Biographies of Immortals

Ge HongJan 2026

4.0

Word count: 39K words
Chapters: 85

Summary

The Biographies of Immortals is a classic of the immortal genre, steeped in ancient fantastical imagination and the spirit of the Wei and Jin dynasties, which sketched for later ages a radiant and many-colored gallery of immortals. The book gathers the wondrous tales of dozens of immortals from high antiquity to the Wei and Jin, including ancient legends such as the Yellow Emperor seeking the Way at Kongtong and Pengzu prolonging his years, as well as splendid romances like Liu An attaining the Way and ascending to heaven and Magu tossing rice that turns to pearls. Each story breaks free from earthly fetters, unfolding between the real and the illusory a yearning and quest for the realm of longevity. With concise and vivid strokes, Ge Hong blends the immortals' transcendent powers with the smoke and fire of the mortal world, writing both their miracles of summoning wind and rain and transcending life and death, and their perseverance and insights in cultivation, lending these illusory figures a touch of vivid texture. This classic not only collects the essence of immortal culture through the ages but also carries the ancients' exploration of the mysteries of the universe and their longing for spiritual freedom, becoming an indispensable vehicle in the later transmission of xianxia literature and Daoist culture. After a thousand years of circulation, it still lets readers feel, in those fantastical and strange tales, a romance and remoteness that spans time and space.

Editor's review

The value of Shenxian Zhuan lies not in offering credible history but in presenting how people of the Wei and Jin period imagined the limits of life and spiritual freedom. Ge Hong wrote of the marvelous in the manner of historical biography, with concise prose and rich imagery; such stories as the Yellow Emperor seeking the Way, Peng Zu prolonging life, and Magu tossing rice are both source texts of Daoist culture and a prototype bank for later xianxia narrative. This edition emphasizes readability, allowing modern readers to enter smoothly that world where truth and illusion intertwine. Read it as an archive of the ancients' imagination about "how to transcend the finite": there are miracles of summoning wind and rain, but also perseverance and perplexity in cultivation, which gives these ethereal figures a human texture. Suitable for dipping into a tale in spare moments to feel a romance and remoteness spanning a thousand years, and also as an introductory reader for understanding Daoist culture and the classical narrative tradition.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in Daoist culture, immortal beliefs, and Wei-Jin thought
Readers who enjoy classical zhiguai tales and the sources of xianxia themes
Writers seeking to understand ancient narrative traditions and mythic prototypes
General readers who want short marvel tales for fragmented time

Not a good fit for

Readers expecting strict historical criticism or empirical research
Readers who prefer the continuous plot of modern novels
Those uninterested in the supernatural who read only realistic material

Reading tips

Start with the table of contents and pick immortal entries that interest you, reading one or two at a time rather than straight through.
When motifs recur, take brief notes comparing how different stories imagine longevity and supernatural powers.
Read alongside basic introductions to Daoist culture or Wei-Jin thought to understand the conceptual background.
Compare classic entries such as Magu and Peng Zu with later xianxia works to observe how the prototypes evolved.

版权信息
1. 广成子
2. 若士
3. 沈文泰
4. 彭祖
5. 白石生
6. 黄山君
7. 凤纲
8. 皇初平
9. 吕恭
10. 沈建
11. 华子期
12. 乐子长
13. 卫叔卿
14. 魏伯阳
15. 沈羲
16. 陈安世
17. 李八伯
18. 李阿
19. 王远
20. 伯山甫
21. 墨子
22. 刘政
23. 孙博
24. 班孟
25. 玉子
26. 天门子
27. 九灵子
28. 北极子
29. 绝洞子
30. 太阳子
31. 太阳女
32. 太阴女
33. 太玄女
34. 南极子
35. 黄卢子
36. 马鸣生
37. 阴长生
38. 茅君
39. 张道陵
40. 栾巴
41. 淮南王
42. 李少君
43. 王真
44. 陈长
45. 刘纲
46. 樊夫人
47. 东陵圣母
48. 孔元
49. 王烈
50. 涉正
51. 焦先
52. 孙登
53. 东郭延
54. 灵寿光
55. 刘京
56. 严青
57. 帛和
58. 赵瞿
59. 宫嵩
60. 容成公
61. 董仲君
62. 倩平吉
63. 王仲都
64. 程伟妻
65. 蓟子训
66. 葛玄
67. 左慈
68. 王遥
69. 陈永伯
70. 太山老父
71. 巫炎
72. 河上公
73. 刘根
74. 壶公
75. 尹轨
76. 介象
77. 董奉
78. 李根
79. 李意期
80. 王兴
81. 黄敬
82. 鲁女生
83. 甘始
84. 封君达

FAQ

Can I understand Shenxian Zhuan without a foundation in classical Chinese?

Yes. This edition emphasizes readability; the stories themselves have simple plots and short length and do not depend on deep classical training. It is advisable to begin with familiar entries such as the Yellow Emperor, Peng Zu, and Magu, reading the story first and then noting the cultivation ideas within, gradually adapting to classical expression.

What is the relationship between this book and later xianxia fiction?

Shenxian Zhuan gathers immortal anecdotes from high antiquity to the Wei and Jin period, and many figures and story motifs became prototypes for later xianxia and zhiguai literature. Reading it shows how such imaginings as summoning wind and rain, tossing rice to make pearls, and attaining the Way and ascending to heaven first took shape, and clarifies the origins of the xianxia narrative tradition.

Are the stories in the book real history?

They should not be read as reliable history. Ge Hong wrote of the marvelous in the manner of historical biography, intertwining truth and illusion; there are shadows of historical figures but also abundant projection of imagination and religious concepts. Its value lies in presenting the ancients' exploration of longevity, the universe, and spiritual freedom, not in recording verifiable facts.

Is it better read in one sitting or slowly?

Slow reading suits it better. The stories are relatively independent, and continuous reading easily tires through repeated motifs. Read one or two at a time, jot down striking details of supernatural powers or cultivation, and return after a while to better appreciate the romance and remoteness between truth and illusion.

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About the author

Ge Hong Author · China

Ge Hong, courtesy name Zhichuan, styled himself Baopuzi and was known as the Minor Immortal, was a native of Jurong in Danyang (present-day Jiangsu). A Daoist priest, Daoist scholar, alchemist and physician of the Eastern Jin period, he came from a prominent Jiangnan clan and studied Daoism under Zheng Yin. He was enfeoffed as General Fubo and Marquis of Guannei for military merit, and later withdrew to Mount Luofu to pursue alchemy and writing. His works blend Confucianism and Daoism, notably the inner and outer chapters of Baopuzi, Zhouhou Beiji Fang and Shenxian Zhuan, and he is regarded as one of the founders of the theory of immortal Daoism. The collection holds 18 of his works, spanning medicine, folk literature, culture, health, Eastern philosophy and history; Zhouhou Beiji Fang and Baopuzi are especially influential, combining practical medical prescriptions with philosophical discourse and leaving a lasting mark on later Daoist and medical culture. Public information on his birth and death years is limited.