Late 19th Century Chinese Painting on Paper. Artist unknown. The subject is Birthday Wishes from All the Immortals. The scene of immortals offering their blessings is a popular subject in traditional Chinese art, often depicted with vibrant colors and intricate details.

Birthday Wishes from All the Immortals (群仙祝寿) is a popular tale in Chinese mythology and folklore. It often appears in traditional Chinese art, opera, and literature. This story is associated with the Queen Mother of the West (西王母) and her legendary Peach Banquet (蟠桃会). 

Overall Size: 66 1/4 x 35 3/4 in.
Sight Size: 55 x 29 1/2 in.
#8490 . 

The Story: The Queen Mother of the West, a powerful goddess in Chinese mythology, holds a grand banquet to celebrate her birthday every few thousand years. This banquet is famously known as the Peach Banquet, as it features the peaches of immortality (蟠桃), which ripen only once every 3,000 years. These peaches are said to grant eternal life to those who eat them.

On this auspicious occasion, all the immortals from heaven and earth gather to pay their respects and offer birthday wishes to the Queen Mother. The immortals include deities, celestial beings, and legendary figures such as:

• The Eight Immortals (八仙): A group of Taoist deities known for their unique powers.
• The Jade Emperor (玉皇大帝): The ruler of heaven.
• Shou Xing (寿星): The God of Longevity, often depicted with a high forehead and a peach in his hand.
• Other notable deities like Guan Yin (观音), the God of Wealth (财神), and the Dragon Kings (龙王).

Symbolism:

1. Longevity and Prosperity: The story symbolizes the Chinese cultural emphasis on wishing for long life and good fortune.
2. Unity and Harmony: The gathering of immortals represents the idea of universal harmony and celebration.
3. Taoist Beliefs: The tale reflects Taoist themes of immortality, spiritual enlightenment, and reverence for nature.