HAN HSIANG

Pinyin Han Xiang, in Chinese mythology, one of the Pa Hsien, the Eight Immortals of Taoism. He desired to make flowers bloom in an instant and to produce fine-tasting wine without using grain. When his uncle scoffed at the idea, Han Hsiang performed the impossible before his uncle's eyes: flowers suddenly appeared in bloom from a clod of earth. In addition, a mysterious poem of 14 golden characters was seen on the leavesa prophecy that was only later understood when the uncle was driven into exile. Han Hsiang usually is depicted holding a bouquet or basket of flowers, a hoe, and a mushroom of immortality. He is said to have been converted to Taoism (c. 9th century AD) by L Tung-pin, another Immortal, but all attempts to convert his wife ended in failure.