Lu Tung-Pin

ALSO KNOWN AS:

Lu Dongbin

ORIGIN:

China

Lu Tung-pin, born circa 750 CE, is one of the Eight Immortals. A scholar and recluse, he became a Taoist adept and attained immortality at age fifty. Lu Tung-pin was the student of another Immortal, Chung-li Chuan. Both men are sometimes considered the chief of the Eight Immortals. Lu Tung-pin is a genuinely helpful spirit who seeks to help people in need. He provides miracles of healing: he responds to petitions from those who are ailing. He banishes malicious spirits and rids the world of evil.

Lu Tung-pin fell in love with his fellow Immortal, Ho Hsien-Ko but she did not share his sentiments. (Alternatively, she rebuffed him because she had taken a vow of chastity.) Rumor has it that ever since then, Lu Tung-pin has been jealous of happy lovers. Be discreet about your successful love life when in his presence. Allegedly, couples who invoke him together or who visit his shrine together are fated to break up.

FAVOURED PEOPLE:

Lu Tung-pin likes the ladies. He is also the patron spirit of barbers. (And if you’re a good-looking lady barber, you may assume that it’s likely that you have Lu Tung-pin’s patronage.)

ICONOGRAPHY:

Lu Tung-pin is usually depicted dressed in the robes of a scholar.

ATTRIBUTES:

Sword, usually worn across his back and the Taoist fly-brush

Sacred site:

Lu Tung-pin is the primary deity enshrined in Taiwan’s Zhinan Temple.

OFFERINGS:

Lu Tung-pin enjoys a drink: be generous with alcoholic beverages.

SEE ALSO:

Chung-li Chuan; Eight Immortals; Ho Hsien-Ko

SOURCE:

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses – Written by : Judika Illes Copyright © 2009 by Judika Illes.