The Eight Immortals Cross The Sea (2010 Edition - EPUB)

Book excerpt: Why do the Chinese consider the number "eight" to be a lucky number? For the answer to this question, look no further than the Eight Immortals who are one of the most popular subjects of art and craft in China. The term "Eight Immortals" is used figuratively for happiness. The Chinese regard happiness as one of the most important qualities in life. The stories in this book show how eight ordinary people in ancient China attained immortality and lasting felicity through selfless actions and good deeds. The Eight Immortals also play a significant role in relation to the Bagua, or Eight Trigrams, of the I Ching, the most popular classic of traditional China. Each of them is associated with a certain direction of the Eight Trigrams which is applied in the Bazhen Tu, the Battle Chart of the Eight Trigrams, used by folk Taoists to counter the work of practitioners of black magic. The presentation is made more interesting by the comic illustrations provided by Chan Kok Sing. You will be enthralled by the vivid description of the great battle that shook heaven and earth at the palace of the Dragon King.