Li Tieguai
One of the Eight Taoist Immortals / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about Iron-Crutch Li?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
Li Tieguai (Chinese: 李鐵拐; lit. 'Iron Crutch Li') is a Chinese mythological figure and one of the Eight Immortals in the Taoist pantheon. He is sometimes described as irascible and ill-tempered, but also benevolent to the poor, sick and the needy, whose suffering he alleviates with special medicine from his bottle gourd. He is often portrayed as an ugly old man with a dirty face, a scraggly beard, and messy hair held by a golden band. He walks with the aid of an iron crutch and often has a gourd slung over his shoulder or held in his hand.[1] He often is depicted as a clown figure who descends to earth in the form of a beggar[2] who uses his power to fight for the oppressed and needy,[3] and to heal others.[2]
Li Tieguai | |||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Traditional Chinese | 李鐵拐 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Simplified Chinese | 李铁拐 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
The legend says that Li was born in the Yuan dynasty (1279–1368),[4] and was originally named "Li Xuan". However, in folklore, he is depicted as Laozi's apprentice, hence he should have lived in the sixth century BC.