Lingzhi Literature

Eight Fairies Cross the Sea

his ancient story is about the legend of eight fairies that has been famous myth for thousand of years. It was told that there were then eight fairies who love their people so much. Illnesses were rampant and their limited powers prevented them fro curing them all.

One of the Eight Fairies’ Lan Caihe holding a basket with flowers and lingzhi

hey heard about a story that there is an island called Penglai wherein Ganoderma is said to be abundant. Ganoderma is a magical herb but its supplies is scarce in their country so the eight of them decided to go to this magical place to gather Ganoderma.

hen they arrived in Laoshan in the East Sea, they encountered a fierce battle with the Dragon King. The Dragon King guards the sea preventing anyone to cross it. The dragon uses all its supernatural powers to make them retreat back to their country even using waves as high as mountain in its offensive attacks. But the eight fairies fought back. They were determined in their journey and in helping their people that they displayed their distinctive talents and powers together to fight back the Dragon King. In the end, the Good defeated the Bad theme and the eight fairies continued their sea voyage eastward to the Penglai Island.

Lan Caihe with basket full of various kinds of lingzhi

n Penglai Island, they were amazed on the plentiful growths of Ganoderma and harvested as much as they could. Contented with their yield, they went back to their country where they healed many sick people.

To learn more about Ganoderma in the Philippines and its roots to Chinese Culture, please read Legend of the White Snake