Immortals of Harmony and Unity
There are many legends about the Immortals of Harmony and Unity. In the Zhenguan reign of the Tang Dynasty, the Immortals of Harmony and Unity referred to two poet monks, Hanshan and Shide. The pair often wrote poems and chanted Buddhist scriptures; later in life they settled in Fengqiao, Suzhou, and built Hanshan Monastery together. In the reign of Yongzheng of the Qing Dynasty, the Immortals of Harmony and Unity referred to a monk named Wanwei. After his brother went to war, he walked 10,000 miles a day in search of his brother, hoping he could reunite with the family. The monk was thus known as Wanwei or Brother Wanwei.
The Immortals of Harmony and Unity were two old monks who often manifested themselves as young boys. Harmony is often depicted holding a lotus leaf or an ear of rice, while Unity carries a box. The Chinese words for “lotus” and “box”, “he” and “he”, have the same sound as “harmony” and “unity”. In ancient times, “hehe” referred to marriage. The meaning of the term was later extended to include interpersonal relationships and implied harmonious marriage and family.
Function
Happy marriage; good interpersonal relationships
Festival
Birthday of the Immortals of Harmony and Unity: 24th day of 6th lunar month
Temple
Litt Shing Kung, Sheung Wan
