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Elder Zhang Guo or Zhang Guo Lao, Chang Kuo Lao in Wade-Giles, (張果老 in pinyin: zhang1 guo3 lao3) is one of the Eight Immortals. He is known as Master Comprehension-of-Profundity (通玄先生 tong1 zhao4 xian1 shen1).
He lived as an occultist-alchemist (方士) on Mount Tiao (條山) in Heng Prefecture (恒州 heng2 zhou1) during the Tang Dynasty. By the time of Empress Wu (684–705), he claimed to be several hundred years old. He makes chinese wine or liquor out from the herbs and shrubs as a hobby. Members of the Eight Immortals just love to drink his home-made wine which believe to have healing or medical properties.
Empress Wu summoned him to leave the mountain, so he feigned death. He is the personification of a white bat. He rides a white donkey backward. Emperor Xuanzong attempted to give him an office with the title of Silvery Blue Guanglu Minister (銀青光祿大夫).
He was the most eccentric of the eight immortals, as one can see from the kung fu style that was dedicated to him — which includes moves such as delivering a kick during a backflip, or bending so far back that your shoulders touch the ground!
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