Accession Number
1989/2.132

Title
Hanging Cash: Two Immortals Lü Dongbin and Han Xiangzi

Artist(s)
Chinese

Artist Nationality
Chinese (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
20th century

Medium & Support
woodblock print on paper

Dimensions
21 1/4 in x 11 5/8 in (54 cm x 29.5 cm);22 1/2 in x 12 7/8 in (57.2 cm x 32.7 cm);21 1/4 in x 11 5/8 in (54 cm x 29.5 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Willard A. and Marybelle B. Hanna

Subject matter
The left figure is Han Xiangzi and the right figure is Lu Dongbin. They are two out of the Eight Immortals (Ba Xian). Lu Dongbin (right) is one of the most well known Immortals. It is said that when he was born, the room was instantly filled with a wonderful scent. He was an intelligent scholar known for elevating others' spiritual growth. However, he was also a womanizer and was susceptible to drunkenness. Han Xiangzi was his pupil, and is often depicted holding a Chinese flute, the dizi. He was known as a righteous gentleman and a talented musician. They were the only two immortals who had skills in fengshui. The clouds symbolize the celestial realm, since they were created between heaven and earth. 

Physical Description
A figure dressed in a purple robe is playing the flute and another figure dressed to the right is in a yellow robe, wearing a headdress, and holding a fly whisk. They appear to be floating in the clouds. This image seems to be on top of a red paper cutout. 

Primary Object Classification
Print

Primary Object Type
color print

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
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Keywords
Taoism
fengshui
immortals
musicians
scholars