Clerics › Religious Figure

Chen Tuan

Daoist recluse of the Five Dynasties and early Song, courtesy name Tunan, titled Master Xiyi; he lived on Mount Hua, was known for his sleeping practice, and is credited with shaping Song diagram-based Yijing learning.

Also known as Tunan · Fuyaozi · Master Xiyi · Master Baiyun

Chen Tuan, courtesy name Tunan and literary name Fuyaozi, came from Zhenyuan in Bozhou (by another account Qiao commandery) and was a Daoist recluse of the Five Dynasties and early Song who refused office on Mount Wudang and Mount Hua. Emperor Shizong of Later Zhou gave him the title Master Baiyun, and Emperor Taizong of Song received him and granted the title Master Xiyi. Famed for his sleeping practice, he is revered in Daoism as Chen Tuan Laozu; the Taiji and Wuji diagrams are traditionally said to have passed through him to Zhou Dunyi and Shao Yong. The Song History places his death at Mount Emei in 989.

Life and times

  1. traditionally 871BornTangFive Dynasties and Ten KingdomsSong
  2. 989 CEDied

Records

Lived in seclusion on Wudang and Hua, and was given two honorific names

Five Dynasties to early Northern Song; died 989

Chen Tuan, according to the Song History, was a native of Zhenyuan County in Bozhou. He lived in seclusion for long periods on Mount Wudang, Mount Hua and Mount Shaohua. Emperor Shizong of Later Zhou gave him the name Master Baiyun, and Emperor Taizong of Song gave him the name Master Xiyi. He was known for his sleep practice, and Daoism regards him as an immortal and honors him as Patriarch Chen Tuan. He died in 989.

References (1)