# Figurengruppe: Die Gottheit des langen Lebens Shouxing und die acht daoistischen Unsterblichen auf separatem Sockel
**Wikidata**: [Q120422787](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q120422787)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/figurengruppe-die-gottheit-des-langen-lebens-shouxing-und-die-acht-daoistischen-unsterblichen-auf-separatem-sockel

## Summary
Figurengruppe: Die Gottheit des langen Lebens Shouxing und die acht daoistischen Unsterblichen auf separatem Sockel is a 3D computer graphics representation of a traditional Chinese religious sculpture group. Created around 1700, it depicts Shouxing, the deity of longevity, alongside the Eight Daoist Immortals, each figure individually mounted on its own pedestal.

## Key Facts
- Created in the year 1700.
- Originated in the Republic of China.
- Currently held in the Thuringian State and University Library collection.
- Classified under the category of 3D computer graphics.
- Depicts Shouxing (God of Longevity) and the Eight Daoist Immortals.
- Each figure is displayed on a separate base or pedestal.
- Represents a fusion of traditional Daoist iconography with digital modeling techniques.
- Part of a broader class of objects related to 3D geometric data representations.

## FAQs
### Q: What does this figure group represent?
A: The artwork represents Shouxing, the Daoist deity of long life, accompanied by the Eight Immortals of Daoism. These figures symbolize health, longevity, and spiritual transcendence in Daoist belief systems.

### Q: Where is this figure group currently located?
A: It is housed in the collection of the Thuringian State and University Library. Despite originating from the Republic of China, it is now preserved within this German institutional archive.

### Q: Is this a physical sculpture or a digital model?
A: Based on its classification as 3D computer graphics, it is a digitally rendered model rather than a physical artifact. Its inception date refers to when the digital version was created or modeled.

## Why It Matters
This figure group serves as a bridge between historical religious art and modern digital preservation methods. By rendering traditional Daoist imagery using 3D computer graphics, it allows scholars, educators, and cultural institutions to study, share, and display complex theological symbolism without risk to original artifacts. As part of the Thuringian State and University Library's holdings, it contributes to global accessibility of East Asian religious iconography through digitization efforts. Furthermore, it exemplifies how technology can aid in cross-cultural understanding by making esoteric spiritual traditions more visually accessible to international audiences.

## Notable For
- Being one of the few documented examples linking Daoist mythology with early digital sculptural modeling.
- Featuring all nine key figures—Shouxing and the Eight Immortals—each on individual pedestals, enhancing symbolic clarity.
- Representing an unusual synthesis of late imperial Chinese religious themes and contemporary computational visualization tools.
- Holding institutional status within a major European academic library system, indicating its value for interdisciplinary research.
- Demonstrating how sacred iconography can be preserved and interpreted outside its original cultural context via technological means.

## Body

### Origin and Creation
The Figurengruppe was created in the year 1700 during the Qing Dynasty period in what is now known as the Republic of China. While the inception date may refer to the creation of the digital model, the subject matter reflects centuries-old Daoist tradition concerning immortality and divine blessing.

### Subject Matter
The central theme revolves around Shouxing (寿星), also known as the God of Longevity, who is often depicted holding a peach or staff and bearing a large forehead. He is flanked by the Ba Xian (八仙), or Eight Immortals, each representing different aspects of human experience and paths to enlightenment:
- Li Tieguai – associated with healing and medicine
- Zhongli Quan – linked to internal alchemy
- Zhang Guolao – known for his donkey and reverse aging
- Lu Dongbin – connected to swordsmanship and moral cultivation
- He Xiangu – the sole female immortal, representing purity
- Lan Caihe – associated with music and revelry
- Han Xiangzi – linked to the flute and scholarly pursuits
- Cao Guojiu – tied to royal lineage and humility

Each figure stands on a distinct pedestal, emphasizing their individual identities while maintaining thematic unity.

### Digital Representation
Classified under 3D computer graphics, the work utilizes geometric data to recreate the form and posture of traditional figurines. This format enables rotation, scaling, and detailed inspection not possible with static images. It supports educational applications such as virtual exhibitions, interactive learning modules, and comparative studies across cultures.

### Institutional Context
It resides in the Thuringian State and University Library (Thüringer Landes- und Universitätsbibliothek) in Germany. This placement suggests that the object has been curated for academic access rather than public display, likely serving researchers studying religion, art history, or digital humanities.

### Cultural Significance
Though rooted in Daoist cosmology, the piece gains renewed relevance through its digital medium. It facilitates dialogue between Eastern spirituality and Western technological practices, offering insight into how ancient beliefs adapt to new modes of expression and dissemination.