Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, volume 289

5th International Conference on Education, Language, Art and Inter-cultural Communication (ICELAIC 2018)

Research on the Images of Immortals in Ancient

Xi Zhou
Institute for Non-orthodox Chinese Culture, Sichuan University
Chengdu, China 610065
Hunan University of Chinese Medicine
Changsha, China 410208

Abstract—Attaching importance to detailed account is the Concerning "image", Zhouyi Zhengyi says that "image" is
most remarkable stylistic feature of Immortal Taoism Fu, which "similar to the shape of the thing" 3 . In this interpretation,
is mainly realized by various immortal images. Therefore, in "image" is regarded as a simple description of the external
order to analyze the Immortal Taoism Fu, we shall distinguish form of things. Compared with Zhouyi Zhengyi, Yi · Xici
the immortal related images. The author tries to analyze the covers a broader scope: "image means that another thing is
related images of immortals in ancient Chinese Immortal Taoism like this thing"4. The interpretation of Yi · Xici is aimed at the
Fu from two aspects: immortal image and image groups in image of trigram. The image of trigram is a concrete symbol
Immortal Taoism Fu. This thesis mainly focuses on the two and a set of relatively abstract typed symbols. The image of
typical images, the Yellow Emperor and the Queen Mother, to
trigram is not only a description of things, but also a high
analyze the evolution rules of immortal images, and the
characteristics of image groups in Immortal Taoism Fu.
generalization of the common characteristics of a kind of
things. When people use "the image" of trigram to predict the
Keywords—Immortal Taoism Fu; images; the Yellow Emperor; development of things, the predicted content will exceed Yao
the Queen Mother; Kunlun mythological system meaning corresponding to the image of trigram and the
description of Yao itself. Therefore, in people's concepts, "the
image" of trigram contains more "meaning" than the text. But
I. INTRODUCTION
"the meaning" is derived from “image” and hides behind it, so
When it comes to the stylistic features of Fu, Lu Ji put it in we need to explore the connotation of “imagery” actively
a nutshell: "Fu is a literary style to describe things and express when we read.
emotions with clear thread of ideas and fluent language”1. In
the past dynasties, when describing things, literati liked to use Although "imagery" often has a broad space of meaning,
Fu, because it was a particular good style to describe things. the meaning space of "imagery" must not be constructed
It’s no wonder that Zhi Yu said: “Fu is another wording of casually. Why can't we construct meaning space at will? This
elaboration”2. The words of Zhi Yu are somewhat exaggerated. is inseparable from the characteristics of meaning itself.
But writers adept in writing Fu could use words and phrases in Shuowen Jiezi says: "meaning" means "what the heart thinks.
a sound way. And the images they described were really vivid. It's about the heart. Know the mind through words”5. From Xu
By describing things and list images, Fu writer show world Shen's words, we know that “meaning” of ancients is related
appearance and human relationships in a minute and vivid to their inner feelings. And this inner feeling is expressed
detail. However, in fact, it is difficult to present the whole through "words". In other words, it is showed through
world of writer only by elaborating images. The fundamental language and texts. Therefore, if we want to analyze "the
reason why it is difficult to involve everything with imagery meaning" of the ancients in Immortal Taoism Fu, we shall first
lies in the rules implied in images themselves. What are the explore its text. In addition, among the numerous texts of
implicit rules of imagery? This problem can be explained from Immortal Taoism Fu, it is easy to see that there is a
the relationship between "image" and "meaning" in critical remarkable feature in Immortal Taoism Fu of past dynasties:
interpretation of ancient texts. the text is full of images related to immortals. So, we must
first look at "words" of the text in order to explore "meanings"
of the imagery in ancient Immortal Taoism Fu. Before looking

3
1
Lu Ji, Zhang Shaokang. Collection and Interpretation of Literary Fu, Kong Yingda, Zhouyi Zhengyi, Peking University Press, 2000, P
People's Literature Publishing House, 2002, P 99. 349.
4
2
Yu Yuan and Zhang Minggao, Selected Literary Theories of Wei, Zhou Zhenfu, Annotations to Zhouyi, Zhonghua Book Company,
Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, People's Literature Publishing House, 1987, P 260.
5
1999, P 179. Xu Shen, Shuowen Jiezi, Zhonghua Book Company, 1958, P 350.

Copyright © 2018, the Authors. Published by Atlantis Press.

at "words" in the text, we shall first explore "imagery" related snakes on feet. He was called Yu Xiao. The Emperor Huang
to immortals. gave birth to Yu Xiao and Yu Xiao gave birth to Yu Jing6.
(2) Xici Sanjing: The Queen Mother of the West looked
II. DISCUSSION ON THE EVOLUTION RULES OF IMMORTAL like a human being. But she had a leopard-liked tail and tiger-
IMAGERY IN IMMORTAL TAOISM FU: TAKING THE YELLOW liked teeth. And she was good at roaring. Her hair was
EMPEROR AND THE QUEEN MOTHER AS EXAMPLES disorderly. She was always wearing jade hair accessories. She
The relationship between "image" and "meaning" is reined the fierce spirit in the sky and the spirit of five
analyzed. The author believes that "image" in text and text are punishments7.
the basis for the emergence of all fields of meaning. "Image"
In quotation (1), although the face of the Yellow Emperor
implies "meaning" and calls for the generation of meaning.
is not directly stated, according to the human face and animal
Meanwhile, "image" restricts "meaning" and "meaning" must
body of Yu Xiao, the son of the Yellow Emperor, it is inferred
create the meaning of the text on the premise of respecting the
that the original "image" of the Yellow Emperor was probably
evolution rule of "image". According to this principle, the
half man and half beast. In quotation (2), the original "image"
following attempts to take the Yellow Emperor and the Queen
of the Queen Mother has a leopard-liked tail and tiger-liked
Mother as examples to explore the immortal imagery in
teeth, which is the image of a beast. According to these two
Immortal Taoism Fu.
quotations, we can get a clear message: The Yellow Emperor
With an overall view of Immortal Taoism Fu, writers were and Queen Mother both have prominent alienation
mainly to depict the scenery of ascending to heaven and characteristics. Why do these alienation characteristics occur?
express the feeling of seeking immortality and longevity. In If we discuss it with the theory of personality structure, people
order to fully depict scenery and express feelings, Fu writers were still at the stage of unawakened self-consciousness and
often went to great lengths to list and display various immortal the inner self in the mythological period. People were still in a
imageries. Among many immortal images, the most frequent state of unconsciousness, and focused on satisfying the basic
immortal images appeared to be the Yellow Emperor and the survival needs. So, they observed the world in an imagined
Queen Mother, and they are two typical images in Immortal thinking way, without mature aesthetic view. In such a state of
Taoism Fu. With the images, people will unconsciously form a thinking, they had no ability to distinguish the good from bad.
specific mental direction when read the text. The reason for When they made text narration, they selected information
this psychological orientation is that it is not only related to from memory and put perceptual intuition first and used the
the evolution of the two "images", but also to the hidden impressive information which appeared repeatedly. In the age
"meaning". of mythology, life was attacked by beasts, so people imitated
beasts to bring down the spirit in sacrifices. In reality, various
For thousands of years, China has the legend of the Yellow situations were often related to beasts. Therefore, when
Emperor and the Queen Mother. The two images are not creating the original mythological images such as the Yellow
frozen and unchanged. Imageries in Immortal Taoism Fu are Emperor and the Queen Mother, the ancestors would choose
inherited through the medium of words. Up to now, there are some features of birds, snakes, leopards, tigers and other
rich meanings hidden behind the images of the Yellow animals to create alienated images. If measured by the
Emperor and the Queen Mother. These "meanings" have both aesthetics of the post-mythological era, these two images are
life experience and cultural memory. Life experience is not beautiful at first, even some ugly. But everything that
individual, and cultural memory is collective. As a link of exists has profound meaning. From the beginning of the
memory, the image in the text carries the life experience of the images of The Yellow Emperor and the Queen Mother, it is
predecessors from generation to generation, traveling through not only a simple image record, but also implies rich
time and space, constantly showing the predecessors' emotional experience, carrying common feelings, and hiding
knowledge of all things. Once the recognition of the the common cultural memory of people in the mythological
predecessors is recognized by the present people, the life era. On the one hand, people were afraid of beasts. On the
experience will be deepened and become a consensus across other hand, they feared beasts and were thirsty for their power.
the whole historical period, lasting forever and a common
cultural memory. Cultural memory is not confined to one With the abundance of materials, beasts are no longer a
person, one region and one time. With text (including words, great threat to human survival and development. In people's
pictures, sounds, etc.) as a medium, it retains the traces of his common cultural memory, the information of the horrible
predecessors’ observation of the world. images of the Yellow Emperor and the Queen Mother in the
mythological period is less and less. Moreover, there are
In Immortal Taoism Fu, many images in imagery generations of ideological trends. When new ideological
originated from ancient myths, and so did the "images" of the trends and concepts invade, the old cultural memory becomes
Yellow Emperor and the Queen Mother. more and more inappropriate. Because of the
The images of the Yellow Emperor and Queen Mother in inappropriateness, people began to use some opportunities to
the existing literature were first seen in Shan Hai Jing: change the "images" of mythological characters formed in the
(1) Dahuang Dongjing: There was an immortal on the 6
Yuan Ke, Annotations to Shan Hai Jing, Shanghai Ancient Books
island of the East China Sea. He was of human face but bird Publishing House, 1980, P 350.
body. He wore two yellow snakes on ears and two yellow 7
Yuan Ke, Annotations to Shan Hai Jing, quoted from Preface, P 50.

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mythological period, and these opportunities may be one or to defend himself. The Yellow Emperor's official posts were
several ideological trends, or may be several documents. As named after Yun, and his army was known as the Yun
far as the "image" of the Yellow Emperor is concerned, the Division. He set up the left and right supervisors, and let them
opportunity for its change lies in one document: Sima Qian's supervise states of the princes. At this time, the country was
Historical Records. The opportunity for the change of Queen peaceful and stable. Therefore, since ancient times the Yellow
Mother's "image" is also due to two documents: Biography of Emperor worshiped ghosts and gods the most. The Yellow
Mu Tianzi and Biography of Emperor Wudi of Han Dynasty. Emperor got the precious Ding from heaven, so he observed
the movement of the sun, used the yarrow used in divination to
First of all, analyzes the change of the "image" of the
calculate the calendar, and predicted the solar term. He
Yellow Emperor. In the Spring and Autumn Period, all
appointed Fenghou, Limu, Changxian and Dahong to govern
schools of thoughts contended for attention, and they
the people. The Yellow Emperor conformed to the law of the
integrated with each other after wars in the Warring States
four seasons of heaven and earth, speculated on the changes of
Period. Li Zehou believed that during the Qin and Han
yin and yang, explained the truth of life and death, discussed
Dynasties, the schools were further integrated. Confucianism,
the reasons for survival and death, planted grains, grass and
Taoism, Legalism and Yin & Yang became the four major
trees according to the season, domesticated birds, animals,
ideological trends for the construction of new ideologies in the
silkworms, observed the sun, moon and stars to determine the
Qin and Han Dynasties. Among them, Confucianism was
calendar, collected soil, stone, gold and jade for civilian use.
increasingly taking the initiative to absorb and influence other
His body and mind suffered hard work, and used water, fire
schools8. Following the founder of Confucianism Confucius,
and wood and various wealth in a moderate manner. As the
Confucian scholars of all dynasties have attached great
son of heaven, he had the auspicious sign of soil and soil is
importance to etiquette and moral conduct. In the Han
yellow, so he was called the Yellow Emperor9.
Dynasty, Confucianism became the official ruling ideology in
Emperor Wu’s Court, and influenced all aspects of social life. Sima Qian wrote the chronicle of the Yellow Emperor into
Literature was no exception. It was at this time that the image his work in the primary chronicle, and clearly established the
of the Yellow Emperor in Immortal Taoism Fu was changed identity of the ancestor of the Yellow Emperor, which was
from the distinct alienated image of beasts to the image of included in the history pedigree. According to the criterion of
ordinary people. Instead, it began to emphasize the various historical truth, Sima Qian said “the words of all schools on
achievements of the Yellow Emperor. Historical the Yellow Emperor are not elegant, and even scholars cannot
Records · Primary Chronicle of Five Emperors records: distinguish true and false”. As a part of real history, the
ridiculous image of "beast" is obviously contrary to the truth
The Yellow Emperor was born with intelligence, and
of historical biography. Therefore, the alienation
spoke soon after birth. He was smart in childhood, honest and
characteristics of the Yellow Emperor were omitted by Sima
diligent when he grew up. When he grew up, he read and
Qian. The stories of the Yellow Emperor he recorded are all
heard extensively and saw things thoroughly. In the Xuanyuan
his achievements and virtues. His conduct followed the time
era, Shennong's descendants had declined, and all the princes
of heaven and benefited the people. His virtue was like soil,
fought against each other and maimed the people, while
and according to the theory of five elements, soil matched
Shennong's family had no power to fight against them. Hence,
yellow, so called him the Yellow Emperor. Since then, the
Xuanyuan practiced military training and sent armed forces to
image of the Yellow Emperor was completely established as
suppress the princes who didn’t pay tribute. Only then did all
“the ancestor of human”. When people talk about the Yellow
the princes surrender. Chiyou was the most ferocious among
Emperor, they still recognized his morality, though Taoism
all the princes. No one conquered him. Emperor Yan wanted
had alienated the Yellow Emperor before.
to attack and oppress the princes who came back to Xuanyuan.
Hence, Xuanyuan practiced virtue, rectified the army, studied Looking at the "image" of the Queen Mother. By the time
the changes of solar terms of four seasons, planted grains, Biography of Emperor Wudi of Han Dynasty was basically
pacified the people, measured the land of the four sides, finalized, the image of the Queen Mother had gone through
trained the beasts such as bears, Pi, Xiu, Chu and tigers, and the process of transforming from a completely animal image
fought several battles with Emperor Yan in the countryside of to a noble goddess. In this process, Biography of Mu Tianzi
Banquan before he conquered Emperor Yan and won as he was the key to the transformation. Biography of Mu Tianzi
wished. Chiyou launched a rebellion and did not obey the recorded the events of Mu Tianzi’s journey to the West in
orders of the Yellow Emperor. So, the Yellow Emperor order to show his great virtues. The third volume of this book
commanded the army of the princes and fought against Chiyou records an event that the Queen Mother had banquet with Mu
in the countryside of Zhuolu. He finally captured and killed Tianzi. As the master of Yao Chi, the Queen Mother hosted a
him. If anyone did not surrender to him, he would go to fight banquet for Mu Tianzi. The relationship between the host and
him. After conquering the place, he would leave and level off the guest was equally honorable. The image of Mu Tianzi was
hills to pave roads all the way. He never lived in a place graceful and magnanimous. The first volume of Biography of
peacefully. The Yellow Emperor moved around without a Mu Tianzi depicts the image of Mu Tianzi as follows: "Mu
fixed residence. Wherever he led his troops, he set up barracks Tianzi stood in front of the river god in his formal clothes. He

8 9
Li Zehou. Historical Comments on Ancient Chinese Thoughts, Sima Qian, Historical Records, Zhonghua Book Company, 1959, P
Sanlian Bookstore, 2017, P 122-123. 1-6.

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wore a crown, two leather kneepads, a scepter plate stuck in Taishan Mountain and Songshan Mountain to absorb rivers.
his waistband and two jade pendants on both sides of his waist. They climbed over the stone cliffs and saw the Gate of
He took a jade in his hands” 10 . As far as the creation of Heaven open and the Imperial Palace. They enjoyed the
literary images is concerned, if the Queen Mother treated Mu longevity of and felt the endless happiness in the Imperial
Tianzi with the "image" of beast, Mu Tianzi would be scared Palace.12
to death. It was quite inconsistent with the elegant image of
In the above quotation, 15 images come from Shan Hai
Mu Tianzi. From the ideological point of view, this work’s
Jing. The geographical images include Kunlun, Jieshi,
purpose was to show the virtues of Mu Tianzi. The original
Bozhong, Taihang, Xiong'er, Four Seas, Taishan, Jiujiang and
alienation image of the Queen Mother was obviously
the Gate of Heaven and the Imperial Palace. The image of
inharmonious to the image of Mu Tianzi. Therefore, in this
character includes Zhu Rong, Ju Mang, Xuanyuan and Chiyou.
work the writer changed the original image of the Queen
Mother into an elegant goddess and omitted her beast image in For example, Tao Hongjing's Water Immortal Fu has
previous works, and honored her as the master of Yao Chi. depicted the life of a water immortal:
As we mentioned earlier, "image" in the imaginary often ... In the past, Tongguan was not blocked and the gate was
contains “meaning”, and the interpretation of "meaning" is opened. Water in Jiangshui River and Hanshui River could be
based on "image". According to the evolution process of the diverted out to the Jishui River and reached Huaishui River.
two "images", the Yellow Emperor and Queen Mother Zhangshui and Baoshan Cave Mansion were immortal
mentioned above, we can elucidate some deep "meanings" dwellings. They were traveling place of E Ying and Qin Feng
hidden behind the two "images". Looking back on the (all of them were spiritual water)... the tall corridors attracted
evolution process of the Yellow Emperor and Queen Mother, the Phoenix. The gooses led the way for curtained carts…
the evolution rules of "image" of the Yellow Emperor and Clapped the stone in the cave, and blew Aoguan of Xuanyou.
Queen Mother are identical: de-alienation and beautification Made wine in the alchemy cave, and presented delicacies of
with high morality. Both the image of the Yellow Emperor Linzhou. An Qisheng offered long-lived jujubes, and the
and the image of Queen Mother were de-alienated and turn to Queen Mother gave peaches to Xishan… Speaking of the
strengthening morality in the derivation. Taking Historical castles and high-rise pavilions in the sky, they were places for
Records and Biography of Mu Tianzi as an opportunity, the the Yellow Emperor to drink with the gods. Stones from
image of The Yellow Emperor and the image of Queen Tushan formed a screen and meteorite formed a curtain, which
Mother were implanted with the connotation of virtue. was the place of Xia Yu to gather his ministers. The
Therefore, when we see the images of the Yellow Emperor intersection of Minshan Mountain and Minzhong Mountain
and Queen Mother in Immortal Taoism Fu, we can not only was opposite to Jingxiu in the sky. The Milky Way hanged
associate them with their immortal status, more importantly, high in the sky and carried stars across the sky… The river run
we can feel the implication of virtue in them. In Baopuzi, Ge through Mount Mangdang, and running outside the mouth of
Hong said: “those who seek immortality should be loyal, filial the pot...13
and obedient. If don't cultivate morality and conduct, they
can't live forever if they just pursue magic arts”11. Above, the twelve places of Shimen, Hanshui, Jishui,
Huaishui, Zhangshui, Goushan, Xuanyou, Danxue, Cengcheng,
Tushan, Panshan and Mangdang are geographical images. E
III. ANALYSIS ON THE CHARACTERISTICS OF IMAGE
Ying, Queen Mother, the Yellow Emperor and Xia Yu are god
GROUPS IN IMMORTAL TAOISM FU: FOCUSING ON KUNLUN beast images. The total 16 images come from Shan Hai Jing.
MYTHOLOGICAL SYSTEM
When we study Immortal Taoism Fu, we find that many So many and frequent use of the images of Shan Hai Jing
gods and geographical images come from Shan Hai Jing. In in Immortal Taoist Fu was due to the fact that scholars in past
Han Huangxiang's Jiugong Fu, the images of astronomy were dynasties knew more about Shan Hai Jing. Shan Hai Jing, as a
frequently used, which come from Shan Hai Jing. Taoist classic, is highly respected by Taoism and is included
in Taoist collections of all dynasties. For Taoist Fu writers and
In worship of the Five Mountains, Heaven and Earth and readers, Shan Hai Jing is a must-read classic. It can be
the Four Seasons, they commanded Zhu Rong and Ju Mang... affirmed that the god beasts, mountains and rivers, city pools
Up to Kunlun and Jieshi, they had ever climbed over Dizhu, appearing in Shan Hai Jing are commonly recognized cultural
Taihang Mountain, Xiong’er Mountain and Wutong Mountain, memories in the hearts of readers of Taoist Fu. Therefore, in
and lived in Bozhong Mountain and Waifang order to make the works more acceptable to Taoist Fu readers,
Mountain…Stars led the way as if they carried weapons. it is natural that the images of Shan Hai Jing in Immortal
Xuanyuan rode a horse in front. The god of thunder rode a Taoism Fu appear frequently.
lion and guards followed. The spirit of gods drove luxuriant
carts one after another… Gods like Chiyou wore colorful Although Shan Hai Jing is the common cultural memory of
clothes and carried halberds and shields… The waves of the Taoist Fu writers and readers, we should also note that Fu
Four Seas relaxed and widened the boundary. They broke writers did not select images from numerous images in Shan

10 12
Wang Tianhai, Annotations to Mu Tianzi · Yan Danzi, Guizhou Chen Yuanlong, Fu Collections of Past Dynasties, Phoenix
People's Publishing House, 1997, P 14. Publishing House, 2004, P 435.
11 13
Ge Hong, Baopuzi, Zhonghua Book Company, 2016, P 53. Chen Yuanlong, Fu Collections of Past Dynasties, Preface, P 435.

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Hai Jing at will in the creation of Immortal Taoism Fu. They Zhongji is also called as Kunlun. The people who manage the
abided by certain principles unconsciously. Generally book copy the names on the book. No omissions are allowed16.
speaking, the images of Immortal Taoism Fu from Shan Hai
As shown above, the Kunlun Mythological System has
Jing are mainly based on Kunlun Mythological System. Why
become more and more important since it was introduced into
did writers use the images of Kunlun Mythological System in
the Taoist immortal system. It is not only at the core of belief,
the Immortal Taoism Fu?
but also at the center of the world. It is at the axis line of the
The author thinks that this is related to the status of earth and echoes with the North Pole in the sky.
Kunlun in the ancient immortal system. Nowadays, there is no
In addition, Huainanzi Topographic Instructions recorded:
definite conclusion about the specific geographical location of
Kunlun in academic circles, but the noble status of Kunlun Climbed up from the Peak of Kunlun Mountain and
Mythological System in the whole ancient mythology is reached Liangfeng Mountain. One who climbed up Liangfeng
indisputable. This is evidenced by the relevant literature of Mountain could be immortal. Continued to climb up and saw
Hainei Xijing and the Xici Sanjing. Xuanyou Mountain. One who climbed up Xuanyou Mountain
could see gods and summon wind and call for rain. Continued
Hainei Xijing recorded:
to climb up and reached the Heaven Court. One who reached
There was Kunlun Mountain in the sea. The northwest was the Heaven Court could become a god and live together with
the capital of the Emperor of Heaven in the earth. Kunlun was the Emperor of Heaven17.
about 800 li round and 8,000 zhang high. There was a rice tree
The nearer the distance of the god is to Kunlun, the higher
on the mountain, four zhang high, big enough to be embraced
his status is in the immortal system and the stronger his magic
by five people. There were nine wells on each side of Kunlun
arts are. From bottom to top, Kunlun is divided into three
Mountain, beside which there were jade railings. There were
levels: Liangfeng Mountain, Xuanyou Mountain and the
nine doors on each side, and each door was guarded by god
Palace of Emperor Tai. The gods living in Liangfeng
beasts. That's where the gods were. These gods lived in the
Mountain could live forever. The gods living in Xuanyou
cave of Bafang Mountain or on the side of Chishui River.
Mountain could use magic arts. The gods living together with
Without high ability like Hou Yi who shot the sun, no one can
the Emperor of Tai could summon wind and call for rain. It is
climb up to the mountain14.
not easy for ordinary people to live a long life. As for the
In addition, Xici Sanjing recorded: residence of Emperor Tai, immortals are not yet available, and
ordinary people cannot reach it. In reality, Taoist Fu writers,
The place, four hundred li to the southwest, was called
as human beings, naturally cannot live in Kunlun or reach
Kunlun Mountain. It was the capital of the Emperor of Heaven
Zhongji. Thus, Taoist Fu writers, with the frustration of not
in the earth. Lu Wu was in charge of it15.
realizing the ideal of seeking immortals, turned to the
At the same time, the above two documents mentioned that magnificent imagination and realized it in writing Immortal
Kunlun is "the capital of the Emperor of Heaven in the earth". Taoism Fu. In Immortal Taoism Fu, writers liked to use dream
Viewing Shan Hai Jing, only the one place Kunlun is called as to fly over the immortal mountains and reached the Palace of
“the capital of the Emperor of Heaven in the earth". In the Heaven. For example, in Ge Changgeng's Zi Yuan Fu, he
addition, Kunlun is not only the dwelling place of the Emperor dreamed to fly over the Palace of the Emperor of the Heaven.
of Heaven in the earth, but also the "place where all gods live". He recorded: “I visited the residence of the Emperor of the
In this record related to “all gods”, only Kunlun is the Heaven and reached the boundless and vague fairyland” 18 .
permanent residential place of these gods. It is obvious that The Palace of Heaven was vague and empty, and Taoist Fu
Kunlun is in the lofty position of Shan Hai Jing. writers were also unconvinced about reaching to the Fairland
Kunlun. Therefore, they only wanted to and tried to realize
Because Shan Hai Jing has been collected as Taoist their long-cherished wish by magic arts, which is particularly
collections in past dynasties, the related images of Kunlun evident in Tang Wang Yanling's Sleepwalking Fairy Court:
mythology in it have been inherited for a long time and
absorbed by Taoism. The Kunlun Mythological System has I rode a white deer and a unicorn, flew over the cart of Cui
further evolved into the center of Taoist immortal system. Yu and skipped over the Sun. Passed through the Southern
Gate and surpassed the boundary of the North. I showed my
The Volume 110 of Taiping Classics recorded: ambition by flying over Kunlun and expressed my desire of
In ancient times, people who had acquired Taoism also longevity by getting across the heaven and the sea. I rebuked
had certain rules. Those who had not been born recorded in
the longevity book. And the names had been recorded on the
book should be transmitted to Zhongji when they soared.
16
Wang Ming, Annotation to Tianping Classics, Zhonghua Book
Company, 1985, P 532.
14 17
Yuan Ke, Annotations to Shan Hai Jing, Shanghai Ancient Books Xu Kuangyi, Annotations to Huainanzi, Guizhou People's
Publishing House, 1980, P 294. Publishing House, 1990, P 233.
15 18
Yuan Ke, Annotations to Shan Hai Jing, quoted from the same Chen Yuanlong, Fu Collections of Past Dynasties, Phoenix
book, P 47. Publishing House, 2004, P 438.

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Fengbo and blamed Leishen, and finally opened the gate of by those who seek immortality. Through analysis of Immortal
heaven and visited the Palace of Heaven19. Taoism Fu of past dynasties, as readers, we can experience the
infinite "meaning" of the writers in worship of the immortal
In his dream, Wang Yanling flew over Kunlun by relying
Taoism by the unique aesthetic space of image construction.
on the Kunlun Immortal Fengbo and Leifu. This kind of flight
not only shows the satisfaction of Taoist Fu writers from
imaginary of immortality, but also reveals their infinite
yearning for Kunlun fairyland. REFERENCES
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single image when choosing meanings. This is the case with Chinese)
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image, the meaning space contained in the image group of Publishing House, 1990. (in Chinese)
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[7] Wang Ming, Tianping Classics, Beijing: Zhonghua Bookstore, 1985.
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[8] Ge Hong, Baopuzi, Beijing: Zhonghua Book Company, 2016. (in
the image group, readers can more truly feel the attraction of Chinese)
Kunlun, the center of immortal belief, to Immortal Taoism Fu [9] Wang Tianhai, Annotations to Mu Tianzi · Yan Danzi. Guiyang:
writers. As far as the meaning space of the text is concerned, Guizhou People's Publishing House, 1997. (in Chinese)
image groups have more space for readers to analyze and [10] Lu Ji, Annotations to Zhang Shaokang’ Works, Annotation to Literary
understand, and the larger possibility to create new meaning in Fu. Beijing: People's Literature Publishing House, 2002. (in Chinese)
interpretation of text. Still takes the record of Water Immortal [11] Chen Yuanlong, Fu Collection of Past Dynasties. Nanjing: Phoenix
Fu as an example. If we simply look at the text, it depicts the Publishing House, 2004. (in Chinese)
extremely elegant daily life of the water immortal. By [12] Yu Yuan, Zhang Minggao, Selected Literary Theories of Wei, Jin,
combining with the composition of Kunlun Mythological Southern and Northern Dynasties. Beijing: People's Literature
Publishing House, 1999. (in Chinese)
System, there are more possibilities of interpretation in the
[13] Li Zehou, Historical Comments on Ancient Chinese Thoughts. Beijing:
text, and there is a huge space of meaning hidden behind the Sanlian Bookstore, 2017. (in Chinese)
image group. In the image group of Water Immortal Fu, there
are images of Xuanyou, Cengcheng, E Huang, Queen Mother
and the Yellow Emperor, which are closely related to Kunlun.
Kunlun was also the center of Taoist immortal system and the
yearning place of the people who worshiped Taoism in the
past dynasties. The continuous emergence of images in
Kunlun Mythological System is bound to arouse readers'
interest. Once interest is stimulated, a dialogue is established
between the reader and the text. Through dialogue, various
immortal life experiences in Immortal Taoism Fu use imagery
as a medium to drive readers’ imagination and connect with
the internal cultural memory, awaken association with the
themes of seeking immortal and longevity, and ultimately
influence the readers and lead the readers to identify with the
writers.

IV. CONCLUSION
Generally speaking, the selection of images in ancient
Chinese Immortal Taoism Fu is not go-as-you-please. Images
in Immortal Taoism Fu were elaborately selected by the
writers according to life experience and aesthetic
consciousness. These images were constructed into image
groups, which imply the aesthetic value orientation of the
ancients when they sought immortality and Taoism, reveal the
ancients' desire to live forever, and are also the profound
cultural memory passed down from generation to generation
19
Chen Yuanlong, Fu Collections of Past Dynasties, Preface, P 437.

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