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Li Babai
Li Babai (李八百, "Li Eight-Hundred") was the sobriquet of a Daoist elixir-master and ''xian'' ("transcendent; 'immortal'") who supposedly lived more than 800 years. The founder of the Way of the Li Family school of religious Daoism, Li A (李阿, fl. 229–259 CE) or ''Babaisui gong'' (八百歲公, "Sir Eight-Hundred-Years-Old") is associated with Li Babai. Two unscrupulous Daoist adepts surnamed Li exploited the pseudonym Li Babai. Li Kuan (李寬, fl. early 4th century) was a charlatan faith healer and who died from the plague, and Li Tuo (李脫) was a sorcerer who was executed in 324 for plotting a revolt against the Jin dynasty. Names The Chinese name Lǐ Bābǎi combines the common surname ''Lǐ'' ( 李, lit. "plum, ''Prunus salicina''") and the ''hao'' (號, "pseudonym, sobriquet, nickname given to oneself") ''Babai'' (八百, "eight hundred, 800"). "Eight hundred years old" is a Literary Chinese trope for the lifespan of a Daoist ''xian'' transcendent. The '' Ba ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hong Zicheng
Hong Zicheng (, ) was a Chinese philosopher who lived during the end of the Ming dynasty. Zicheng (自誠) was Hong's ''zi'' (字, 'courtesy name'); his given name was Hong Yingming (Hung Ying-ming, 洪應明), and his ''hao'' (號, 'pseudonym') was Huanchu Daoren (Huan-ch'u Tao-jen, 還初道人, 'Daoist Adept who Returns to the Origin'). Hong Zicheng wrote the ''Caigentan'', the ''Xianfo qizong'', and several no-longer extant books. The '' Caigentan'' (菜根譚, 'Vegetable Roots Discourse') is an eclectic compilation of philosophical aphorisms that combine elements from Confucianism, Daoism, and Chan Buddhism. The 1602 ''Xianfo qizong'' (仙佛奇蹤, 'Marvelous Traces of Transcendents and Buddhas') contains legends about Daoist and Buddhist masters. The Qing dynasty catalog to the '' Siku Quanshu'' summarizes the ''Xianfo qizong'': Hong is a historically enigmatic figure. "Nothing is known about his life and career", write Goodrich and Fang (1976:678), except that he was a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Literary Chinese
Classical Chinese, also known as Literary Chinese (古文 ''gǔwén'' "ancient text", or 文言 ''wényán'' "text speak", meaning "literary language/speech"; modern vernacular: 文言文 ''wényánwén'' "text speak text", meaning "literary language writing"), is the language of the classic literature from the end of the Spring and Autumn period through to the either the start of the Qin dynasty or the end of the Han dynasty, a written form of Old Chinese (上古漢語, ''Shànɡɡǔ Hànyǔ''). Classical Chinese is a traditional style of written Chinese that evolved from the classical language, making it different from any modern spoken form of Chinese. Literary Chinese was used for almost all formal writing in China until the early 20th century, and also, during various periods, in Japan, Ryukyu, Korea and Vietnam. Among Chinese speakers, Literary Chinese has been largely replaced by written vernacular Chinese, a style of writing that is similar to modern spoken Mandarin ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Chinese Personal Names
Chinese names or Chinese personal names are names used by individuals from Greater China and other parts of the Chinese-speaking world throughout East and Southeast Asia (ESEA). In addition, many names used in Japan, Korea and Vietnam are often ancient adaptations of Chinese characters (from Kanji, Hancha, and Chữ Hán respectively) in respect to the influences they have garnered geographically or have historical roots in Chinese, due to China's historic cultural influence in ESEA. Modern Chinese names consist of a monosymbolic (single-symbol) surname (''xìngshì''; ), which comes first, followed by a given name (''míng''; ), which is almost always disyllabic, consisting of two characters. Prior to the 21st century, most educated Chinese men also used a "courtesy name" or "style name" (''zì''; ) by which they were known among those outside their family and closest friends. Respected artists or poets will sometimes also use a professional "art name" (''hào''; ) among their ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Laozi
Laozi (), also known by numerous other names, was a semilegendary ancient Chinese Taoist philosopher. Laozi ( zh, ) is a Chinese honorific, generally translated as "the Old Master". Traditional accounts say he was born as in the state State may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Literature * ''State Magazine'', a monthly magazine published by the U.S. Department of State * ''The State'' (newspaper), a daily newspaper in Columbia, South Carolina, United States * ''Our S ... of Chu in the 6th centuryBC during China's Spring and Autumn Period, served as the royal archives, archivist for the Zhou dynasty, Zhou court at Wangcheng (Zhou dynasty), Wangcheng (modern Luoyang), met and impressed Confucius on one occasion, and composed the ''Tao Te Ching'' before retiring into the western wilderness. Chinese folk religion considers he then became an Taoist immortal, immortal hermit or Laojun, a god of the celestial bureaucracy under the name Laojun, one of the Three Pure O ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Li Rong (philosopher)
Li Rong (; fl. 658–663) was a Chinese philosopher from the Tang dynasty. He compiled a commentary on the Taoist book ''Tao Te Ching The ''Tao Te Ching'' (, ; ) is a Chinese classic text written around 400 BC and traditionally credited to the sage Laozi, though the text's authorship, date of composition and date of compilation are debated. The oldest excavated portion d ...'', called the ''Laozi Commentary by Li Rong'' (). References * Tang dynasty Taoists Year of death unknown Year of birth unknown {{China-academic-bio-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Li Chunfeng
Li Chunfeng (; 602–670) was a Chinese mathematician, astronomer, historian, and politician who was born in today's Baoji, Shaanxi, during the Sui and Tang dynasties. He was first appointed to the Imperial Astronomy Bureau to help institute a calendar reform. He eventually ascended to deputy of the Imperial Astronomy Bureau and designed the Linde calendar. His father was an educated state official and also a Taoist. Li died in Chang'an in 670. Background and career The Sui dynasty was integral for uniting China, so it was a good time for learning. But when Li was sixteen the Sui fell, and the Tang rose. Nevertheless, the Tang did not harm the conditions for education. Indeed, it rather strengthened it. The Imperial Academy's math teaching was formalized. He was appointed into the Imperial Astronomy Bureau as an advanced court astronomer and historian, in 627. Once several years had passed, he then was promoted to deputy director of the Imperial Astronomy Bureau in 641, and even d ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Li Shaojun
Li Shaojun ({{zh, c=李少君, w=Li Shao-chün, fl. 133 BCE) was a ''fangshi'' (master of esoterica), reputed ''xian'' (transcendent; immortal), retainer of Emperor Wu of Han, and the earliest known Chinese alchemist. In the early history of Chinese ''waidan'' (External Alchemy), Li is the only ''fangshi'' whose role is documented by both historical (for instance, ''Shiji'') and alchemical (''Baopuzi'') sources. Shiji The earliest record of Li Shaojun was contemporaneously written during the reign of his patron Emperor Wu (141-87 BCE): Sima Qian's c. 94 BCE ''Shiji'' (Records of the Historian) has nearly identical versions in the "Annals of Emperor Wu" (chapter 6) and "The Treatise on the Feng and Shan Sacrifices" (28, tr. Watson 1961: 3-52). In addition, the c. 111 CE ''Hanshu'' "Book of Han" (25A) has a "closely parallel" version (Campany 2006: 325). The ''Shiji'' chronicles Li Shaojun as part of a lengthy debate on whether and how Emperor Wu should perform the ''Feng'' (封) ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Fangshi
''Fangshi'' () were Chinese technical specialists who flourished from the third century BCE to the fifth century CE. English translations of ''fangshi'' include alchemist, astrologer, diviner, exorcist, geomancer, doctor, magician, monk, mystic, necromancer, occultist, omenologist, physician, physiognomist, technician, technologist, thaumaturge, and wizard. Word The Chinese word ''fangshi'' combines ''fang'' "direction; side; locality; place; region; formula; (medical) prescription; recipe; method; way" and ''shi'' "scholar; intelligentsia; gentleman; officer; yeoman; soldier; person trained in a certain field". Many English-language texts transliterate this word as ''fangshi'' (older texts use ''fangshih''), but some literally translate it. *"gentlemen possessing magical recipes" *"recipe gentlemen" *"masters of recipes" *"'direction-scholar', that is, one versed in interpreting omens from their orientation" [from ''fengjiao'' "wind angle" divination below] *"Esote ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Methuselah
Methuselah () ( he, מְתוּשֶׁלַח ''Məṯūšélaḥ'', in pausa ''Məṯūšālaḥ'', "His death shall send" or "Man of the javelin" or "Death of Sword"; gr, Μαθουσάλας ''Mathousalas'') was a biblical patriarch and a figure in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. He had the longest lifespan of all those given in the Bible, dying at the age of 969. According to the Book of Genesis, Methuselah was the son of Enoch, the father of Lamech, and the grandfather of Noah. Elsewhere in the Bible, Methuselah is mentioned in genealogies in 1 Chronicles and the Gospel of Luke. His life is described in further detail in extra-biblical religious texts such as the Book of Enoch, Slavonic Enoch, and the Book of Moses. Bible commentators have offered various explanations as to why the Book of Genesis describes him as having died at such an advanced age; some believe that Methuselah's age is the result of a mistranslation, while others believe that his age is used to giv ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Noah
Noah ''Nukh''; am, ኖህ, ''Noḥ''; ar, نُوح '; grc, Νῶε ''Nôe'' () is the tenth and last of the pre-Flood patriarchs in the traditions of Abrahamic religions. His story appears in the Hebrew Bible (Book of Genesis, chapters 5–9), the Quran and Baha'i writings. Noah is referenced in various other books of the Bible, including the New Testament, and in associated deuterocanonical books. The Genesis flood narrative is among the best-known stories of the Bible. In this account, Noah labored faithfully to build the Ark at God's command, ultimately saving not only his own family, but mankind itself and all land animals, from extinction during the Flood. Afterwards, God made a covenant with Noah and promised never again to destroy all the Earth's creatures with a flood. Noah is also portrayed as a "tiller of the soil" and as a drinker of wine. Biblical narrative Tenth and final of the pre-Flood (antediluvian) Patriarchs, son to Lamech and an unnamed mother, Noa ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Longevity Myths
Longevity myths are traditions about long-lived people (generally supercentenarians), either as individuals or groups of people, and practices that have been believed to confer longevity, but for which current scientific evidence does not support the ages claimed or the reasons for the claims. While literal interpretations of such myths may appear to indicate extraordinarily long lifespans, many scholars believe such figures may be the result of incorrect translation of numbering systems through various languages coupled with the cultural and/or symbolic significance of certain numbers. The phrase "longevity tradition" may include "purifications, rituals, longevity practices, meditations, and alchemy" that have been believed to confer greater human longevity, especially in Chinese Culture. Modern science indicates various ways in which genetics, diet, and lifestyle affect human longevity. It also allows us to determine the age of human remains with a fair degree of precision. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Longevity Myths
Longevity myths are traditions about long-lived people (generally supercentenarians), either as individuals or groups of people, and practices that have been believed to confer longevity, but for which current scientific evidence does not support the ages claimed or the reasons for the claims. While literal interpretations of such myths may appear to indicate extraordinarily long lifespans, many scholars believe such figures may be the result of incorrect translation of numbering systems through various languages coupled with the cultural and/or symbolic significance of certain numbers. The phrase "longevity tradition" may include "purifications, rituals, longevity practices, meditations, and alchemy" that have been believed to confer greater human longevity, especially in Chinese Culture. Modern science indicates various ways in which genetics, diet, and lifestyle affect human longevity. It also allows us to determine the age of human remains with a fair degree of precision. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
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