Lü Dongbin: The Preeminent Immortal

Lü Dongbin stands as the most revered of the Eight Immortals in Daoist mythology. Honored as "Ancestral Master Lü" (Lü Zu), he is a pivotal figure in the Quanzhen school of Daoism. Unlike distant, solemn deities, Lü is depicted as a witty, sword-bearing scholar who walked among mortals to offer aid. He embodies the Daoist tenet that enlightenment is attainable by all, not solely by divine beings. To this day, he remains one of the most venerated figures in Chinese folk religion, particularly among healers and scholars.