八(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)仙(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)的傳(chuan)(chuan)說(shuo)(shuo)起源很早,但人物有多種說(shuo)(shuo)法(fa)。如淮南(nan)八(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)仙(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian),所(suo)指即助成(cheng)西漢(han)淮南(nan)王劉安著成(cheng)《淮南(nan)子》的八(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)公,淮南(nan)王好神仙(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)丹藥(yao),后世傳(chuan)(chuan)其為(wei)(wei)仙(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian),淮南(nan)八(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)仙(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)說(shuo)(shuo)可能附(fu)會此事而起。五代(dai)時(shi)道(dao)(dao)(dao)士(shi)作畫幅為(wei)(wei)蜀中八(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)仙(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian),所(suo)畫人物有容成(cheng)公、李耳、董(dong)仲舒(shu)、張道(dao)(dao)(dao)陵、嚴(yan)君平、李八(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)百、范長生、爾(er)朱先生。今(jin)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)所(suo)謂(wei)八(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)仙(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian),大約(yue)形成(cheng)于元(yuan)代(dai),但人物不(bu)(bu)(bu)盡相同。至明代(dai)吳元(yuan)泰作《八(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)仙(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)出(chu)處東(dong)游記》,鐵拐李等八(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)仙(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)過海的故事日漸(jian)流(liu)(liu)傳(chuan)(chuan),八(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)仙(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)人物也在流(liu)(liu)傳(chuan)(chuan)中穩定下來(lai)。八(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)仙(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)人物出(chu)處不(bu)(bu)(bu)一,時(shi)代(dai)不(bu)(bu)(bu)同。最初(chu)見于史(shi)籍且確有其人的,是初(chu)盛唐時(shi)道(dao)(dao)(dao)術之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)士(shi)張果。五代(dai)宋初(chu),關于呂(lv)洞賓的仙(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)話傳(chuan)(chuan)說(shuo)(shuo),流(liu)(liu)傳(chuan)(chuan)甚(shen)盛,與道(dao)(dao)(dao)教(jiao)(jiao)內(nei)丹修煉(lian)法(fa)的傳(chuan)(chuan)播相煽(shan)助,兩宋之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)際即盛傳(chuan)(chuan)“鐘呂(lv)金丹道(dao)(dao)(dao)”。金元(yuan)時(shi)全真道(dao)(dao)(dao)教(jiao)(jiao)興起,為(wei)(wei)回應民(min)間信仰(yang)及傳(chuan)(chuan)說(shuo)(shuo)以宣揚其教(jiao)(jiao)法(fa),將鐘離權、呂(lv)洞賓等推為(wei)(wei)北五祖(zu),民(min)間傳(chuan)(chuan)說(shuo)(shuo)、雜(za)劇戲談等便與道(dao)(dao)(dao)教(jiao)(jiao)神仙(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)相互演衍(yan),八(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)仙(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)故事流(liu)(liu)傳(chuan)(chuan)益廣,內(nei)容益繁(fan)富。呂(lv)洞賓是八(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)(ba)仙(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)形成(cheng)的核心人物,道(dao)(dao)(dao)教(jiao)(jiao)稱(cheng)之(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)為(wei)(wei)呂(lv)祖(zu),各地(di)道(dao)(dao)(dao)觀(guan),尤其全真道(dao)(dao)(dao)觀(guan)祭(ji)祀(si)不(bu)(bu)(bu)輟。
在(zai)中國民間,幾乎人人都(dou)(dou)熟(shu)悉“八(ba)仙過(guo)海,各顯神通”的(de)(de)故事。這八(ba)位神仙究竟是憑空杜撰(zhuan)出(chu)來的(de)(de)神話人物,還是歷(li)史(shi)上某些人物的(de)(de)模擬化呢?應當說(shuo),一切神靈都(dou)(dou)是人造的(de)(de),所謂“八(ba)仙”自然也不例外(wai)。大部分是以歷(li)史(shi)人物為依(yi)據而(er)產生(sheng)的(de)(de),不過(guo)說(shuo)法(fa)有異。
中(zhong)(zhong)國(guo)民間傳說中(zhong)(zhong)的八(ba)仙分(fen)別是:鐵(tie)拐李、鐘離權(quan)、張果老、呂洞賓、何仙姑、藍(lan)采和、韓(han)湘子、曹國(guo)舅(jiu)。
據有人研究,漢(han)、六(liu)朝時已有“八仙(xian)”一(yi)(yi)(yi)詞(ci),原(yuan)是指漢(han)晉以來(lai)神仙(xian)家們所幻想的(de)(de)(de)一(yi)(yi)(yi)組仙(xian)人,直至唐代,“八仙(xian)”都只(zhi)是一(yi)(yi)(yi)個空泛的(de)(de)(de)名(ming)詞(ci)。而上述八仙(xian)中的(de)(de)(de)具體(ti)人物,到明代中葉吳元泰的(de)(de)(de)《東游記》和湯顯祖的(de)(de)(de)《邯鄲夢》問世后,才被(bei)正式確定下來(lai)。
先說(shuo)(shuo)鐵(tie)拐李(li),鐵(tie)拐李(li)在民間(jian)傳說(shuo)(shuo)中(zhong)為八(ba)仙之(zhi)首,有的書中(zhong)稱其姓李(li),名洪水,隋朝峽人(ren),魯(lu)迅先生的《中(zhong)國小說(shuo)(shuo)史(shi)略》則說(shuo)(shuo)他姓李(li),名玄(xuan);趙翼(yi)的《陔余叢考》中(zhong)又(you)說(shuo)(shuo)他姓劉。有說(shuo)(shuo)他是唐玄(xuan)宗(zong)開元、代(dai)宗(zong)大歷之(zhi)間(jian)人(ren),學道于終南(nan)山(shan)(shan),一(yi)(yi)次元神(shen)(shen)出(chu)殼(ke),沒曾想尸體(ti)為虎所食,只(zhi)得(de)投身(shen)于一(yi)(yi)個(ge)跛(bo)乞丐。《歷代(dai)神(shen)(shen)仙通(tong)鑒》稱,其原本一(yi)(yi)俊偉丈夫,善道術(shu),會使(shi)導出(chu)元神(shen)(shen)法術(shu),修練于碭山(shan)(shan)巖穴(xue)中(zhong),有次應師父老子(zi)之(zhi)約(yue),行“元神(shen)(shen)出(chu)殼(ke)”法術(shu),赴(fu)千里(li)之(zhi)外華山(shan)(shan),數日后回歸(gui),發現其尸體(ti)被(bei)其徒誤焚,突見附(fu)近一(yi)(yi)餓殍,靈機一(yi)(yi)動說(shuo)(shuo)“即(ji)此可矣。”即(ji)從餓殍腦門而(er)入,神(shen)(shen)魂歸(gui)殼(ke)后則成(cheng)(cheng)一(yi)(yi)蓬(peng)頭卷須、黑臉巨眼(yan),并(bing)且還跛(bo)了一(yi)(yi)只(zhi)右腳的丑陋漢子(zi)。看來他是一(yi)(yi)位民間(jian)口耳相傳,諸事附(fu)會而(er)成(cheng)(cheng)的道家仙人(ren)。
八仙中(zhong)名氣(qi)僅次于鐵拐(guai)李(li)的是(shi)鐘(zhong)(zhong)離(li)(li)權(quan)(quan)。他(ta)在(zai)八仙中(zhong)地位(wei)較高,特別(bie)是(shi)由于道(dao)教徒的吹捧,名聲(sheng)更大。元時(shi),金(jin)真道(dao)奉為(wei)(wei)(wei)“正陽(yang)祖(zu)師”。有(you)(you)(you)關其(qi)(qi)(qi)人(ren)物原型,約出現在(zai)五(wu)代、宋(song)初之(zhi)(zhi)際。《宣和年譜》、《夷堅(jian)志》、《宋(song)史》等書都(dou)有(you)(you)(you)他(ta)事(shi)跡的記載,只是(shi)后來訛為(wei)(wei)(wei)漢(han)(han)鐘(zhong)(zhong)離(li)(li),才附(fu)會為(wei)(wei)(wei)漢(han)(han)代人(ren)。《歷(li)代神仙通鑒》、《續文(wen)獻通考》等書稱,鐘(zhong)(zhong)離(li)(li)權(quan)(quan),復姓鐘(zhong)(zhong)離(li)(li),字寂(ji)道(dao),號(hao)云(yun)房子,又號(hao)正陽(yang)子。東漢(han)(han)咸(xian)陽(yang)人(ren),其(qi)(qi)(qi)父鐘(zhong)(zhong)離(li)(li)章為(wei)(wei)(wei)東漢(han)(han)大將,其(qi)(qi)(qi)兄鐘(zhong)(zhong)離(li)(li)簡為(wei)(wei)(wei)中(zhong)郎將,后也得(de)(de)道(dao)成仙。而唐(tang)代確(que)實有(you)(you)(you)位(wei)叫鐘(zhong)(zhong)離(li)(li)權(quan)(quan)的人(ren),《全唐(tang)詩(shi)》錄(lu)有(you)(you)(you)他(ta)的三首絕(jue)句(ju),并附(fu)有(you)(you)(you)小傳(chuan)云(yun):“咸(xian)陽(yang)人(ren),遇老(lao)人(ren)授仙訣(jue),又遇華陽(yang)真人(ren),上仙王(wang)玄甫,傳(chuan)道(dao)入崆峒山(shan),自(zi)號(hao)云(yun)房先生,后仙去。”他(ta)留世的詩(shi)題為(wei)(wei)(wei)《題長安酒(jiu)肆避(bi)三絕(jue)句(ju)》,其(qi)(qi)(qi)中(zhong)有(you)(you)(you)“坐臥常攜酒(jiu)一壺,不教雙眼識皇(huang)都(dou)”、“得(de)(de)道(dao)真仙不易逢(feng),幾時(shi)歸去愿相(xiang)從(cong)”等句(ju),還頗有(you)(you)(you)一些“仙味”,當(dang)是(shi)一位(wei)好道(dao)之(zhi)(zhi)人(ren)。
張(zhang)(zhang)(zhang)果(guo)(guo)老(lao)(lao)是(shi)八(ba)仙(xian)中年(nian)(nian)邁的(de)仙(xian)翁,名“張(zhang)(zhang)(zhang)果(guo)(guo)”,因在八(ba)仙(xian)中年(nian)(nian)事最高(gao),人們尊稱(cheng)其為“張(zhang)(zhang)(zhang)果(guo)(guo)老(lao)(lao)”,歷史(shi)上實有(you)(you)張(zhang)(zhang)(zhang)果(guo)(guo)其人,新、舊《唐書》有(you)(you)傳(chuan)(chuan),武則天(tian)時,隱居中條(tiao)山,時人皆稱(cheng)其有(you)(you)長(chang)生(sheng)秘術(shu),他(ta)自(zi)稱(cheng)年(nian)(nian)齡有(you)(you)數百歲,武則天(tian)曾(ceng)派使者(zhe)前去召見,張(zhang)(zhang)(zhang)果(guo)(guo)老(lao)(lao)佯死(si)不(bu)赴。唐玄(xuan)(xuan)(xuan)(xuan)宗(zong)開元二十一年(nian)(nian),恒州刺史(shi)韋濟將其奇(qi)聞(wen)(wen)上奏皇(huang)上,玄(xuan)(xuan)(xuan)(xuan)宗(zong)召之,張(zhang)(zhang)(zhang)果(guo)(guo)又再次(ci)裝(zhuang)(zhuang)死(si),氣絕(jue)很(hen)久(jiu)才蘇醒,使者(zhe)不(bu)敢進逼。玄(xuan)(xuan)(xuan)(xuan)宗(zong)聞(wen)(wen)知,再次(ci)派徐嶠去邀(yao)請(qing)。張(zhang)(zhang)(zhang)果(guo)(guo)只得進京。據說唐玄(xuan)(xuan)(xuan)(xuan)宗(zong)對其傳(chuan)(chuan)聞(wen)(wen)有(you)(you)疑,曾(ceng)叫善(shan)算夭壽善(shan)惡的(de)邢(xing)和璞給(gei)張(zhang)(zhang)(zhang)算命,邢(xing)卻懵然不(bu)知張(zhang)(zhang)(zhang)的(de)甲子,又有(you)(you)道師“夜光”善(shan)視鬼,玄(xuan)(xuan)(xuan)(xuan)宗(zong)令他(ta)看張(zhang)(zhang)(zhang)果(guo)(guo),他(ta)卻問(wen):“張(zhang)(zhang)(zhang)果(guo)(guo)在哪(na)?”居然對面而(er)看不(bu)見。從史(shi)傳(chuan)(chuan)所(suo)記(ji)(ji)來看,張(zhang)(zhang)(zhang)果(guo)(guo)不(bu)過(guo)是(shi)一位(wei)有(you)(you)些心虛的(de)老(lao)(lao)朽江湖(hu)術(shu)士,要(yao)不(bu)何以數次(ci)裝(zhuang)(zhuang)死(si)以避征召呢?充其量不(bu)過(guo)會些幻術(shu)而(er)已。所(suo)以有(you)(you)關他(ta)的(de)仙(xian)話,全都是(shi)道教憑借民間傳(chuan)(chuan)聞(wen)(wen),夸大其詞,為了(le)宣傳(chuan)(chuan)需要(yao)而(er)編(bian)造的(de)。《太平廣(guang)記(ji)(ji)》還記(ji)(ji)張(zhang)(zhang)(zhang)果(guo)(guo)老(lao)(lao)自(zi)稱(cheng)是(shi)堯帝(di)時人,唐玄(xuan)(xuan)(xuan)(xuan)宗(zong)問(wen)術(shu)士“葉法善(shan)”張(zhang)(zhang)(zhang)的(de)來歷,葉法善(shan)說:“臣(chen)不(bu)敢說,一說立死(si)。”后(hou)言道:“張(zhang)(zhang)(zhang)果(guo)(guo)是(shi)混沌初分時一白蝙蝠精。”言畢跌地而(er)亡,后(hou)經玄(xuan)(xuan)(xuan)(xuan)宗(zong)求情,張(zhang)(zhang)(zhang)果(guo)(guo)才救活他(ta)。
八仙(xian)中(zhong)(zhong)流傳(chuan)故事最多的(de)(de)當數呂(lv)(lv)洞(dong)賓,在道(dao)教中(zhong)(zhong),全真(zhen)道(dao)奉(feng)其為(wei)(wei)“純陽祖(zu)師”,又稱“呂(lv)(lv)祖(zu)”。歷來大多數研究者(zhe)均(jun)認(ren)為(wei)(wei),呂(lv)(lv)洞(dong)賓姓(xing)(xing)呂(lv)(lv)名(ming)巖,唐(tang)末人。《金唐(tang)詩》、《詞綜》中(zhong)(zhong)都收有(you)(you)他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)的(de)(de)詩作。宋(song)代羅大經的(de)(de)《鶴林玉露》、洪邁的(de)(de)《夷堅(jian)志》及《集仙(xian)傳(chuan)》等書(shu)對其均(jun)有(you)(you)記載。有(you)(you)說他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)是(shi)(shi)京兆人(今(jin)陜西、西安一(yi)(yi)帶),唐(tang)咸通(tong)中(zhong)(zhong)及第,曾當過兩任澤區(qu)令。有(you)(you)說他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)是(shi)(shi)九江人,原為(wei)(wei)唐(tang)宗室(shi),姓(xing)(xing)李(li),因(yin)避武后之禍,易姓(xing)(xing)為(wei)(wei)呂(lv)(lv)。他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)始名(ming)紹(shao)光,二十余年科場不(bu)第,遂罷舉而縱游天(tian)下,后被(bei)鐘離權點化成道(dao)。他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)是(shi)(shi)八仙(xian)中(zhong)(zhong)人情味最濃的(de)(de)一(yi)(yi)個,瀟灑、風趣,為(wei)(wei)民除暴安良,斬妖除怪(guai),還(huan)好(hao)酒好(hao)色(se),世(shi)間流傳(chuan)有(you)(you)《呂(lv)(lv)洞(dong)賓三(san)戲白牡丹》的(de)(de)傳(chuan)說,他(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)(ta)的(de)(de)傳(chuan)說既多且雜,但從中(zhong)(zhong)也可看(kan)出原是(shi)(shi)唐(tang)代一(yi)(yi)位慕道(dao)的(de)(de)士人,后被(bei)人們神化成仙(xian)。
何(he)仙(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)姑是八仙(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)中(zhong)(zhong)惟一(yi)的女性,有(you)(you)關(guan)其身(shen)世說(shuo)法不(bu)一(yi)。一(yi)說(shuo)她(ta)是唐(tang)(tang)朝(chao)人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)。宋初(chu)《太平(ping)廣(guang)記(ji)(ji)》引(yin)《廣(guang)異記(ji)(ji)》稱(cheng)有(you)(you)“何(he)二(er)(er)娘(niang)(niang)”者,是位以織鞋為業的農(nong)婦,后因嫌家居太悶,游(you)于(yu)羅浮山(shan)(shan),在山(shan)(shan)寺(si)(si)(si)中(zhong)(zhong)住(zhu)下(xia),經(jing)常采集山(shan)(shan)果(guo)供(gong)眾寺(si)(si)(si)僧充齋。一(yi)次,遠(yuan)(yuan)在四百里外(wai)的循州山(shan)(shan)寺(si)(si)(si)僧來(lai)羅浮山(shan)(shan)寺(si)(si)(si),稱(cheng)某日曾有(you)(you)仙(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)女去(qu)彼(bi)山(shan)(shan)采摘楊梅果(guo)子(zi),經(jing)查實那(nei)天(tian)正好(hao)是二(er)(er)娘(niang)(niang)采果(guo)的日子(zi),再加之大家又不(bu)知二(er)(er)娘(niang)(niang)從何(he)處采來(lai)這眾多(duo)山(shan)(shan)果(guo),便(bian)認為二(er)(er)娘(niang)(niang)即為循州山(shan)(shan)寺(si)(si)(si)采果(guo)之仙(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)女,從此二(er)(er)娘(niang)(niang)遠(yuan)(yuan)近(jin)聞名,她(ta)也借此不(bu)再寄居山(shan)(shan)寺(si)(si)(si)了(le)。《續(xu)通考》說(shuo)何(he)仙(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)姑為唐(tang)(tang)武(wu)則天(tian)時(shi)(shi)廣(guang)東增城(cheng)縣人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren),出身(shen)時(shi)(shi)頭頂出現六道毫光(guang),天(tian)生(sheng)一(yi)副“仙(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)科”,十三歲時(shi)(shi)在山(shan)(shan)中(zhong)(zhong)遇一(yi)道士(shi),吃了(le)道士(shi)一(yi)只仙(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)桃(tao),從此不(bu)饑不(bu)渴,身(shen)輕如(ru)飛,并可預(yu)見人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)生(sheng)禍(huo)福。后來(lai)她(ta)應(ying)召進(jin)京,途中(zhong)(zhong)離去(qu)。一(yi)說(shuo)她(ta)是宋朝(chao)人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)。宋代(dai)的一(yi)些文人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)筆記(ji)(ji)多(duo)稱(cheng)她(ta)為北宋永(yong)州(零陵)人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren),有(you)(you)稱(cheng)她(ta)幼(you)遇異人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren),得食(shi)仙(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)桃(tao)成(cheng)仙(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)。有(you)(you)稱(cheng)她(ta)放(fang)牧于(yu)郊野,遇異人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)送仙(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)棗,食(shi)后而成(cheng)仙(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian),宋人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)筆記(ji)(ji)中(zhong)(zhong)還記(ji)(ji)載了(le)何(he)仙(xian)(xian)(xian)(xian)姑一(yi)些為人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)占(zhan)卜休(xiu)咎,預(yu)測禍(huo)福的事跡,一(yi)時(shi)(shi)士(shi)大夫及好(hao)奇者爭先前(qian)往彼(bi)處占(zhan)卜,可見她(ta)不(bu)過(guo)是一(yi)位精于(yu)占(zhan)卜的民間女巫。
八仙中有(you)位玩世(shi)不(bu)恭,似狂非狂的行(xing)乞道仙,名(ming)叫藍采和(he)。南唐(tang)沈汾《續仙傳》、宋初(chu)《太(tai)平廣(guang)記(ji)》、陸游(you)《南唐(tang)書》等書均載有(you)他的事跡(ji)。是唐(tang)末至五代時(shi)人(ren)(ren)。其行(xing)為(wei)怪(guai)僻,貪(tan)杯喜唱,平時(shi)穿(chuan)一(yi)(yi)身(shen)破藍衫(shan),一(yi)(yi)只(zhi)(zhi)腳(jiao)穿(chuan)只(zhi)(zhi)靴子(zi),另一(yi)(yi)只(zhi)(zhi)則光著(zhu)腳(jiao)丫子(zi)。更不(bu)近常情(qing)的是,夏天(tian)他穿(chuan)棉衣,冬天(tian)卻(que)躺(tang)臥雪中而全身(shen)冒熱氣(《續仙傳》)。平時(shi)他手持(chi)三尺有(you)余的大拍板,一(yi)(yi)邊打(da)著(zhu)竹板,一(yi)(yi)邊踏歌(ge)而行(xing),沿街(jie)行(xing)乞,他唱的歌(ge)很多,大都是觸景(jing)而生,不(bu)僅令世(shi)人(ren)(ren)覺得(de)高深莫測(ce),而且頗具仙意。其一(yi)(yi)云:“踏歌(ge)藍采和(he),世(shi)界能幾何?紅顏一(yi)(yi)春(chun)樹,流年一(yi)(yi)擲(zhi)梭,古人(ren)(ren)混混去不(bu)返,今人(ren)(ren)紛紛來(lai)更多。朝騎鸞鳳到(dao)碧波(bo),暮見(jian)桑(sang)田生白波(bo)。長(chang)景(jing)明暉在(zai)空際(ji),金銀宮闕高嵯峨。”他行(xing)為(wei)癲狂,有(you)人(ren)(ren)施錢給他,他大都送(song)給貧苦(ku)人(ren)(ren),藍采和(he)居無(wu)定處(chu),四海為(wei)家。這個(ge)仙人(ren)(ren)的人(ren)(ren)物原(yuan)型本是一(yi)(yi)江湖(hu)流浪漢(han),僅由于他的行(xing)為(wei)癲狂,又好周濟(ji)窮人(ren)(ren),因此深得(de)人(ren)(ren)們喜愛而被神化成仙。
普遍(bian)的說法,韓(han)湘(xiang)子是唐代(dai)著名文學家(jia)(jia)韓(han)愈(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)的侄(zhi)子(有(you)(you)說侄(zhi)孫),《唐書(shu).宰(zai)相(xiang)世系(xi)表》、《酉(you)陽雜(za)俎(zu)(zu)》、《太平廣記》、《仙傳拾遺》等書(shu)都有(you)(you)關于他(ta)(ta)的介紹。一(yi)(yi)稱(cheng)(cheng)是韓(han)愈(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)侄(zhi)孫,歷史上韓(han)愈(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)確有(you)(you)一(yi)(yi)個叫韓(han)湘(xiang)的侄(zhi)孫曾官大理(li)丞。韓(han)愈(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)曾有(you)(you)《左遷至藍(lan)關示侄(zhi)孫湘(xiang)》一(yi)(yi)詩:“一(yi)(yi)封(feng)朝(chao)奏九重天,夕貶潮陽路(lu)八千。欲為(wei)圣朝(chao)除弊事,肯將衰朽惜殘年!云(yun)橫(heng)秦(qin)嶺(ling)家(jia)(jia)何在?雪擁藍(lan)關馬不前,知(zhi)汝遠來應有(you)(you)意,好收吾骨(gu)瘴江(jiang)邊(bian)。”他(ta)(ta)成(cheng)仙的傳說,最早見(jian)于唐代(dai)段成(cheng)式的《酉(you)陽雜(za)俎(zu)(zu)》。書(shu)中稱(cheng)(cheng)韓(han)愈(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)有(you)(you)一(yi)(yi)年少遠房子侄(zhi),為(wei)人(ren)輕狂不羈,不喜讀書(shu),韓(han)愈(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)曾責怪他(ta)(ta),他(ta)(ta)卻能在七日之(zhi)內(nei)使壯丹花按其叔的要求改(gai)變顏色,并且(qie)每朵上邊(bian)還有(you)(you)“云(yun)橫(heng)秦(qin)嶺(ling)家(jia)(jia)何在……”的詩句,韓(han)愈(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)驚奇萬(wan)分。還有(you)(you)說韓(han)湘(xiang)子是韓(han)愈(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)外甥,其事跡和《酉(you)陽雜(za)俎(zu)(zu)》所言大同小異,韓(han)湘(xiang)子其人(ren)物原型(xing)為(wei)韓(han)愈(yu)(yu)(yu)(yu)的族侄(zhi),五代(dai)時即被仙化。
排名(ming)八仙(xian)之(zhi)末(mo)的曹(cao)(cao)國(guo)舅,出(chu)現的時間最(zui)晚(wan),流傳的仙(xian)話(hua)也(ye)較少。其身世,說(shuo)法(fa)大(da)同小異,都和宋(song)仁(ren)宗的曹(cao)(cao)皇后有關(guan)。《宋(song)史(shi)》有傳,曹(cao)(cao)佾,字公伯(bo),曹(cao)(cao)彬之(zhi)孫(sun),曹(cao)(cao)皇后的弟(di)弟(di)。他性(xing)情和易(yi),通(tong)曉音(yin)律(lv),喜愛(ai)作(zuo)詩,封濟陽郡王,身歷數朝而(er)(er)一帆風(feng)順,年七(qi)十二而(er)(er)壽終。《神仙(xian)通(tong)鑒(jian)》云:曹(cao)(cao)國(guo)舅天性(xing)純善,不(bu)喜富貴,卻慕戀于仙(xian)道(dao),其弟(di)則驕縱不(bu)法(fa),恃勢妄(wang)為(wei),曹(cao)(cao)國(guo)舅對(dui)其惡行深以(yi)為(wei)恥(chi),遂入(ru)山修煉(lian),遇鐘離權(quan)、呂洞(dong)賓而(er)(er)收他為(wei)徒(tu),很(hen)快曹(cao)(cao)國(guo)舅修成仙(xian)道(dao)。《東游記(ji)》中所述曹(cao)(cao)國(guo)舅與上略同。
北宋建隆年(nian)間(jian),沙(sha)門島(dao)(dao)(今廟島(dao)(dao))是朝廷囚禁犯(fan)(fan)(fan)人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)的地方(fang),從(cong)(cong)建隆三(san)年(nian)開(kai)始,凡(fan)軍人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)犯(fan)(fan)(fan)了(le)法(fa),都(dou)發配沙(sha)門島(dao)(dao)。這樣年(nian)復一年(nian),島(dao)(dao)上犯(fan)(fan)(fan)人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)越(yue)(yue)來(lai)(lai)越(yue)(yue)多(duo)。但(dan)朝廷每(mei)年(nian)只撥給全島(dao)(dao)三(san)百(bai)(bai)人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)的口糧(liang)(liang),所(suo)以(yi)糧(liang)(liang)食越(yue)(yue)來(lai)(lai)越(yue)(yue)不(bu)(bu)夠(gou)吃。后來(lai)(lai),沙(sha)門島(dao)(dao)看(kan)守頭(tou)目(mu)李(li)慶便(bian)想(xiang)了(le)個狠毒(du)辦法(fa):當犯(fan)(fan)(fan)人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)超過(guo)三(san)百(bai)(bai)時,便(bian)將(jiang)其中一些捆住(zhu)手(shou)腳,扔進海(hai)里淹死(si),使(shi)島(dao)(dao)上犯(fan)(fan)(fan)人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)總是保持在(zai)(zai)(zai)三(san)百(bai)(bai)人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)內(nei),如此被(bei)殺的,兩年(nian)內(nei)就達七百(bai)(bai)余人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren),為(wei)了(le)活命,犯(fan)(fan)(fan)人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)們經常跳(tiao)海(hai)鳧水(shui)逃命,但(dan)絕大部分都(dou)被(bei)激浪吞沒(mei),一次,有五十多(duo)名囚犯(fan)(fan)(fan)得到(dao)即將(jiang)被(bei)殺的消息,便(bian)趁著(zhu)天(tian)晴月朗,避開(kai)看(kan)守,抱著(zhu)葫蘆、木頭(tou)跳(tiao)入海(hai)中,往蓬萊(lai)(lai)山方(fang)向游(you)去。從(cong)(cong)沙(sha)門島(dao)(dao)到(dao)蓬萊(lai)(lai)約(yue)三(san)十里之(zhi)遙(yao),途中多(duo)數犯(fan)(fan)(fan)人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)體(ti)力不(bu)(bu)支淹死(si)水(shui)中,只剩下(xia)八(ba)名身懷(huai)武功、體(ti)格健壯的善游(you)者,借(jie)著(zhu)水(shui)流游(you)到(dao)了(le)岸邊,在(zai)(zai)(zai)蓬萊(lai)(lai)城北丹崖山下(xia)的獅子洞內(nei)躲了(le)起來(lai)(lai)。第(di)二天(tian),漁民發現了(le)他(ta)(ta)們,當聞知八(ba)人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)從(cong)(cong)沙(sha)門島(dao)(dao)游(you)水(shui)越(yue)(yue)海(hai)而來(lai)(lai),無(wu)不(bu)(bu)驚奇萬分,把他(ta)(ta)們稱作“神人(ren)(ren)(ren)(ren)”,此事(shi)便(bian)在(zai)(zai)(zai)民間(jian)傳開(kai)了(le),并且越(yue)(yue)傳越(yue)(yue)神,他(ta)(ta)們被(bei)傳稱為(wei)“八(ba)仙”,演變成今天(tian)的“八(ba)仙過(guo)海(hai)”的故事(shi)。