is an American freelance writer currently living in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. He may be reached at geraldmarchewka@yahoo.com
Author: Gerald Marchewka
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Canada duty tariff
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