The
Eight Immortals are a group of legendary
xian ("immortals; transcendents; saints") in
Chinese mythology. Each Immortal's power can be transferred to a power tool (法器) that can bestow life or destroy evil. Together, these eight tools are called the "Covert Eight Immortals" (暗八仙 àn ~). Most of them are said to have been born in the
Tang or
Song Dynasty. They are revered by the
Taoists and are also a popular element in the secular
Chinese culture. They are said to live on a group of five islands in the
Bohai Sea, which includes
Penglai Mountain-Island.