Ge Hong Presenting the Elixir

Ge Hong Presenting the Elixir

Ge Hong Presenting the Elixir is located in the Nanshuiyuan Scenic Area. Ge Hong, one of the founders of the Taoist alchemical tradition known as the Dan Ding School, is revered as the founding figure of Mount Sanqing and is highly respected there. From 357 to 361 AD, Ge Hong traveled through Mount Sanqing, where he built a hermitage and practiced Taoism. Traces of his alchemical activities during that time can still be found at the Sanqing Blessed Land. The summit of this peak is uniquely shaped…

Ge Hong was a renowned physician of the Eastern Jin Dynasty in China, with the courtesy name Zichuan and the self-styled name Baopuzi. He was from Jurong, Danyang (now part of Jiangsu Province), and is considered a pioneer of preventive medicine. He authored the "Handbook of Prescriptions for Emergencies" (Zhouhou Beiji Fang), which contains some of the earliest recorded descriptions of infectious diseases such as smallpox and scrub typhus, along with their symptoms and treatments. The work also includes the world’s first record of smallpox, referred to as "heavenly eruption spotted sores." Ge Hong also made significant contributions to alchemy. His alchemical text, "Baopuzi·Inner Chapters," details various aspects of chemical knowledge related to the production of elixirs and gold and silver compounds, and introduces many material properties and transformations. For example, the phrase "cinnabar, when burned, turns into mercury, and when mercury combines with sulfur, it transforms back into cinnabar" describes the reversible chemical reaction of heating mercuric sulfide (cinnabar) to release mercury, and then recombining mercury with sulfur to regenerate black mercuric sulfide, which can then revert to red cinnabar. Another example, "applying verdigris to iron turns the iron red like copper," illustrates the displacement reaction where iron replaces copper. The painting "Ge Zhichuan Moving House" was created by the Yuan Dynasty artist Wang Meng and is housed in the Palace Museum. The artwork "Figure Painting: Ge Xian Spitting Fire" was painted by the Ming Dynasty artist Guo Xu and is kept in the Shanghai Museum.

Ge Hong inherited and transformed the early Taoist theories of immortality. In the "Baopuzi·Inner Chapters," he not only comprehensively summarized pre-Jin Dynasty theories of immortals but also systematically compiled the methods of immortality practices prior to the Jin Dynasty, including meditation, breath control, daoyin (physical exercises), and sexual arts. At the same time, he integrated these practices with Confucian ethics, emphasizing that “those who seek immortality must take loyalty, filial piety, harmony, benevolence, and trustworthiness as their foundation. Without cultivating virtue, and focusing solely on techniques, one cannot achieve longevity.” He merged these ethical teachings with Taoist commandments, requiring followers to strictly adhere to them. He stated: “Reviewing all Taoist commandments, none fail to say that those who seek longevity must accumulate good deeds, show compassion to all things, forgive others as they would themselves, extend kindness even to insects, rejoice in others’ joy, pity others’ suffering, help those in urgent need, rescue those in poverty, refrain from harming life with one’s hands, avoid encouraging disaster with one’s words, regard others’ gains as one’s own, and others’ losses as one’s own. One should not consider oneself superior, not boast, not envy those more capable, not flatter or scheme in secret. Only then can one be considered virtuous, receive blessings from heaven, succeed in all endeavors, and hope to attain immortality.” He advocated that inner cultivation for immortality is Taoist, while outward engagement with the world follows Confucian principles.

In the "Baopuzi·Outer Chapters," he focused on the successes and failures of human affairs and the evaluation of worldly matters. He advocated for the use of severe punishments to govern chaotic times and promoted strict legal codes. He sought to rectify the times and assist the world, drawing from a variety of schools of thought including Confucianism, Mohism, Logicians, and Legalism, while upholding the emperor as divine. Dissatisfied with the metaphysical discussions of the Wei and Jin periods, he argued for the equal importance of literature and virtue, stating that writings should contribute to moral education. Guided by his belief that refining and consuming golden elixirs could lead to immortality, Ge Hong conducted alchemical experiments for many years. Through his practice, he accumulated extensive experience and gained insights into certain material properties and chemical reactions.

In the "Baopuzi·Inner Chapters," particularly in the sections "The Golden Elixir" and "Yellow and White," he systematically reviewed the achievements of alchemy prior to the Jin Dynasty, introduced specific alchemical methods, documented numerous ancient alchemical texts and techniques, outlined the historical development of Chinese alchemy, and provided valuable material for the study of primitive experimental chemistry. His work had a profound influence on the development of alchemy during the Sui and Tang Dynasties, making him a prominent figure who bridged past and future in the history of alchemy.

Address: Within Mount Sanqing Scenic Area, Shangrao City

Type: Mountain

Recommended Visiting Time: About 1 hour

Ticket Information:

No separate ticket required. Included in the Mount Sanqing Scenic Area ticket.

Mount Sanqing

Sanqing Palace

Sanqing Blessed Land

Guanyin Appreciating the Music at Mount Sanqing

Jade Maiden Opening Her Heart

Golden Sand Cableway

Sunshine Coast Scenic Area

Three Cave Entrances of Mount Sanqing

Tiyun Ridge

Nanshuiyuan

Yujing Peak

Yuling Temple of Mount Sanqing

Shigu Ridge

Xihuatai of Mount Sanqing

West Coast

Old Taoist Worshiping the Moon at Mount Sanqing

Longevity Park Scenic Area

Goddess of Spring