Malacca: 8 Immortals Wood Carvings

Han Xiang Zi guards the southeast and his elements is wood. He is considered the five phases of energy and is the Master of Heaven. His robes are decorated with sacred knots that combine the energies of Yin and Yang. He carries a bouquet of flowers and a flute and he likes to plays the 6 healing sounds. Legend goes that when he was young during the Tang Dynasty, he enjoy nature and that was when he encountered one of the 8 Immortals.

Han Zhong Li guards the east, and wood is his element. Being a bearded figure, his hair is curly and coiled on the sides of his head. He holds a fan, and he often visits the Earth as a messenger for the God of Heaven. He appears riding a mystical animal, scared to Taoists and he signifies longevity. He is believed to have the ability to bring good sons to your family. During the Han Dynasty, Han Zhong Li was born and he did not stop crying for 7 full days after birth. Bright beams of light filled the labour space during his birth.

Chao Guo Jiu comes from northeast and his element is earth. He likes to hold castanets, and he uses a soothing tool to help meditation. He rides an animal of Chinese luck, which helps him to reveal the secrets of the Tao and of immorality. The Chinese believes that he is living on the earth, and having his likeness in your home attract his presence. He is considered a protector and an ally for those in need of his help in studies. A kin of the imperial family of the Song Dynasty, the other Immortal, Lee Dong Bin taught him to reach perfection.

Zhang Guo Lao guards the north direction, and water is his element. Guo Lao holds a tube containing pheonix feathers, which he uses to divine the future. His image is often placed in the bedrooms of couple hoping to have children. He is a real historical figure and his last name, 'Lao' means old in Chinese.

Lee Tie Guai appears in the south and his element is fire. Dressed as a street beggar, he had an iron crutch and he carries magical stuffs. With a gourd, he can make medicine and as a benevolent saint, he helps the poor. He visited Earth when needed and he travel back to Heaven in the form of a dragon. He has a dog which follow him wherever he goes.

He Xian Gu take care at the southwest and her element is earth. Taoists believe that she is still living and she is more than 1000 years of age. When at 14, she was given a peach of Immortality and now she holds a lotus flower that has immense power and purity. Riding a deer, she helps the desperates and provide luck to marriages.

Lee Dong Bin guards the west direction, and the element metal is with him. He carries a double-edged magic demon-slaying sword at his back, given to him by a dragon. The sword makes him invisible to the spirits and he reject evils from home. He was a scholar.

The 8 Immortals wood carvings can be seen at the Cheng Hoon Teng Temple located along the Street of Harmony in Malacca. Built in 1673, Cheng Hoon Teng Temple's has got 338 years of old stories and legends to be discovered. Every inch of its structures has got a story behind.

Welcome to Cheng Hoon Teng, the Temple of the Green Cloud