神仙
How to Understand
神仙 (shén xiān) refers to an immortal deity or a Taoist immortal, typically associated with supernatural powers and eternal life. Unlike common deities in other religions, these immortals are often depicted as having transcended the mortal world through spiritual cultivation.
The character 神 (shén) originally meant 'god' or 'spirit,' while 仙 (xiān) means 'immortal' or 'hermit.' Together, they form a term that represents beings who have achieved a state of divine existence through Taoist practices such as meditation, alchemy, and moral purity.
神仙 is commonly used in Chinese literature, mythology, and media to describe figures like the Eight Immortals or legendary sages. It also appears in modern contexts, such as fantasy stories or games, where characters may be described as possessing supernatural abilities. In daily speech, it can sometimes be used metaphorically to describe someone exceptionally skilled or wise.