Daoist literary Anecdotes

In Chinese history, literary anecdotes normally referred to things associated with national regulations and rules. In the later periods, they were used to imply records of national affairs and local hearsay. In Daoism, literary anecdotes referred to records about regulations and activities associated with Daoist sects.

Daoist literary anecdotes used to cover things from organizations and rituals to cultivation as well as stories about immortals. They were recorded in numerous historical documents. Practically, however, the idioms used to highlight famous immortals and religious activities relevant to Daoist transmission, ritual and regulation and so on. Examples were 'the Eight Immortals Cross the Sea' and 'the Domestic Fowls and Animals Rise to Heaven', which provided us with vivid pictures about historical events and figures in Daoism. Anecdotes such as 'Rebirth from the Original Fetus and Bones' and 'Eighty one Salvations', on the other hand, highlighted the transmission of Daoism and magic resulting from cultivation.

Daoist literary anecdotes were rooted in Daoist culture. Based on the unique style of literature and simple language, they became the mirror of Daoist belief and pursuit, which, in return, produced a stable narrative structure as well as a far-reaching impact in Chinese literature. 道教掌故