Character

Lü Dongbin is usually portrayed as a scholarly, clever man with a genuine desire to help people obtain wisdom/enlightenment and to learn the Tao. However, he is often portrayed as having some character "flaws," not an uncommon theme for the colorful Taoist immortals, all of whom in general have various eccentricities:

• He is portrayed as having bouts of drunkenness, which was not uncommon among the often fun-loving Eight Immortals. This also parallels several Taoist artists renowned for their love of drinking.

• One story relates that early on after becoming immortal, he had a strong temper as a "young" immortal, even deforming a riverbank in a bout of anger.

• He is said to be a ladies man, even after (or only after) becoming an immortal – and for this reason he is generally not invoked by people with romantic problems. This may also relate to some of the Taoist sexual arts.

• Lü was also a prolific poet. His works were collected in the Quan Tangshi (Complete Tang poetry).

Early life

His name is Lü Yán, with Yán ( or or ) being the given name. Dòngbīn is his courtesy name. He is called Master Pure-Yang ( Chunyang Zi), and is also called Lü the Progenitor ( lü zŭ) by some Daoist, especially those of the Quanzhen School. He was born in Jingzhao Prefecture ( Jīngzhào Fŭ) around 796 CE during the Tang Dynasty

When he was born, a fragrance allegedly filled the room. His birthday is said to be on the fourteenth day of the fourth month of the Chinese calendar. He had been very intelligent since childhood and had many academic achievements. However, according to one story, still unmarried by the age of 20, Lü twice took the top-level civil service exam to become a government official, but did not succeed.

In the first year of Tang Baoli (825 CE), he was a scholar for a period of time. He served as a county magistrate twice. Soon he was ruined by officialdom, abandoned his official position and retired to the mountains. Once he went to a Chang'an wine store, met the real Zhongli Quan ( Zhong Liquan), passed ten trials, and Quan taught him the way to create the Golden pill; consequently he learned the way and became an immortal.

Yellow Millet Dream

The legend has it that one night when Lü Yan was in Chang'an or Handan, he dozed off as his yellow millet was cooking in a hotel. He dreamed that he took the imperial exam and excelled, and thus was awarded a prestigious office and soon promoted to the position of vice minister ( shìláng). He then married the daughter of a prosperous household and had a son and a daughter. He was promoted again and again, and finally became the prime minister. However, his success and luck attracted jealousy of others, so he was accused of crimes that caused him to lose his office. His wife then betrayed him, his children were killed by bandits, and he lost all his wealth. As he was dying on the street in the dream, he woke up.

Although in the dream, eighteen years had passed, the whole dream actually happened in the time it took his millet to cook. The characters from his dream were actually played by Zhongli Quan in order to make him realize that one should not put too much importance on transient glory and success. As a result, Lü went with Zhongli to discover and cultivate the Tao. This dream is known as "Dream of the Yellow Millet" ( Huáng Liáng Mèng) and is described in a writing compiled by Ma Zhiyuan of the Yuan Dynasty.

In volume 82 of Song Dynasty scholar Li Fang's Extensive Records of the Taiping Era, an earlier version of the story, Lü Dongbin was replaced by Student Lu ( Lú Shēng), and Zhongli Quan by Elder Lü ( Lǚ Wēng).

The exact age of Lü Yan when this incident occurred varies in the tellings, from 20 years of age to 40.

Ten trials of Lü Dongbin

A story has it that when in Chang An, Lü was tested by Zhongli Quan ten times before Quan took him in as a disciple and Lü subsequently became immortal. These ten trials are described below.

• One day Lü came back from work and found out that his loved one was dying; without sadness or remorse, he started to prepare the dress and coffin necessary for burial, but later his loved one revived and lived on. Lü was still without sadness or joyous feeling.

• Lü was selling goods at a market and there came a buyer to bargain with him. After agreeing on the price, Lü handed him the stuff but the buyer refused to pay in full and then walked away. Lü would not argue and let him walk away.

• On the first day of the lunar calendar, Lü met with a beggar. After giving him some money, the beggar kept asking for more and threw vulgar words at him. Lü left the scene with a smile.

• Lü was once a shepherd. During his tenure a hungry tiger was eyeing the goats under his care. Lü protected the goats by sending them down to the hillside and stood in front of the Tiger. The hungry tiger was awed to see this and left without hurting Lü.

• Lü was studying at a small hut on a mountain when a beautiful woman came by and asked if she could stay there for the night since she was lost. That night, this beautiful lady was flirting and tried to get Lü to have sex with her, but Lü was untouched by such temptation.

• One day Lü came back to his house and saw that he had been burglarized and lost all his belongings. Without becoming angry he started to work on his farm. As he dug into the ground he found countless pieces of gold. He uncovered the earth without taking a single piece of the gold.

• Lü bought some bronze utensils at a market. Upon returning home he realized that all of the utensils were made of gold and he immediately returned them to the seller.

• A crazy Taoist was selling medicine on the street, telling people that his magic potion would have one of two outcomes: either 1) the drinker would die on the spot, or 2) the drinker would become immortal. No one would dare to try, except Lü, who bought and tried the potion. Nothing happened to him.

• A river was elevated due to heavy rain. Lü and other passengers were on a boat crossing the river. Before reaching the middle of the journey, the weather deteriorated, and most of the passengers except Lü became worried. Lü took it in his stride and never worried about life and death!

• Lü was alone at home and suddenly weird things happened. Ghost and monsters were killing each other and wanted to do the same to Lü. Showing no sense of fear, Lü kept on doing his chores without paying attention to them. Another group of devils with blood all over them tried to take Lü's life away by saying to Lü that he owed his previous life to them since in past life Lü took his life. Without any fear Lü said 『go ahead and take my life since I took yours in past life, this is fair and square !』 All of a sudden the sky turned blue and those ghost and devils disappeared. Zhongli Quan (Who happened to be his Teacher and Mentor in Taoist stories) was looking and laughing at him while all these events were happening.

These 10 tests proved that Lü was a pure and dignified person and Master Zhongli was very satisfied and happy to take Lü to Nan San Her Ling to pass his secret to life and subsequently formed a "Zhong-Lü Golden Dan" school of Taoism. But Lü was not too fond of the secret and instead changed his formula for inner peace and benefits more human beings; many until today practiced such path to immortals. This is his major effort and contribution. He is said to have helped many to walk the right path and improve the health and living conditions of many people.

Stories and legends

Since the Northern Song Dynasty, there have been many stories and legends that are connected to Lü Dongbin. The stories were usually about Lü helping others to learn the Tao. According to the official History of the Song Dynasty, Lü was seen several times visiting the house of Chen Tuan, who was believed to be the first person to present to the public the Taijitu.

The kindness of Lü Dongbin is demonstrated in the Chinese proverb "dog bites Lü Dongbin" ( gǒu yǎo Lǚ Dòngbīn), which means an inability to recognize goodness and repay kindness with vice. Some say that the original proverb should actually be "," stemming from a story about the friendship between the Dog and Lü Dongbin, who both did for the other great favors, each of which seemed like a disservice initially, signifying the importance of having faith in one's friends. This story is not substantiated, because Gou Miao is not mentioned in any classical text, and only popularized on the Internet.

According to Richard Wilhelm, Lü was the founder of the School of the Golden Elixir of Life (Jin Dan Jiao), and originator of the material presented in the book "Tai Yi Jin Hua Zong Zhi", or The Secret of the Golden Flower. Also, according to Daoist legend, he is the founder of the internal martial arts style called "Eight Immortals Sword", considered to be one of the martial treasures of Wudangshan.

According to one story, Lü's teacher Zhongli Quan became an immortal and was about to fly to heaven, while saying to Lü that if he kept practicing the Tao he would also be able to fly to heaven himself very soon. Lü Dongbin replied to his teacher that he'll fly to heaven only after he enlightens all the sentient beings on earth (another story says all his relatives). According to the book "The Eight Immortals Achieving the Tao," in his previous incarnation, Lü Dongbin was a Taoist master and the teacher of Zhongli Quan.

According to the Taoist book "History of the Immortals", Lü is the reincarnation of the ancient Sage-King "Huang-Tan-Shi".

According to Venerable Hsuan Hua, Lü is one of the transformations of Guanyin (Avalokiteśvara) Bodhisattva.

Lü Dongbin and White Peony (Bai Mudan)

One of most popular of Lü Dongbin's legends is his encounter with a prostitute named White Peony (Bai Mudan). The most popular version comes from the Journey to the East novel. It is said that the immortal Lü Dongbin was greatly attracted to White Peony, one of the most beautiful courtesans in Luoyang. Lü Dongbin slept with her many times but never ejaculated, because he didn't want to lose his Yang essence.

Unfortunately Lu's immortal colleague Iron-Crutch Li and He Xiangu taught Mudan how to make him ejaculate by tickling his groin. Finally White Peony successfully made Lü Dongbin ejaculate and absorbed his Yang essence. Later she cultivated herself and became immortal too.

Another version comes from Ba Xian Dedao novel. This version is more subtle and there is no sexual intercourse here. One day the immortal Lü Dongbin transforms himself into a handsome scholar and tries to advise the famous prostitute White Peony. In their first encounter White Peony seduces him passionately, but he refuses to sleep with her. In their second encounter, Lü agrees to sleep with her. But as they walk to the bed, Lü suddenly cries that his stomach is painful, and faints. White Peony is very sorry about his condition and calls a doctor using her money (despite her pimp's grumbling, who incites her to throw the sick Lü to the road). Lü (who is only pretending to be sick) is very pleased knowing Peony's merciful heart. In their third encounter, Lü Dongbin finally succeeds to persuade White Peony to leave her wayward life. She finally becomes immortal too.

In the opera version, White Peony is changed from a seductive prostitute to the daughter of a drugstore owner. One day Lü Dongbin comes to their store and makes trouble by asking for impossible medicines. Knowing her father's difficulty, Peony meets Lü and answers all of his question. From quarrelling they finally become lovers.

Modern worship

From the early 19th century on, Lüzu's messages were received through Fuji (planchette writing) (扶乩/扶箕), which led to the establishment of a network of Lüzu spirit writing halls throughout China, called Zanhuagong (贊化宮). They also offered medical oracles and healing services. Famous Zanhuagong were established in Hong Kong and Guangzhou.

In 19th- and 20th-century Guangdong, belief in the powers of Lüzu was strong. In the century after the 1840s, additional temples were founded which organized Fuji (planchette writing) seances, festivals for the birthdays of the gods, death rituals, and running schools, clinics, and disaster relief.

Media depictions

In the television show Jackie Chan Adventures, Dongbin was shown to be the immortal who sealed away Shendu, The Fire Demon.

Jackie Chan portrayed Lü Dongbin in the film The Forbidden Kingdom.

In Desolate Era, Lü Dongbin is portrayed as one of the True Yang Immortals.

尊號

民間

民間百姓敬仰呂洞賓道術高超，樂善好施，扶危濟困，故被信徒尊稱為呂仙、呂祖、呂仙祖、呂祖師、純陽祖師、孚佑帝君。北方稱之為呂仙翁，閩南、台灣民間信仰俗稱其為呂仙公，簡稱「仙公」、「仙公祖」。

扶鸞的信眾則時常稱之為呂恩主，與關帝君、張司命、王靈官、岳鄂王合稱為「五恩主」。

官方

中國歷史朝廷敕封：

宋朝：宋徽宗宣和元年封「妙道真君」（一作：妙道真人）。

元朝：元世祖至元六年封「純陽演正警化真君」，元武宗至大三年加「純陽演正警化孚佑帝君」。

宗教

道教依不同宗派而尊稱為：「雷霆太行大天師」、「靈寶純陽一炁華蓋文德掌道真君」、「廣濟正道妙通宏仁普惠帝君」、「興行妙道天尊」、「興隆大道護國濟民玄元廣法天尊」。甚至有「一陽真聖、三臺選仙、總管五雷、化育七星、高居九梵、道法玄明、仁極無上大天尊」之號。在全真道中，是五陽祖師中的純陽祖師。

普稱「玉清內相、金闕選仙、三曹主宰、興行妙道天尊、純陽演正警化孚佑帝君」。通稱為純陽祖師、孚佑帝君。

生平

范致明《岳陽風土記》記載呂洞賓出身門閥，曾祖為浙江東道節度使呂延之，祖父為禮部侍郎呂渭，父為海州刺史呂讓。

唐德宗貞元十二載丙子年（796年5月4日）生于蒲州永樂縣，禪宗馬祖道一見到就說：「此兒骨相不凡，自市風塵物處。他時遇盧則居，見鐘則扣，留心記取。」寓意是遇廬山就隱居，遇到鐘離權就出家修道。自小聰明過人，日記萬言，過目成誦，出口成章，長大後「身長八尺二寸，喜頂華陽巾，衣黃欗杉，系一皂鞗，狀類張子房，二十不娶」。

年輕時曾經兩次應考不第，後中進士，為官一段時間，曾兩度擔任縣令，不久因厭官場生活而棄官入道，隱居山林。一次游長安酒肆，遇正陽真人鐘離權。經過「十試」後，鐘離權「授以金丹之道，因得道法」。曾向鍾離權學習金丹之道、向崔希範學習內丹之法、向火龍真人學習天遁劍法、向苦竹真人學習驅使鬼神之法。

一般說法，呂洞賓五月廿日在江南四大名樓中的黃鶴樓得道飛昇，洞賓得道升仙後，嘗稱：「人能忠于國，孝友於家，信于交友，仁于待下，不慢自心，不欺暗室，方便濟物，陰騭格天，則人愛之，鬼神敬之，即此一念，已于吾同，雖不見吾，猶見吾也。」又說「能識人者為神，能自識者為仙，所謂神仙得道，於人善惡已知。善者雖不見我，如見我也；惡者見我無益。」

宋代道教學者曾慥編《集仙傳》稱唐與五代成道之士中，「獨純陽子呂公顯力廣大」。

《宋史·陳摶傳》載：呂曾「數來摶齋中」，「百餘歲而童顏，步履輕疾，頃刻數百里，世以為神仙」。

著作

《宋史‧藝文志》神仙類著錄呂洞賓《九真玉書》一卷。《全唐詩》有其詩四卷、詩二百多首。《道藏》收錄呂洞賓的傳說和署名所著的作品，集為《呂祖志》。

;《贈李德成》

九重天子寰中貴，五等諸侯門外尊。爭似布衣狂醉客，不教性命屬乾坤。

;《三醉岳陽》

朝游北海暮蒼梧，袖裏青蛇膽氣粗。三醉岳陽人不識，朗吟飛過洞庭湖。

;《題道士蔣暉壁》

醉舞高歌海上山，天瓢承露結金丹。夜深鶴透秋空碧，萬里西風一劍寒。

;《贈賈尚書》

袖裏青蛇凌白日，洞中仙果艷長春。須知物外餐霞客，不是塵中磨鏡人。

;《攬船洲》

笑拋漁艇入蒼茫，豈意壺中歲月長。歸到荒洲無覓處，萋萋芳草對斜陽。

;《煉丹臺》

誰築斯臺學煉丹，丹成飛上紫雲端。空餘遺址在人世，滿目青山碧草寒。

;《宿州天慶觀殿門留贈符離道士》

秋景蕭條葉亂飛，庭松風裏坐移時，雲迷鶴駕何方去，仙洞朝元失我期。

;《登樓詩》

獨上高樓望八都，墨雲散盡月輪孤，茫茫宇宙人無數，幾個男兒是丈夫。

;《歸鶴峰》

鶴歸華表幾千年，雞犬隨丹盡上天。開遍碧桃春不老，千岩萬壑鎖蒼煙。

;《呈鍾離雲房》

生在儒家遇太平，懸纓重滯布衣輕。誰能世上爭名利，臣事玉皇歸上清。

;《題黃鶴樓石照》

黃鶴樓中吹笛時，白蘋紅蓼滿江湄，衷情欲訴無人識，只有清風明月知。

;《題沈東老壁》

西鄰已富憂不足，東老雖貧樂有餘。白酒釀來緣好客，黃金散盡為收書。

;《吾家本住在天齊》

吾家本住在天齊，零落白雲鎖石梯。來往八千消半日，依前歸路不曾迷。

;《粗眉卓豎語如雷》

粗眉卓豎語如雷，聞說不平便棄盃。仗劍當空千里去，一更別我二更回。

;《贈羅浮道士》

羅浮道士誰同流，草衣木食輕四侯。世間甲子管不得，壼裏乾坤得自由。數著殘棋江月曉，一聲長嘯海山秋。飲餘回首話歸路，遙指白雲天際頭。

;《答僧見》

三千里外無家客，七百年前雲水身。行滿蓬萊為別館，道成瓦礫盡黃金。待賓榼裏常存酒，化藥爐中別有春。積德求師何患少，由來天地不私親。

;《贈劍客》

髮頭滴血眼如鐶，吐氣雲生怒世間。爭耐不平千古事，須期一訣蕩兇頑。蛟龍斬處翻滄海，暴虎除時拔遠山。為滅世情兼負義，劍光星染點痕斑。

;《世上何人會此言》

世上何人會此言，休將名利挂心田。等閑倒盡十分酒，遇興高吟一百篇。物外煙霞為伴侶，壺中日月任嬋娟。他時功滿歸何處，直駕雲車入洞天。

;《遙指高峰笑一聲》

遙指高峰笑一聲，紅霞紫霧面前生。每於廛市無人識，長到山中有鶴行。時弄玉蟾驅鬼魅，夜煎金鼎煮瓊英。他時若赴蓬萊洞，知我仙家有姓名。

;《公卿雖貴不曾酬》

公卿雖貴不曾酬，說著仙鄉便去遊。為討石肝逢蜃海，因尋甜雪過瀛州。山川醉後壺中放，神鬼閑來匣裏收。據見目前無箇識，不如杯酒混凡流。

;《豪華去後行人絕》

豪華去後行人絕，簫箏不響歌喉咽。雄劍無威光彩沈，寶琴零落金星滅。玉階寂寞墜秋露，月照當時歌舞處。當時歌舞人不回，化為今日西陵灰。

;《巴陵留詩》

暫別蓬萊海上游，偶逢太守問根由。身居北斗星杓下，劍挂南宮月角頭。道我醉來真個醉，不知愁是怎生愁。相逢何事不相認，卻駕白雲歸去休。

;《百字銘》

養氣忘言守，降心為不為，動靜知宗祖，無事更尋誰。

真常須應物，應物要不迷，不迷自性住，性住氣自回。

氣回丹自結，壺中配坎離，陰陽生反覆，普化一聲雷。

白雲朝頂上，甘露灑須彌，自飲長生酒，逍遙誰得知。

坐聽無弦曲，明通造化機，都來二十句，端的上天梯。

;《沁園春》

暮宿蒼梧，朝游蓬島，朗吟飛過洞庭邊。醉岳陽，玉山作枕，容我高眠。

出入無蹤，往來不定，半是瘋狂半是顛。隨身用：提籃背劍，貨賣雲煙。

人間飄蕩無數年，曾占東華第一筵。推倒玉樓種奇樹；黃河放淺栽金蓮。

捽碎珊瑚，翻身北海，稽首玉皇高座前。無難事：功成八百，行滿三千。

形象與職能

呂仙形象多變，有著儒服讀書，有著道袍飲酒、亦有戴笠折柳，甚至有戎裝乘馬者；在今日最經典的形象多半是年約三、四十歲，穿著青色道袍，手持拂塵，另一手平放或捏劍訣（伸出食指、中指），寶劍懸於腰間或負於背後。

• 醫神：由於呂仙擅於煉丹，時常濟世救人，被認為有醫神的性質。

• 武神：呂仙曾習「天遁劍法」，手持神劍，能降妖伏魔，亦能「飛劍」而出，有武神的性質。

• 雷神：呂仙曾習雷法，能掌管五雷元帥，呼風喚雨。

• 科考之神：呂仙本為文士，曾舉進士，士人學子將呂仙與文昌君、魁星、關帝君、朱衣神合奉，稱「五文昌」，相傳能保佑文運，金榜題名。有時，呂仙與其屬神孔融、駱賓王合祀，號稱三恩師。

• 託夢之神：俗說呂仙以黃粱夢點醒趕赴科舉的盧生，故向呂仙祈求之後，許多人會在廟中或神像旁睡覺，期待呂仙示夢於人。

• 財神、淘金、礦業之神：一些金礦工人或生意人相傳鍾離權、呂純陽師徒能「點石成金」，故奉二仙為保護神、財神。如臺灣新北市瑞芳區九份一帶，即有奉祀呂仙的廟宇，如金山佛堂等。

• 理髮師之守護神：相傳明太祖朱元璋因頭上爛瘡劇痛難忍，常殺理髮師洩憤，而呂仙化身理髮師將朱元璋治好，救了不少理髮師性命，故被理髮業者奉為保護神。另說則是一棵柳樹修道成仙，作弄理髮師，頭髮即剃即長。呂仙化身理髮師，以寶劍化作剃刀，將柳仙降伏。

• 文具（墨、硯等）業者之守護神：范致明《岳陽風土記》載，呂仙得道後曾假扮墨、紙販子混居市上。另外，宋代有知名呂姓道人專製硯、墨，蘇東坡曰：「澤州呂道人沈泥硯，多作投壺樣。其首有呂字，非刻非畫，堅致可以試金。道人已死，硯漸難得。」民間相傳該呂姓奉祀「回道人」呂祖師為守護神。而後廣傳於世。

• 青樓之守護神：某些娼妓也以呂純陽為祖師，因為呂仙可保佑平安。據說是源自呂仙遊走市井，點化娼妓，並為妓女治療惡疾。

• 斬「爛桃花」之神：臺灣民眾相信呂祖師神劍能斬「爛桃花」，只要是有緣無份，最後無法成連理的情侶偕同赴廟，將會分手。故情侶一般不敢同赴呂祖廟。近日外遇風氣盛行，竟有許多元配正妻來祈求呂祖師，將夫婿的孽緣斬斷。民俗專家蒲慶峰表示，因為呂洞賓是劍神，配有桃木劍，神明慈悲為懷，只斬爛桃花，結婚的夫妻是正緣，不在呂洞賓斬桃花的對象。木柵指南宮廟方則說，所以若信眾有感情糾紛，可來廟中參拜，求得和諧。

• 亦有市井謠說呂仙因追求其他女神失利，而不滿入廟參拜的情侶，正一道道長指出：「呂祖師已然得道，無欲無求，焉有可能踏入情場？又神以慈悲為懷，豈有可能降禍於入廟的信徒？」臺北市木柵指南宮廟方人員則批評為「無稽之談」。指南宮廟方解釋：「何仙姑是呂洞賓渡化成仙的徒弟，沒有民間傳說想像中的兒女私情」；主委黃承國表示：「民間傳說有誤，成為神明者都是與人為善，不會拆散別人的姻緣。」

從神

南宮柳真君、張祖師、駱恩師、孔恩師、李先師、羅真人、阮太子、穆尊者等。

由於四大元帥信仰的流行，民間也常把王元帥、馬元帥等神靈配祀於呂祖。

柳真君的來由說法主要有三，第一是相傳有一棵柳樹受日月精華而修道成仙，特別喜愛作弄理髮師，頭髮即剃即長。呂仙化身理髮師以寶劍化剃刀，將柳仙降伏。第二說是柳真君本名叫「郭棨」，小名「郭寄」，是呂祖師同鄉，永樂縣人，曾為呂祖師的書僮，因喜愛植柳而號「柳青」、「青青子」，呂祖直接稱其為「柳棨」，呂祖成仙後授予內丹之法而得道，故昇仙後信徒敬稱為「柳真君」，久而久之則誤以為是柳樹得道，故以青面塑其像。第三說是柳真君是柳宿的星君。也有二三說合併的，說是柳宿的星君下凡，轉世為「柳棨」。

張祖師據說名叫張延鞭，是元朝末年陳友諒的軍師，專精觀星、堪輿，因望氣見朱元璋，知是真命天子，於是辭官退隱，在臨濟宗法門出家，但精修三教，在呂祖師的點化下改為道士而得道。後來成為呂祖師的從神，木柵指南宮的地理位置就是張祖師擇定的，信眾尊稱張祖師為「護國禪師」。

傳說

呂祖的傳奇可說是道教神仙中最多者，南宋《夷堅志》一書就收錄了近三十條。其他諸如救人濟世、拔劍助弱、斬妖除魔、點化迷途等，多不勝數。《呂祖志》中說，其師正陽真人鐘離權將升天，呂祖曰：「喦之志，異于先生，須度盡天下眾生，方上升未晚也。」從此，歷史上關于呂祖現身度化、濟困助人的傳說絡繹不絕。

民間的呂祖，是「八仙」中最富傳奇色彩的人物。五代以後，一直有人借呂祖的名義出山，讓他的傳說更加豐富及神奇，比如「呂洞賓四下鶴城」、「呂洞賓賣湯糰」、「呂洞賓黃粱夢度盧生」等。

曾三次在岳陽樓喝醉，人稱「呂洞賓三醉岳陽樓」，在岳陽樓題詩曰：「朝游北海暮蒼梧，袖裏青蛇膽氣粗。三醉岳陽人不識，朗吟飛過洞庭湖。」經過佛寺，題壁曰：「三千里外無家客，七百年前雲水身。行滿蓬萊為別館，道成瓦礫盡黃金。待賓榼裏常存酒，化藥爐中別有春。積德求師何患少，由來天地不私親。」後又書：「唐室進士，今時神仙。足躡紫霧，卻歸洞天。」曾經在湖州沈東老家留宿，狂飲之後消失不見，以石榴皮題壁曰：「西鄰已富憂不足，東老雖貧樂有餘。白酒釀來緣好客，黃金散盡為收書。」也曾經化身為磨鏡者，為賈尚書磨古鏡，突然消失，留下絕句《贈賈尚書》一首：「袖裏青蛇凌白日，洞中仙果艷長春。須知物外餐霞客，不是塵中磨鏡人。」

北宋開始，民間關于呂祖的傳說愈來愈多。苗善時收編為《純陽帝君神化妙通紀》。傳說呂祖曾師苦竹真君，習得日月交拜之法；又游廬山，遇火龍真人鄭思遠（葛玄弟子），習得天遁劍法，民間甚至傳說呂祖身有飛劍，可飛出千里尋人並將其斬首。

南宋吳曾所撰的《能改齋漫錄》卷十八中記有呂祖自傳。據說呂洞賓曾自言：「世言吾飛劍取人頭，吾甚哂之。實有三劍，一斷無明煩惱，二斷無明嗔怒，三斷無明貪慾。」《唐才子傳》呂祖說：「吾仙人，安用劍為？所以斷嗔愛煩惱耳。」

正陽渡純陽

呂純陽在長安酒肆遇正陽真人鐘離權，純陽理解到正陽是仙人，於是寫下一首詩：「生在儒家遇太平，懸纓重滯布衣輕。誰能世上爭名利，臣事玉皇歸上清。」正陽見此詩大喜，收呂為徒，且對呂有「十試」的考驗，是為「正陽渡純陽」：

第一試：呂純陽一日外出回來，突見親人悉皆病死，純陽既不悲傷也不悔恨，只管置辦壽衣、棺木，準備喪事。不一會兒，親人又全都活過來，純陽無哀喜之情。

第二試：純陽上街賣貨，與買主討價還價後說好了價錢，但買主又反悔變卦，只付給一半價錢，純陽不惱，讓買主大搖大擺地把貨物拿走。

第三試：春節正月初一，純陽正欲出門，遇一乞丐倚門乞討，純陽急施財物，但乞丐卻沒完沒了，一討再討，口出穢言，純陽只是滿臉堆笑。

第四試：純陽牧羊山中，忽遇一餓虎追捕羊群。純陽保護羊群下坡躲避，自己上前以身擋虎，老虎見之悻悻而去。

第五試：純陽居山中茅庵讀書，忽然來了一個美女，聲稱自己迷路前來求宿。繼而，這女子百般挑逗，夜逼共寢，純陽始終神態自若。

第六試：純陽一日外出歸來，發現家中遭竊，財產遭洗劫一空，純陽沒有頹喪，沒有報官，乃躬耕自鋤。鋤地時忽然挖出十幾錠黃金，純陽趕緊用土掩埋，分毫未取。

第七試：純陽一次上街買些銅器，回到家中一看，全都是金器，純陽馬上退還給貨主。

第八試：有個癲狂道士在街巷裡賣藥，聲稱服者立死，來世可以得道。人們聽了，誰個肯自尋死路？純陽不信邪，買回服之，安然無恙。

第九試：河水泛濫，純陽與眾人乘舟渡河，行至中游，狂風暴作，波濤洶湧，眾人驚懼，唯純陽神態自若，端然不動，視生死於度外。

第十試：純陽獨坐室中，忽見無數奇形怪狀的妖魔鬼怪欲殺欲打，純陽毫不畏懼。又一群夜叉押著一個血淋淋的死囚前來索命：「你前世殺了我，今當還命！」純陽道：「殺人償命，欠債還錢。」神態自若，端然不動。忽然見空中大喝一聲，鬼怪皆無。一人撫掌大笑，卻是正陽真人鐘離權。

十試中，純陽皆無得失心，以平常心態對待，鐘離權極為滿意。帶著純陽至終南山鶴嶺傳以靈寶秘法、上真秘法，共同開創了鐘呂金丹派。

但純陽不執著於煉丹、點石成金的法術，改「丹鉛」與「黃白之術」為內丹之功，只以慈悲度世為成道路徑。修仙成功後，時常下山雲遊四方，為百姓解除疾病，不要任何報酬。

（一說正陽真人鐘離權的師傅東華帝君是純陽真人呂洞賓的前身。該說法多見明清章回小說以及降筆揮鸞的勸善文中，如《八仙得道傳》、《東遊記》等。另據《歷代神仙通鑑》，呂洞賓是上古聖王「皇覃氏」轉世。）

呂洞賓收徒

呂洞賓修道成仙百多年，有一天心血來潮來到人間，觀察過好幾萬人，最後發現三人跟他有緣，包括一個商人，一個官員，還有一個農夫。於是呂用法力把三人送到一座廢棄的道觀，在表明身份後說自己要煉一顆仙丹，誰出力最多就把仙丹送給他。商人搶著砍柴，官員搶著看火，農夫認為自己不可能成仙得道，就打算默默助人，於是幫商人砍柴。商人認為農夫是來搶工作的，便大聲呵斥農夫，農夫就將每一棵樹砍一大半，這樣商人只須輕輕一推就可以把樹砍斷，功勞還是商人的。農夫砍得差不多了，又回去幫官員把柴薪抱到丹爐的爐口，這樣官員就只要專心看顧爐火，不必走路，農夫在背後默默幫助他們。就這樣，一共工作了七七四十九天，仙丹煉製完成。呂洞賓要三人自評功過，商人跟官員爭功諉過，呂洞賓不發一語，輕輕一拋，這顆仙丹就進了農夫口中。呂洞賓對商人和官員說：「農夫默默付出，不計較得失，是真有悟性的人。而你各位搶著幹活，無非是想要得到這枚仙丹，這代表著你們心裡的貪念未除，怎麼能得道飛升呢？」說完大袖一揮，將其它兩人送回原處，帶著農夫飛到天上去。

煉丹救瘟疫

傳說元代黃河水災，瘟疫頻傳時，有一醫者發丹與民，服食者皆生，救人無數，人問其名，對曰：「二口子」，問其居處，對曰：「山下石。」問其鄉貫，對曰：「山窟鄉客」。言畢即去。「二口子，山下石。」呂岩也，「山窟鄉客」洞賓也。

真武借飛劍

真武大帝得道，打算收服原屬於自己，趁機四處作祟的龜仙及蛇仙。就向呂祖借其聞名遐邇的「飛劍」，以將兩仙鎮壓（一說是向保生大帝吳真人借），收服龜蛇畢，為了怕龜蛇兩仙不受控制，真武大帝時時刻刻緊握寶劍，再也不肯還呂祖。這就是民間塑像中，真武大帝總是赤腳踏著龜蛇，手緊握著無鞘劍之原因：假如真武大帝一放下飛劍，飛劍就會自動飛回呂祖的劍鞘。但這僅是民間謠言，道教說法中真武大帝得道時間早呂洞賓近千年，借劍傳說實為謬傳，不足採信。

狗咬呂洞賓

狗咬呂洞賓，不識好人心。傳說呂洞賓有一次以包子餵狗，卻反被狗咬。比喻「不識好壞，不分好歹」的意思。

《八仙得道傳》小說中，二郎真君的哮天犬下凡作亂，被呂洞賓以法寶「布畫」收服，呂洞賓怕哮天犬死於畫中，於是把哮天犬放出，孰料哮天犬反將呂洞賓咬了一口而逃逸。

蘇州的傳說則是：呂洞賓修成道法後途經吳淞江邊，見江上有一具男子的浮屍，江邊有一病危將死的狗，他屈指一算，認為只要把該人跟狗的心臟交換，就可以讓兩者皆生。於是呂將狗一劍剖開，取出心臟，又把死屍撈上來，由其嘴中置入狗心，但尚未取男子之心，該男子即甦醒，破口大罵：「我跳水自殺，你為何要救我？你是在害我！」又跳下江裏自殺。呂洞賓救援不及，只好用泥土捏個心臟，吹口仙氣，化為「狗心」，填在狗身體中，把傷口填平，狗隨即精神抖擻。呂洞賓歡喜離去時，卻被活過來的狗追咬。這故事可能源於《列子》中扁鵲為魯國的公扈與趙國的齊嬰交換心臟的故事。

而今日網路上有一謠言，解釋為呂有一好友「茍杳」（音同「狗咬」），呂怕「茍杳」結婚後，會與嬌妻日夜纏綿而放棄課業，於是假意搗亂他的婚事。「茍杳」本來很生氣，但意會後終於開始苦讀，中了進士。而呂家失火，「茍杳」想送錢資助，卻將銀兩裝在棺木裏，嚇唬呂的親人，害呂的親人以為呂已經過世。「茍杳、呂洞賓」兩人互相幫助，卻互相誤會對方的用心，所以「不識好人心」。惟此「茍杳」不見於任何古籍，應為現代有心人士穿鑿附會。

純陽呂公祖墓之謎

2017年6月21日在山西發現「大唐純陽呂公祖墓」，被發現與年約20歲女子合葬，從骨架的排列來看，墓葬沒有遷移過，古墓中陪葬有宋代的銅錢，有開關通寶4枚；祥符通寶2枚；女屍口中含天聖通寶。這些銅錢與唐史中記載的呂洞賓活動時間相差了200年，可能是其他道教道士或居士的墳墓被誤會。

傳說真偽辯証

根據《傳聞正誤》一書，有不少對真偽傳說的辯証。在全真道道士的信仰中，呂祖師不食肉，更別說殺生了，而且不近女色。呂祖曾降乩作《題鳳翔天慶觀》詩自辯曰：「得道年來八百秋，不曾飛劍斬人頭。玉皇未有天符至，且貨烏金混世流。」清康熙年間，呂祖嘗於黃鶴樓降乩曰：「世傳飛劍斬黃龍，乃宋散仙——顏洞賓也，豈有上真而嗔惱不除者乎？」

顏洞賓與呂洞賓的事蹟常被混淆，明朝的王崇簡《冬夜箋記》也考証出：「俗傳洞賓戲妓女白牡丹，乃宋人顏洞賓，非純陽也。」楊良弼則說：「祖嘗言『吾道雖於房中得之，卻非御女之術。』一言已破千古之疑。凡若此者，以偽亂真，皆呂祖之罪人也。」

楊良弼認為，呂祖清心修道，必斷女色。若胡亂傳言，則是「呂祖之罪人」。另方察之，「十試」之中，呂祖女色且已斷，得道之後，又如何「三戲名妓白牡丹」？世人時常混淆呂祖與其他人的事蹟，尤其是與呂祖表字相近的「顏洞賓」。

呂祖的勝蹟

中國大陸

山西芮城永樂宮

祀奉呂祖的永樂宮在山西芮城縣，唐時為河中府永樂縣，傳為呂祖的出生地，乃就其宅建「呂公祠」，金末擴建為道觀。元初毀于火，隨即重建，歷時十餘年元中統三年（1262年）改名大純陽萬壽宮，後稱永樂宮，為全真教三大祖庭之一。

近覽內外宮牆環峙，略似紫禁城格局。宮內主體建築5座，宮門、龍虎殿（無極門）、三清殿（無極殿）、純陽殿（混成殿亦稱呂祖殿）、重陽殿（七真殿亦稱襲明殿）都垂直地排列在中軸線上。除宮門為清代建築外，其餘四座都是元代建築中的優秀遺構。各殿塑像早已不存，僅留三清殿扇面牆背後的「太乙救苦天尊」元代彩塑1尊。各殿四壁滿繪精美的元代壁畫，總面積1005.68平方米，有確切年代可考並留有畫師姓名。

1959年，因該地被圈為三門峽水庫庫區，遂由政府將全部建築和壁畫等珍貴文物遷移至今芮城縣北的龍泉村。1961年列為全國重點文物保護單位。

山西太原市純陽宮

山西太原市純陽宮建于明神宗萬曆年間，清高宗乾隆間增築巍閣三層。宮有四座院落，為呂祖殿、方形單間迴廊亭及巍閣。呂祖殿為主殿。巍閣最高，登閣能環眺太原市內景色。宮中還有一關帝君立馬銅像。

陝西西安市八仙宮

八仙宮又名「萬壽八仙宮」，位於陝西西安市東關長樂坊，相傳是呂祖飲酒遇仙的長安酒肆遺址。八仙宮山門牌樓左側豎有「呂洞賓成道碑」，碑上隸書「長安酒肆」，楷書「呂純陽先生遇漢鐘離先生成道處」。

內蒙古包頭市呂祖廟

妙法禪寺俗稱呂祖廟，位于內蒙古包頭市東河區呂祖廟街，始建于清咸豐末年，占地120畝，起初只是一個小廟，同治五年（1866年）擴建，曾被稱為包頭「十大寺廟之一」。

在「文化大革命」十年動亂中，破壞慘重，僧眾被驅離，寺院被瓜分占用。近年經過多次修複和擴建，已建成山門（天王殿）、大雄寶殿、觀音殿、地藏殿、祖師殿、念佛堂、禪堂、五百羅漢堂及僚房500餘間，寺院現已成為包頭市重要的旅遊參觀景點之一。

2008年5月28日，因為包頭市大風起火，部分大殿遭火災燒毀，但呂祖廟殿安然無恙。

河北邯鄲縣黃粱夢鎮呂仙祠

位於河北省邯鄲黃粱夢鎮的呂仙祠為河北省文物保護單位，始建於北宋，據說黃粱夢的故事發生於此，故信眾踴躍擴建。清仁宗嘉慶年間大修過後，目前佔地已經達到9.4公頃，主要有三大殿，供奉八仙之首鍾離權的正陽殿、主殿純陽殿和有描述黃粱夢故事壁畫與主角盧生臥像的盧生殿。

北京呂祖宮

北京呂祖宮，現為北京市道教協會的所在地，是北京市道教協會僅有的兩座道觀之一。位于北京複興門內北順城街十五號。坐西朝東。山門內西為火神殿三間，北為文昌殿三間，南為呂祖閣三間，火神殿後有娘娘殿三間，是一座小型道教宮觀，為北京西城區重點保護文物。呂祖宮最早是建于明代的「火神廟」，清文宗咸豐年間，道教居士葉合仁出資將火神廟重修為「燕京純陽宮」，即今日呂祖宮。

北京廣福觀

北京廣福觀又稱燕京孚佑宮，建於明英宗天順三年（1459年），明朝管理全國道教的機構「道錄司」曾設於此，閣臣李東陽有詩「飛樓凌倒影，下照清澈底」詠之。中華人民共和國時期，宮觀遭到民眾佔用，變成飯館、酒吧等，2007年才遭公家收回，重建殿宇。

蘇州福濟觀

蘇州福濟觀位於吳門，奉祀呂祖師，相傳凡久病不癒的信眾，來此祭神則能速癒，故人稱「神醫院」或「天醫院」，每年四月十四呂祖師生日，眾人都來此「軋神仙」（「軋」，推擠之意，指擠著求神），故此地又稱「神仙廟」。

湖南岳陽市呂洞賓遺蹟

湖南洞庭湖畔岳陽市留有不少呂仙遺蹟。這裡有專祠呂洞賓「真像」的呂公庵，有其「招蛇化劍」的白鶴池，城南度柳的「呂公洞」，還有其親題的「詩壁」，親作《自記》的石刻等。而江南四大名樓之一的岳陽樓，其主樓之右有座「三醉亭」，即因「呂洞賓三醉岳陽樓」的傳說而得名。傳呂祖為此寫下了：「朝游岳鄂暮蒼梧、袖裏青蛇膽氣粗。三醉岳陽人不識，朗吟飛過洞庭湖」而建的，另說呂仙《沁園春》一詞：「暮宿蒼梧，朝游蓬島，朗吟飛過洞庭邊。岳陽樓酒醉，借玉山作枕，容我高眠。」

四川新津縣純陽觀

新津純陽觀又稱「古今天下第一忠孝儒林」，距成都38公里，占地120畝，為四川重點文物保護單位。「大忠亭」塑有歷代儒家忠臣像。「至孝亭」塑的是傳統的二十四孝像，並留有大量名家詩文、碑刻和楹聯。儒道釋三教並存一地。

廣東廣州市純陽觀

純陽觀位于廣州市海珠區五鳳村漱珠崗上，坐北向南，是廣州道教兩大道場之一。一是三元宮，二是純陽觀。廣州道教中人素有「北到三元宮，南去純陽觀」之說。

香港

香港新界雲泉仙館

雲泉仙館是道教純陽派的道觀，主奉呂祖師，位於香港新界北區打鼓嶺坪洋村坪輋路。雲泉仙館原本位於廣東省西樵山，惟西樵山於1938年抗日戰爭中陷落，仙館諸道友遷至香港，後於1944年於德輔道西立館。1975年購得坪輋園林而定址。雲泉仙館豎有華表並有「道德經碑」，「陶塑八仙圖壁」、「隸書呂祖百字碑」等塑物，是香港著名的廟宇、名勝，香火鼎盛。

台灣

台北木柵指南宮

指南宮俗稱「木柵仙公廟」，位于台灣台北市文山區木柵萬壽路115號，是台灣道教聖地之一。清光緒八年1882年，艋舺縣丞王斌林迎山西芮城永樂宮呂祖神像香火奉於艋舺（今台北萬華區），頗負盛名。後景尾（今台北文山區景美）瘟疫，景尾士紳迎呂祖神像奉祀，疫情漸穩，且呂祖神威不斷，信眾所求常遂，有多年不育而得子或目盲復明等靈蹟。1890年在木柵指南山建廟，稱「指南宮」。「指南宮」之名，乃取「呂祖在天庭居于南宮」、「濟世度人須用指南針」之意。指南宮按照呂祖「三教合流」的思想，殿堂設置以道教為中心，兼祀儒、釋二教聖賢。

台北景美仙跡岩

仙跡岩是位於台灣台北市文山區溪子口山的一塊大岩石，傳說呂洞賓曾在此留下足跡，於1952年8月24日（農曆）正殿初建完成。

台北大龍峒覺修宮

覺修宮俗稱「大龍峒仙公廟」，位於台灣台北市重慶北路，明治卅五年（1902年），善信由淡水行忠堂分香，創建樂善社，主要奉祀孚佑帝君（呂仙公），扶鸞濟世。大正三年（1914年），獲得檀越陳悅記家族的協助，遷徙到港仔墘（今日延平北路四段附近），改稱「臺北覺修堂」，大正六年（1917年）重修，改稱覺修宮。臺北行天宮的五恩主乃由本廟分香。

三重太璞宮

太璞宮俗稱「三重仙公廟」，位於台灣新北市三重區中正北路，大正五年禮迎觀音山本圓大師為主持，大正六年（1917年）正式竣成，因奉祀孚佑帝君仙公呂仙祖，便被當地人稱為仙公廟。

中和烘爐地竟南宮

竟南宮俗稱「烘爐地仙公廟」，位於中和區烘爐地山，地址為臺灣新北市中和區興南路二段399巷136號。為中和地方居士呂登標與從兄弟等人，創廟於明治卅一年（1898年），原稱「恆升堂」，奉祀全真派祖師呂純陽真人，為鄉親扶鸞解惑，而後在中和烘爐地今址建廟。

汐止拱北殿

拱北殿俗稱「汐止仙公廟」

• ，位於新北市汐止區汐萬路，明治卅四年（1901年），水返腳（今汐止）北港地區居民由木柵仙公廟（指南宮）分香孚佑帝君神像，建「北港鸞堂」，為鄉親扶鸞解惑。明治卅九年（1906年），奉神降鸞指示，乩童以手掌擊破神案，神諭在三秀山建廟，歷經多次整修，廟貌巍峨。近日流傳，為賞楓知名景點。

台南東山孚佑宮

孚佑宮又名「青山仙公廟」，位於臺南市東山區崁頭山西側山腰。廟位在東山前大埔進去之高縱崁頭山峰，擁有雙龍塔、雙龍穴、風動石、白猴洞、冷風洞、熱風洞、石鏡、石仙公等八景名勝匯合而成，風光綺麗，地理奇觀，氣候溫和，為避暑佳地。峰上暸覽四周，五景八彩畫入眼簾．為臺灣名剎之一。

高雄鳳山鎮南宮

鎮南宮俗稱「鳳山仙公廟」，位于臺灣高雄市鳳山區國泰路一段220號，清乾隆年間，鄉民於鳳山縣新城內結庵奉祀呂純陽祖師等神，以求平安，因靈跡頗聞，又居交通要道，往來官民皆虔誠祭祀，香火鼎盛。後屢經整修，廟貌壯麗。

新北萬里永德寶宮

道光山永德寶宮位於新北市萬里區烏塗炭9號，於1977年五月基礎完成，座落地點處於新北市萬里區和台北市士林區的交界，陽明山國家管理處後方，路程上未有清楚指示牌，但也因如此，據聞起造人呂平田第三代子孫，已在2016年開始贈與寺廟奇珍老樹，並種植日本垂櫻，綠美化週邊環境，再規劃整建寺廟，預計在2020年能配合內政部宗教管理辦法，成立財團法人道光山永德寶宮基金會。

台東三仙台

三仙台位於臺東縣成功鎮東北方的三仙台，全島面積約22公頃，民間相傳，八仙過海時，李鐵拐、何仙姑和呂洞賓曾在此休憩，烙印了仙跡，因此取名為三仙台。

影視作品

註腳