Producer unknown to us
Figurine of He Xian’gu
Aisa, China
19th century
Porcellain
Ivo Streich (translator) acquired the figure while working as an interpreter at the Imperial German Consulate in Shanghai starting in 1886
Donation to the museum by Streich in 1887
OAs 467
He Xian’gu is the only female member of the ”Eight Immortals,” the patron saints of several societal groups.
Her name means ”The Immortal Woman He.” Originally, her name was He Qiong. According to legend, she came from a peasant family during the Tang Dynasty (617–907 AD). Her family is said to have lived in present-day Zengcheng, in Guangdong Province.
When He Qiong was 14 years old, a divine figure appeared to her in a dream and instructed her to eat powdered mica that she could find by the riverbed. She was so inspired by this dream that she set out, found the mica, and ate it. It made her light as a feather, allowing her to travel great distances in a short time, needing neither food nor water.
When Empress Wu Zetian (625–705 AD), who was the head of the country at the time, heard of this miracle, she ordered He Qiong to come to her court to reveal to her the secret of immortality. It is said that she made her way to the Empress' court on a cloud. However, she disappeared on her way to the court, never to be seen again.
He Xiangu's attributes include a lotus flower and, on occasion, the Chinese mouth organ (sheng), or a fly whisk, or a bamboo ladle. She is considered to be the patron saint of women*.
Ivo Streich probably acquired this figure and 145 other items while working as an interpreter at the Imperial German General Consulate in Shanghai. He donated it to the museum in 1887.
Dietmar Grundmann