This particular Immortal is sometimes depicted as a female and sometimes as a male. Ho Xian Gu is the only true woman of the group and is perceived as being very wise and a good organizer. Having eaten a supernatural peach, she became a fairy wondering the hills. It is said that once she was in danger of being overcome by a demon, but Lu Dong Bin saved her using his magic sword. It is thought that she is the one who pulled the other Immortals together to create the Eight Immortals Sword and that she herself was chosen to set the pattern for the form.
Every form has a particular pattern.
The organization skills of Ho Xian Gu remind us to adhere to natural patterns and rhythms in martial arts practice. Xiao Xiang Zi was the son of a famous scholar and it is believed that he could make flowers grow and blossom instantly. He was student of Lu Dong Bin, who took him to the supernatural peach tree to become Immortal. His emblem is the flute and he is the patron saint of musicians. It is said that whenever he was given money, he scattered it about on the ground because he had no need for it.