The ancients dreamed of immortals and painted them in glowing terms.
In the Songs of Chu, the line “The Lord’s daughter descends to the northern islet; her distant gaze fills me with sorrow” expresses people’s hope and longing for the arrival of immortals. The Book of Songs likewise depicts the phoenix, an auspicious creature, in the line “The phoenix cries out upon that lofty ridge,” portraying its sacred nature and symbolizing good fortune and blessing.
In Zhuangzi, immortals are described as beings who transcend the mundane: “On Mount Gushe lives a divine being, with skin like ice and snow and the delicate beauty of a maiden.” This portrayal reveals the immortals’ otherworldly grace.
Records of the Immortals of Huaxia is a sprawling novel set against the backdrop of ancient Chinese legends about immortals. Drawing on Biographies of the Immortals and other ancient texts, it carefully reconstructs the legendary tales of many famous immortals and their enduring ties to all things in the mortal world.
These immortals’ stories are more than myths and legends. They are tales of courage, wisdom, and sacrifice. With delicate prose, Records of the Immortals of Huaxia brings its characters vividly to life and recounts the hardships and challenges they face on their quest for truth.
Han Zhongli, Tieguai Li, Lü Dongbin, He Xiangu... Their stories trace the journey from mortal to immortal, reflecting cultivators’ perseverance and resolve: even in the face of countless hardships, they never give up.
True cultivation is not about escaping the mortal world, but about keeping a pure heart while living in it. Records of the Immortals of Huaxia is not only a collection of mythological tales, but also a tribute to traditional culture and a cleansing of the modern soul. This book is a rare source of spiritual nourishment.
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