戏曲和视觉艺术品中的八仙形象在元代便已确立。八仙的本领及其表现(虽然流传得支离破碎)包括肃穆的仪式场景,信众危难之时的灵应,以及赐予祈愿之人的福泽庇佑[一]。我们不妨先关注一幅表现八仙出场的壁画和两件器物,继而讨论八仙作为仙人群体起源于何时这一久讼不决的问题。有 The images of the Eight Immortals in opera and visual arts have been established in the Yuan Dynasty. The power of the Eight Immortals and its manifestations, though fragmented, include solemn ritual scenes, spiritual deeds when the believers are in distress, and the blessing of the people who pray to them. We might as well look at a mural depicting the appearance of the Eight Immortals and two artifacts, and then discuss the issue of immortality when the immortals were originated from. Have