Legend has it that the Eight Immortals came across the boundless East China Sea with its turbulent waves on the way to attend the Peach Party hosted by the Queen Mother of the West. However, they were glad at the chance to demonstrate their special skills.
Lu Dongbin said, “Since the East China Sea has immortal mountains and beautiful scenery, how about going there to take a look for ourselves? And it is forbidden to take a boat!”
All agreed with great pleasure and prepared to cross the sea. Han Zhongli hurled his palm-leaf fan into the waters and lay on his back with the chest and abdomen exposed, floating forwards through the waves; He Xiangu cast a water lily into the sea, which at once emitted a powerful red glow, and she stood upon it to float across the waves; Tieguai Li threw his crutch into the sea and used it as a raft; Han Xiangzi cast out a decorated basket and piloted it as though it were a ship; and Lu Dongbin, Lan Caihe,Zhang Guolao and Cao Guojiu together threw their personal magic instruments into the sea which immediately turned into sampans. Thus all of them successfully crossed the stormy East China Sea. The idiom “The Eight Immortals Cross the Sea” originates from this legend.
The story comes from Journeytothe East. It is used to symbolize the completion of a difficult task through one’s own special method or skills.
