The Collected Illustrations of the Three Realms

Portraits, Volume 11

Page 2


Lei Ben	Zhang Boduan	Erzhu Dong	Chen Nan	Ma Yu
Ma Xiang	Li the Snotty	Ge Changgeng	Mo Yueding	Zhang Sanfeng

This list serves as an index for the biographies and portraits that follow in the text. These individuals represent the transition from legendary "transcendents" to the founders of actual religious lineages in the Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties:

Lei Ben: A Taoist figure often associated with the "Thunder Department" of the celestial hierarchy or specific local religious rites.
Zhang Boduan: original: "張栢端" A pivotal 11th-century scholar and alchemist who founded the Southern Lineage of the "Complete Perfection" (QuanzhenA major branch of Taoism that emphasizes internal alchemy and the unification of the "Three Teachings": Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism.) school.
Erzhu Dong: A legendary figure from the Five Dynasties period, said to have achieved immortality through the refinement of cinnabar.
Chen Nan: A Southern Song dynasty master of "Thunder Rites" and internal alchemy, known for his humble profession as a mud-brick maker.
Ma Yu: original: "馬鈺" Also known as Ma Danyang, he was the primary disciple of Wang Chongyang and the first leader of the Quanzhen school after his master's death.
Ma Xiang: A Tang dynasty eccentric known for his supernatural abilities, such as making flowers bloom instantly or turning water into wine.
Li the Snotty: original: "李鼻涕" (Li Biti) A nickname for the eccentric immortal Li Zhe. In Taoist hagiography, "dirty" or "uncouth" appearances often hide a person's profound spiritual purity and rejection of worldly vanity.
Ge Changgeng: Better known by his Taoist name, Bai Yuchan (White Jade Toad). He was a brilliant poet, calligrapher, and the most famous leader of the Southern Lineage of Taoism.
Mo Yueding: A Yuan dynasty master of the "Five Thunders" magic, who was reportedly summoned by the Emperor to bring rain during droughts.
Zhang Sanfeng: Perhaps the most famous name on this list to modern readers; a semi-mythical Taoist monk of the Wudang Mountains who is traditionally credited with the creation of Taiji QuanA Chinese internal martial art practiced for both its defense training and its health benefits. (Tai Chi).