Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Taoist

9th Century

China
(East Asia)

Wu Cailan

Timeline (9th Century)

Poems by Wu Cailan
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Wu Cailan (Wu Ts'ailuan) is a revered female Taoist master in China.

It is difficult to speak with historical certainty about when Wu Cailan lived. Taoist tradition states that she was the daughter of the Taoist adept Wu Meng, who lived in the third and fourth centuries. It is said that she studied Taoist alchemy, attaining the Eternal.

Secular histories place her lifetime in the ninth century, however, where she was the wife of a poor scholar whom she supported by selling poetry.

Legend combines the two stories by saying that Wu Cailan had attained immortality in the earlier centuries but had been banished to the mundane world again in the ninth century.

She and her husband eventually retreated to live in the mountains.

Poems by Wu Cailan

	Favor and disgrace are meaningless --
	My mind is like a jade jar of ice,

Recommended Books

Immortal Sisters: Secret Teachings of Taoist Women, Edited by Thomas Cleary

Amazon.com

The Shambhala Anthology of Women's Spiritual Poetry, Edited by Aliki Barnstone

Amazon.com

Related Links:

	Chinese Zen-Taoist Immortal Women Poets http://www.womensearlyart.net/immortals/immortals.html A few poems by Wu Cailan.

Please support the Poetry Chaikhana, as well as the authors and publishers of sacred poetry, by purchasing some of the recommended books through the links on this site. Thank you!

Poetry Chaikhana Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Wu Cailan

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Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World