Collected Illustrations of the Three Realms: Volume 11 (Human Figures)

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It is not known where Lan Caihe One of the Eight Immortals of Daoist tradition. Lan is a figure of mystery, often depicted as a gender-fluid or eccentric street performer who represents the joys of a carefree life. came from. They Lan Caihe is famously ambiguous in gender; historical texts vary between describing them as male, female, or neither. This translation uses neutral pronouns to reflect that fluidity. constantly wore a tattered blue robe fastened with a six-studded black wooden belt six-studded black wooden belt: Known as a liukua belt. While such belts with metal or jade studs usually denoted official rank, Lan’s wooden version highlights their eccentric, "outsider" status. that was over three inches wide. On one foot they wore a boot, while the other foot went bare original: 跣足 (xianzu). This asymmetrical dress is a classic iconographic trait of Lan Caihe, symbolizing their existence between two worlds and their disregard for social convention..

In the heat of summer, they would add cotton padding inside their robe, yet in the depths of winter, they would often sleep in the snow; their breath rose from the drifts like steam. Every day, they would go into the city markets to beg for alms, carrying a set of large clappers large clappers: Paiban (拍板), a percussion instrument made of flat wooden slats tied together, used to keep time during songs or recitations. over three feet long.

When drunk, they would perform rhythmic songs rhythmic songs: Tage (踏歌), literally "stomping song," an ancient folk style where the performer sings while stomping their feet to the beat. while walking. Young and old alike would follow to watch the performance. Lan appeared to be mad, yet was not truly mad. The lyrics to their songs were composed spontaneously; though the words seemed simple, they were all filled with the profound meaning of the Immortals original: 神仙 (shenxian). In this context, it refers to the enlightened beings of Daoist philosophy who have transcended the mortal cycle., and no one could fully fathom their depth.

Whenever they received money, they would thread it onto a string and trail it behind them as they walked. They did not care if the coins scattered and were lost. Sometimes they gave the money to the poor, and other times they spent it at wine shops. Lan traveled throughout the world. There were people who had seen Lan when they were children, and yet when those same people grew old and gray-haired, they found that Lan’s face and appearance remained exactly as they had been decades before.

Later, while Lan was drinking in a wine tavern at Hao Liang Hao Liang: An ancient name for an area in modern-day Anhui Province, famously associated with the philosopher Zhuangzi's "Joy of Fish" debate., the sound of flutes and panpipes was suddenly heard. A crane descended, and Lan mounted it to fly upward. They threw down their boot, robe, belt, and clappers, and slowly drifted away into the distance until they vanished.