Name/Title
Li Tieguai (李鐵拐)Description
Stone statue of a man standing on clouds. He wields a sword in front of him.Context
Li Tieguai is the emblem of the sick. He is often depicted carrying a gourd and is dressed as a lame beggar. At times he is even depicted riding a Qilin. His name translates to “Iron Crutch Li.” Li Tieguai had the ability to remove his soul from his body to communicate with those in the spirit realm. Once when using his ability, a disciple burned Li Tieguais body, assuming he was dead after 6 and 1/2 days. This forced Li Tieguai to inhabit the body of a beggar. His new form is often associated with mental illness.
He represents low social status.Lexicon
Legacy Lexicon
Object Name
Sculpture, Stone