[[Characters]] #Characters \ #Society-and-Culture \ #Deities-and-Spirits # 仙 xiān celestial being; immortal ## Components [[亻(rén)]] [[山 (shān)]] [[山 shān]] ## Meaning The character 仙 (xiān) is commonly used today to refer to immortals or celestial beings in Chinese mythology. It also carries connotations of extraordinary beauty or talent. Additionally, it is used metaphorically to describe someone exceptionally skilled or talented in a particular field, especially in arts or literature. ## History The character 仙 (xiān) originated as a compound ideogram, combining the "person" radical (亻) and the "high" radical (升), which also serves as a phonetic component (巷, pronounced qiān). Originally, it represented a person ascending to become an immortal, suggesting ascetic practice leading to immortality. In ancient Chinese mythology and religion, "仙" refers to immortal beings believed to reside in the mountains. Mountains were considered mystical places where the earth touched the heavens, making them ideal for immortal beings. For instance, Kunlun Mountain was believed to be the birthplace of Chinese immortal thought and the home of the Queen Mother of the West, who possessed the elixir of immortality. Among the numerous immortal legends in Chinese folklore, the story of the "Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea" is particularly famous. The Eight Immortals were originally ordinary people who later achieved immortality through cultivation. Each possessed different magical treasures, and they crossed the East China Sea using their magical powers, tossing their treasures into the water instead of using boats. The phrase "Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea, Each Showing Their Magic" has since become a metaphor for various approaches to doing things and for showing one's unique abilities. ## Evolution ### Oracular Script ? ### Bronze Script ? ### Seal Script ![[仙 seal.svg]] ### Clerical Script ![[仙 cle.svg]] ### Regular Script ![[仙 reg.svg]]