Chinese sage: Lu Dongbin 1745 - 1755

This porcelain figure represents Lu Dongbin, one of the most revered of the Eight Immortals in the Taoist pantheon. Observe the fan he holds. This simple object, a symbol of his power to dispel evil and disease, echoes across time and cultures. We see similar objects in the hands of ancient Roman priests, used to fan sacred flames, and in the ceremonial fans of Japanese courtiers, each carrying its own weight of cultural significance. The fan, like the caduceus or the cornucopia, is not merely an object but a vessel of collective memory, its form and function shaped by the subconscious desires and fears of humanity. The serene expression, the flowing robes, the gesture, all speak to a yearning for harmony and a connection to the divine that resonates even today. These symbols, passed down through generations, engage us on a deep, subconscious level, reminding us that the quest for meaning is a timeless, cyclical journey.