Few figures in Chinese folklore are more widely recognized than the Eight Immortals. Most of them are believed to have been legendary figures before they were linked together, probably sometime in the late Sòng or early Yuán Dynasty (periods 15-16), i.e. sometime in the XIIIth century.

Most often the Eight Immortals are represented together in art, and they are understood to be mildly amusing and relatively harmless beings, who spend their time entertaining themselves in various ways. As immortals they collectively represent long life, and pictures of them are particularly associated with birthday celebrations.

This Chinese scroll, circa 1880-1900, depicts perhaps six of the Eight Immortals. Approximately eight feet in length.