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One of the Eight Immortals, Philosopher Han Xiang (韓湘子 in pinyin: hán xiāng zi) or Han Xiang Zi, in Wade-Giles as Han Hsiang Tzu, was born Han Xiang during the Tang Dynasty, and his courtesy name is Qingfu (清夫 qīng fū). He is said to be the nephew or grandson of Han Yu, a prominent statesman of Tang Court. Han Xiang studied Daoism under Lü Dongbin. Once at a banquet by Han Yu, Han Xiang persuaded Han Yu to give up a life of officialdom and to study Dao with him. But Han Yu was adamant that Han Xiang should dedicate his life to Daoism in stead of Confucianism, so Han Xiang demonstrated the power of the Dao by pouring out cups after cups of wine from the gourd without an end.
Because his flute gives life, Han became a protector of flautists.
