尊号

民间

民间百姓敬仰吕洞宾道术高超，乐善好施，扶危济困，故被信徒尊称为吕仙、吕祖、吕仙祖、吕祖师、纯阳祖师、孚佑帝君。北方称之为吕仙翁，闽南、台湾民间信仰俗称其为吕仙公，简称「仙公」、「仙公祖」。

扶鸾的信众则时常称之为吕恩主，与关帝君、张司命、王灵官、岳鄂王合称为「五恩主」。

官方

中国历史朝廷敕封：

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「纯阳演正警化真君」，元武宗至大三年加「纯阳演正警化孚佑帝君」。

宗教

道教依不同宗派而尊称为：「雷霆太行大天师」、「灵宝纯阳一炁华盖文德掌道真君」、「广济正道妙通宏仁普惠帝君」、「兴行妙道天尊」、「兴隆大道护国济民玄元广法天尊」。甚至有「一阳真圣、三台选仙、总管五雷、化育七星、高居九梵、道法玄明、仁极无上大天尊」之号。在全真道中，是五阳祖师中的纯阳祖师。

普称「玉清内相、金阙选仙、三曹主宰、兴行妙道天尊、纯阳演正警化孚佑帝君」。通称为纯阳祖师、孚佑帝君。

生平

范致明《岳阳风土记》记载吕洞宾出身门阀，曾祖为浙江东道节度使吕延之，祖父为礼部侍郎吕渭，父为海州刺史吕让。

唐德宗贞元十二载丙子年（796年5月4日）生于蒲州永乐县，禅宗马祖道一见到就说：「此儿骨相不凡，自市风尘物处。他时遇卢则居，见钟则扣，留心记取。」寓意是遇庐山就隐居，遇到钟离权就出家修道。自小聪明过人，日记万言，过目成诵，出口成章，长大后「身长八尺二寸，喜顶华阳巾，衣黄欗杉，系一皂鞗，状类张子房，二十不娶」。

年轻时曾经两次应考不第，后中进士，为官一段时间，曾两度担任县令，不久因厌官场生活而弃官入道，隐居山林。一次游长安酒肆，遇正阳真人钟离权。经过「十试」后，钟离权「授以金丹之道，因得道法」。曾向锺离权学习金丹之道、向崔希范学习内丹之法、向火龙真人学习天遁剑法、向苦竹真人学习驱使鬼神之法。

一般说法，吕洞宾五月廿日在江南四大名楼中的黄鹤楼得道飞升，洞宾得道升仙后，尝称：「人能忠于国，孝友于家，信于交友，仁于待下，不慢自心，不欺暗室，方便济物，阴骘格天，则人爱之，鬼神敬之，即此一念，已于吾同，虽不见吾，犹见吾也。」又说「能识人者为神，能自识者为仙，所谓神仙得道，于人善恶已知。善者虽不见我，如见我也；恶者见我无益。」

宋代道教学者曾慥编《集仙传》称唐与五代成道之士中，「独纯阳子吕公显力广大」。

《宋史·陈抟传》载：吕曾「数来抟斋中」，「百馀岁而童颜，步履轻疾，顷刻数百里，世以为神仙」。

著作

《宋史‧艺文志》神仙类著录吕洞宾《九真玉书》一卷。《全唐诗》有其诗四卷、诗二百多首。《道藏》收录吕洞宾的传说和署名所著的作品，集为《吕祖志》。

;《赠李德成》

九重天子寰中贵，五等诸侯门外尊。争似布衣狂醉客，不教性命属乾坤。

;《三醉岳阳》

朝游北海暮苍梧，袖里青蛇胆气粗。三醉岳阳人不识，朗吟飞过洞庭湖。

;《题道士蒋晖壁》

醉舞高歌海上山，天瓢承露结金丹。夜深鹤透秋空碧，万里西风一剑寒。

;《赠贾尚书》

袖里青蛇凌白日，洞中仙果艳长春。须知物外餐霞客，不是尘中磨镜人。

;《揽船洲》

笑抛渔艇入苍茫，岂意壶中岁月长。归到荒洲无觅处，萋萋芳草对斜阳。

;《炼丹台》

谁筑斯台学炼丹，丹成飞上紫云端。空馀遗址在人世，满目青山碧草寒。

;《宿州天庆观殿门留赠符离道士》

秋景萧条叶乱飞，庭松风里坐移时，云迷鹤驾何方去，仙洞朝元失我期。

;《登楼诗》

独上高楼望八都，墨云散尽月轮孤，茫茫宇宙人无数，几个男儿是丈夫。

;《归鹤峰》

鹤归华表几千年，鸡犬随丹尽上天。开遍碧桃春不老，千岩万壑锁苍烟。

;《呈锺离云房》

生在儒家遇太平，悬缨重滞布衣轻。谁能世上争名利，臣事玉皇归上清。

;《题黄鹤楼石照》

黄鹤楼中吹笛时，白苹红蓼满江湄，衷情欲诉无人识，只有清风明月知。

;《题沈东老壁》

西邻已富忧不足，东老虽贫乐有馀。白酒酿来缘好客，黄金散尽为收书。

;《吾家本住在天齐》

吾家本住在天齐，零落白云锁石梯。来往八千消半日，依前归路不曾迷。

;《粗眉卓竖语如雷》

粗眉卓竖语如雷，闻说不平便弃杯。仗剑当空千里去，一更别我二更回。

;《赠罗浮道士》

罗浮道士谁同流，草衣木食轻四侯。世间甲子管不得，壼里乾坤得自由。数著残棋江月晓，一声长啸海山秋。饮馀回首话归路，遥指白云天际头。

;《答僧见》

三千里外无家客，七百年前云水身。行满蓬莱为别馆，道成瓦砾尽黄金。待宾榼里常存酒，化药炉中别有春。积德求师何患少，由来天地不私亲。

;《赠剑客》

发头滴血眼如钚，吐气云生怒世间。争耐不平千古事，须期一诀荡凶顽。蛟龙斩处翻沧海，暴虎除时拔远山。为灭世情兼负义，剑光星染点痕斑。

;《世上何人会此言》

世上何人会此言，休将名利挂心田。等闲倒尽十分酒，遇兴高吟一百篇。物外烟霞为伴侣，壶中日月任婵娟。他时功满归何处，直驾云车入洞天。

;《遥指高峰笑一声》

遥指高峰笑一声，红霞紫雾面前生。每于廛市无人识，长到山中有鹤行。时弄玉蟾驱鬼魅，夜煎金鼎煮琼英。他时若赴蓬莱洞，知我仙家有姓名。

;《公卿虽贵不曾酬》

公卿虽贵不曾酬，说著仙乡便去游。为讨石肝逢蜃海，因寻甜雪过瀛州。山川醉后壶中放，神鬼闲来匣里收。据见目前无个识，不如杯酒混凡流。

;《豪华去后行人绝》

豪华去后行人绝，箫筝不响歌喉咽。雄剑无威光彩沈，宝琴零落金星灭。玉阶寂寞坠秋露，月照当时歌舞处。当时歌舞人不回，化为今日西陵灰。

;《巴陵留诗》

暂别蓬莱海上游，偶逢太守问根由。身居北斗星杓下，剑挂南宫月角头。道我醉来真个醉，不知愁是怎生愁。相逢何事不相认，却驾白云归去休。

;《百字铭》

养气忘言守，降心为不为，动静知宗祖，无事更寻谁。

真常须应物，应物要不迷，不迷自性住，性住气自回。

气回丹自结，壶中配坎离，阴阳生反覆，普化一声雷。

白云朝顶上，甘露洒须弥，自饮长生酒，逍遥谁得知。

坐听无弦曲，明通造化机，都来二十句，端的上天梯。

;《沁园春》

暮宿苍梧，朝游蓬岛，朗吟飞过洞庭边。醉岳阳，玉山作枕，容我高眠。

出入无踪，往来不定，半是疯狂半是颠。随身用：提篮背剑，货卖云烟。

人间飘荡无数年，曾占东华第一筵。推倒玉楼种奇树；黄河放浅栽金莲。

捽碎珊瑚，翻身北海，稽首玉皇高座前。无难事：功成八百，行满三千。

形象与职能

吕仙形象多变，有著儒服读书，有著道袍饮酒、亦有戴笠折柳，甚至有戎装乘马者；在今日最经典的形象多半是年约三、四十岁，穿著青色道袍，手持拂尘，另一手平放或捏剑诀（伸出食指、中指），宝剑悬于腰间或负于背后。

• 医神：由于吕仙擅于炼丹，时常济世救人，被认为有医神的性质。

• 武神：吕仙曾习「天遁剑法」，手持神剑，能降妖伏魔，亦能「飞剑」而出，有武神的性质。

• 雷神：吕仙曾习雷法，能掌管五雷元帅，呼风唤雨。

• 科考之神：吕仙本为文士，曾举进士，士人学子将吕仙与文昌君、魁星、关帝君、朱衣神合奉，称「五文昌」，相传能保佑文运，金榜题名。有时，吕仙与其属神孔融、骆宾王合祀，号称三恩师。

• 托梦之神：俗说吕仙以黄粱梦点醒赶赴科举的卢生，故向吕仙祈求之后，许多人会在庙中或神像旁睡觉，期待吕仙示梦于人。

• 财神、淘金、矿业之神：一些金矿工人或生意人相传锺离权、吕纯阳师徒能「点石成金」，故奉二仙为保护神、财神。如台湾新北市瑞芳区九份一带，即有奉祀吕仙的庙宇，如金山佛堂等。

• 理发师之守护神：相传明太祖朱元璋因头上烂疮剧痛难忍，常杀理发师泄愤，而吕仙化身理发师将朱元璋治好，救了不少理发师性命，故被理发业者奉为保护神。另说则是一棵柳树修道成仙，作弄理发师，头发即剃即长。吕仙化身理发师，以宝剑化作剃刀，将柳仙降伏。

• 文具（墨、砚等）业者之守护神：范致明《岳阳风土记》载，吕仙得道后曾假扮墨、纸贩子混居市上。另外，宋代有知名吕姓道人专制砚、墨，苏东坡曰：「泽州吕道人沈泥砚，多作投壶样。其首有吕字，非刻非画，坚致可以试金。道人已死，砚渐难得。」民间相传该吕姓奉祀「回道人」吕祖师为守护神。而后广传于世。

• 青楼之守护神：某些娼妓也以吕纯阳为祖师，因为吕仙可保佑平安。据说是源自吕仙游走市井，点化娼妓，并为妓女治疗恶疾。

• 斩「烂桃花」之神：台湾民众相信吕祖师神剑能斩「烂桃花」，只要是有缘无份，最后无法成连理的情侣偕同赴庙，将会分手。故情侣一般不敢同赴吕祖庙。近日外遇风气盛行，竟有许多元配正妻来祈求吕祖师，将夫婿的孽缘斩断。民俗专家蒲庆峰表示，因为吕洞宾是剑神，配有桃木剑，神明慈悲为怀，只斩烂桃花，结婚的夫妻是正缘，不在吕洞宾斩桃花的对象。木栅指南宫庙方则说，所以若信众有感情纠纷，可来庙中参拜，求得和谐。

• 亦有市井谣说吕仙因追求其他女神失利，而不满入庙参拜的情侣，正一道道长指出：「吕祖师已然得道，无欲无求，焉有可能踏入情场？又神以慈悲为怀，岂有可能降祸于入庙的信徒？」台北市木栅指南宫庙方人员则批评为「无稽之谈」。指南宫庙方解释：「何仙姑是吕洞宾渡化成仙的徒弟，没有民间传说想像中的儿女私情」；主委黄承国表示：「民间传说有误，成为神明者都是与人为善，不会拆散别人的姻缘。」

从神

南宫柳真君、张祖师、骆恩师、孔恩师、李先师、罗真人、阮太子、穆尊者等。

由于四大元帅信仰的流行，民间也常把王元帅、马元帅等神灵配祀于吕祖。

柳真君的来由说法主要有三，第一是相传有一棵柳树受日月精华而修道成仙，特别喜爱作弄理发师，头发即剃即长。吕仙化身理发师以宝剑化剃刀，将柳仙降伏。第二说是柳真君本名叫「郭棨」，小名「郭寄」，是吕祖师同乡，永乐县人，曾为吕祖师的书僮，因喜爱植柳而号「柳青」、「青青子」，吕祖直接称其为「柳棨」，吕祖成仙后授予内丹之法而得道，故升仙后信徒敬称为「柳真君」，久而久之则误以为是柳树得道，故以青面塑其像。第三说是柳真君是柳宿的星君。也有二三说合并的，说是柳宿的星君下凡，转世为「柳棨」。

张祖师据说名叫张延鞭，是元朝末年陈友谅的军师，专精观星、堪舆，因望气见朱元璋，知是真命天子，于是辞官退隐，在临济宗法门出家，但精修三教，在吕祖师的点化下改为道士而得道。后来成为吕祖师的从神，木栅指南宫的地理位置就是张祖师择定的，信众尊称张祖师为「护国禅师」。

传说

吕祖的传奇可说是道教神仙中最多者，南宋《夷坚志》一书就收录了近三十条。其他诸如救人济世、拔剑助弱、斩妖除魔、点化迷途等，多不胜数。《吕祖志》中说，其师正阳真人钟离权将升天，吕祖曰：「喦之志，异于先生，须度尽天下众生，方上升未晚也。」从此，历史上关于吕祖现身度化、济困助人的传说络绎不绝。

民间的吕祖，是「八仙」中最富传奇色彩的人物。五代以后，一直有人借吕祖的名义出山，让他的传说更加丰富及神奇，比如「吕洞宾四下鹤城」、「吕洞宾卖汤团」、「吕洞宾黄粱梦度卢生」等。

曾三次在岳阳楼喝醉，人称「吕洞宾三醉岳阳楼」，在岳阳楼题诗曰：「朝游北海暮苍梧，袖里青蛇胆气粗。三醉岳阳人不识，朗吟飞过洞庭湖。」经过佛寺，题壁曰：「三千里外无家客，七百年前云水身。行满蓬莱为别馆，道成瓦砾尽黄金。待宾榼里常存酒，化药炉中别有春。积德求师何患少，由来天地不私亲。」后又书：「唐室进士，今时神仙。足蹑紫雾，却归洞天。」曾经在湖州沈东老家留宿，狂饮之后消失不见，以石榴皮题壁曰：「西邻已富忧不足，东老虽贫乐有馀。白酒酿来缘好客，黄金散尽为收书。」也曾经化身为磨镜者，为贾尚书磨古镜，突然消失，留下绝句《赠贾尚书》一首：「袖里青蛇凌白日，洞中仙果艳长春。须知物外餐霞客，不是尘中磨镜人。」

北宋开始，民间关于吕祖的传说愈来愈多。苗善时收编为《纯阳帝君神化妙通纪》。传说吕祖曾师苦竹真君，习得日月交拜之法；又游庐山，遇火龙真人郑思远（葛玄弟子），习得天遁剑法，民间甚至传说吕祖身有飞剑，可飞出千里寻人并将其斩首。

南宋吴曾所撰的《能改斋漫录》卷十八中记有吕祖自传。据说吕洞宾曾自言：「世言吾飞剑取人头，吾甚哂之。实有三剑，一断无明烦恼，二断无明嗔怒，三断无明贪欲。」《唐才子传》吕祖说：「吾仙人，安用剑为？所以断嗔爱烦恼耳。」

正阳渡纯阳

吕纯阳在长安酒肆遇正阳真人钟离权，纯阳理解到正阳是仙人，于是写下一首诗：「生在儒家遇太平，悬缨重滞布衣轻。谁能世上争名利，臣事玉皇归上清。」正阳见此诗大喜，收吕为徒，且对吕有「十试」的考验，是为「正阳渡纯阳」：

第一试：吕纯阳一日外出回来，突见亲人悉皆病死，纯阳既不悲伤也不悔恨，只管置办寿衣、棺木，准备丧事。不一会儿，亲人又全都活过来，纯阳无哀喜之情。

第二试：纯阳上街卖货，与买主讨价还价后说好了价钱，但买主又反悔变卦，只付给一半价钱，纯阳不恼，让买主大摇大摆地把货物拿走。

第三试：春节正月初一，纯阳正欲出门，遇一乞丐倚门乞讨，纯阳急施财物，但乞丐却没完没了，一讨再讨，口出秽言，纯阳只是满脸堆笑。

第四试：纯阳牧羊山中，忽遇一饿虎追捕羊群。纯阳保护羊群下坡躲避，自己上前以身挡虎，老虎见之悻悻而去。

第五试：纯阳居山中茅庵读书，忽然来了一个美女，声称自己迷路前来求宿。继而，这女子百般挑逗，夜逼共寝，纯阳始终神态自若。

第六试：纯阳一日外出归来，发现家中遭窃，财产遭洗劫一空，纯阳没有颓丧，没有报官，乃躬耕自锄。锄地时忽然挖出十几锭黄金，纯阳赶紧用土掩埋，分毫未取。

第七试：纯阳一次上街买些铜器，回到家中一看，全都是金器，纯阳马上退还给货主。

第八试：有个癫狂道士在街巷里卖药，声称服者立死，来世可以得道。人们听了，谁个肯自寻死路？纯阳不信邪，买回服之，安然无恙。

第九试：河水泛滥，纯阳与众人乘舟渡河，行至中游，狂风暴作，波涛汹涌，众人惊惧，唯纯阳神态自若，端然不动，视生死于度外。

第十试：纯阳独坐室中，忽见无数奇形怪状的妖魔鬼怪欲杀欲打，纯阳毫不畏惧。又一群夜叉押著一个血淋淋的死囚前来索命：「你前世杀了我，今当还命！」纯阳道：「杀人偿命，欠债还钱。」神态自若，端然不动。忽然见空中大喝一声，鬼怪皆无。一人抚掌大笑，却是正阳真人钟离权。

十试中，纯阳皆无得失心，以平常心态对待，钟离权极为满意。带著纯阳至终南山鹤岭传以灵宝秘法、上真秘法，共同开创了钟吕金丹派。

但纯阳不执著于炼丹、点石成金的法术，改「丹铅」与「黄白之术」为内丹之功，只以慈悲度世为成道路径。修仙成功后，时常下山云游四方，为百姓解除疾病，不要任何报酬。

（一说正阳真人钟离权的师傅东华帝君是纯阳真人吕洞宾的前身。该说法多见明清章回小说以及降笔挥鸾的劝善文中，如《八仙得道传》、《东游记》等。另据《历代神仙通鉴》，吕洞宾是上古圣王「皇覃氏」转世。）

吕洞宾收徒

吕洞宾修道成仙百多年，有一天心血来潮来到人间，观察过好几万人，最后发现三人跟他有缘，包括一个商人，一个官员，还有一个农夫。于是吕用法力把三人送到一座废弃的道观，在表明身份后说自己要炼一颗仙丹，谁出力最多就把仙丹送给他。商人抢著砍柴，官员抢著看火，农夫认为自己不可能成仙得道，就打算默默助人，于是帮商人砍柴。商人认为农夫是来抢工作的，便大声呵斥农夫，农夫就将每一棵树砍一大半，这样商人只须轻轻一推就可以把树砍断，功劳还是商人的。农夫砍得差不多了，又回去帮官员把柴薪抱到丹炉的炉口，这样官员就只要专心看顾炉火，不必走路，农夫在背后默默帮助他们。就这样，一共工作了七七四十九天，仙丹炼制完成。吕洞宾要三人自评功过，商人跟官员争功诿过，吕洞宾不发一语，轻轻一抛，这颗仙丹就进了农夫口中。吕洞宾对商人和官员说：「农夫默默付出，不计较得失，是真有悟性的人。而你各位抢著干活，无非是想要得到这枚仙丹，这代表著你们心里的贪念未除，怎么能得道飞升呢？」说完大袖一挥，将其它两人送回原处，带著农夫飞到天上去。

炼丹救瘟疫

传说元代黄河水灾，瘟疫频传时，有一医者发丹与民，服食者皆生，救人无数，人问其名，对曰：「二口子」，问其居处，对曰：「山下石。」问其乡贯，对曰：「山窟乡客」。言毕即去。「二口子，山下石。」吕岩也，「山窟乡客」洞宾也。

真武借飞剑

真武大帝得道，打算收服原属于自己，趁机四处作祟的龟仙及蛇仙。就向吕祖借其闻名遐迩的「飞剑」，以将两仙镇压（一说是向保生大帝吴真人借），收服龟蛇毕，为了怕龟蛇两仙不受控制，真武大帝时时刻刻紧握宝剑，再也不肯还吕祖。这就是民间塑像中，真武大帝总是赤脚踏著龟蛇，手紧握著无鞘剑之原因：假如真武大帝一放下飞剑，飞剑就会自动飞回吕祖的剑鞘。但这仅是民间谣言，道教说法中真武大帝得道时间早吕洞宾近千年，借剑传说实为谬传，不足采信。

狗咬吕洞宾

狗咬吕洞宾，不识好人心。传说吕洞宾有一次以包子喂狗，却反被狗咬。比喻「不识好坏，不分好歹」的意思。

《八仙得道传》小说中，二郎真君的哮天犬下凡作乱，被吕洞宾以法宝「布画」收服，吕洞宾怕哮天犬死于画中，于是把哮天犬放出，孰料哮天犬反将吕洞宾咬了一口而逃逸。

苏州的传说则是：吕洞宾修成道法后途经吴淞江边，见江上有一具男子的浮尸，江边有一病危将死的狗，他屈指一算，认为只要把该人跟狗的心脏交换，就可以让两者皆生。于是吕将狗一剑剖开，取出心脏，又把死尸捞上来，由其嘴中置入狗心，但尚未取男子之心，该男子即苏醒，破口大骂：「我跳水自杀，你为何要救我？你是在害我！」又跳下江里自杀。吕洞宾救援不及，只好用泥土捏个心脏，吹口仙气，化为「狗心」，填在狗身体中，把伤口填平，狗随即精神抖擞。吕洞宾欢喜离去时，却被活过来的狗追咬。这故事可能源于《列子》中扁鹊为鲁国的公扈与赵国的齐婴交换心脏的故事。

而今日网路上有一谣言，解释为吕有一好友「茍杳」（音同「狗咬」），吕怕「茍杳」结婚后，会与娇妻日夜缠绵而放弃课业，于是假意捣乱他的婚事。「茍杳」本来很生气，但意会后终于开始苦读，中了进士。而吕家失火，「茍杳」想送钱资助，却将银两装在棺木里，吓唬吕的亲人，害吕的亲人以为吕已经过世。「茍杳、吕洞宾」两人互相帮助，却互相误会对方的用心，所以「不识好人心」。惟此「茍杳」不见于任何古籍，应为现代有心人士穿凿附会。

纯阳吕公祖墓之谜

2017年6月21日在山西发现「大唐纯阳吕公祖墓」，被发现与年约20岁女子合葬，从骨架的排列来看，墓葬没有迁移过，古墓中陪葬有宋代的铜钱，有开关通宝4枚；祥符通宝2枚；女尸口中含天圣通宝。这些铜钱与唐史中记载的吕洞宾活动时间相差了200年，可能是其他道教道士或居士的坟墓被误会。

传说真伪辩证

根据《传闻正误》一书，有不少对真伪传说的辩证。在全真道道士的信仰中，吕祖师不食肉，更别说杀生了，而且不近女色。吕祖曾降乩作《题凤翔天庆观》诗自辩曰：「得道年来八百秋，不曾飞剑斩人头。玉皇未有天符至，且货乌金混世流。」清康熙年间，吕祖尝于黄鹤楼降乩曰：「世传飞剑斩黄龙，乃宋散仙——颜洞宾也，岂有上真而嗔恼不除者乎？」

颜洞宾与吕洞宾的事迹常被混淆，明朝的王崇简《冬夜笺记》也考证出：「俗传洞宾戏妓女白牡丹，乃宋人颜洞宾，非纯阳也。」杨良弼则说：「祖尝言『吾道虽于房中得之，却非御女之术。』一言已破千古之疑。凡若此者，以伪乱真，皆吕祖之罪人也。」

杨良弼认为，吕祖清心修道，必断女色。若胡乱传言，则是「吕祖之罪人」。另方察之，「十试」之中，吕祖女色且已断，得道之后，又如何「三戏名妓白牡丹」？世人时常混淆吕祖与其他人的事迹，尤其是与吕祖表字相近的「颜洞宾」。

吕祖的胜迹

中国大陆

山西芮城永乐宫

祀奉吕祖的永乐宫在山西芮城县，唐时为河中府永乐县，传为吕祖的出生地，乃就其宅建「吕公祠」，金末扩建为道观。元初毁于火，随即重建，历时十馀年元中统三年（1262年）改名大纯阳万寿宫，后称永乐宫，为全真教三大祖庭之一。

近览内外宫墙环峙，略似紫禁城格局。宫内主体建筑5座，宫门、龙虎殿（无极门）、三清殿（无极殿）、纯阳殿（混成殿亦称吕祖殿）、重阳殿（七真殿亦称袭明殿）都垂直地排列在中轴线上。除宫门为清代建筑外，其馀四座都是元代建筑中的优秀遗构。各殿塑像早已不存，仅留三清殿扇面墙背后的「太乙救苦天尊」元代彩塑1尊。各殿四壁满绘精美的元代壁画，总面积1005.68平方米，有确切年代可考并留有画师姓名。

1959年，因该地被圈为三门峡水库库区，遂由政府将全部建筑和壁画等珍贵文物迁移至今芮城县北的龙泉村。1961年列为全国重点文物保护单位。

山西太原市纯阳宫

山西太原市纯阳宫建于明神宗万历年间，清高宗乾隆间增筑巍阁三层。宫有四座院落，为吕祖殿、方形单间回廊亭及巍阁。吕祖殿为主殿。巍阁最高，登阁能环眺太原市内景色。宫中还有一关帝君立马铜像。

陕西西安市八仙宫

八仙宫又名「万寿八仙宫」，位于陕西西安市东关长乐坊，相传是吕祖饮酒遇仙的长安酒肆遗址。八仙宫山门牌楼左侧竖有「吕洞宾成道碑」，碑上隶书「长安酒肆」，楷书「吕纯阳先生遇汉钟离先生成道处」。

内蒙古包头市吕祖庙

妙法禅寺俗称吕祖庙，位于内蒙古包头市东河区吕祖庙街，始建于清咸丰末年，占地120亩，起初只是一个小庙，同治五年（1866年）扩建，曾被称为包头「十大寺庙之一」。

在「文化大革命」十年动乱中，破坏惨重，僧众被驱离，寺院被瓜分占用。近年经过多次修复和扩建，已建成山门（天王殿）、大雄宝殿、观音殿、地藏殿、祖师殿、念佛堂、禅堂、五百罗汉堂及僚房500馀间，寺院现已成为包头市重要的旅游参观景点之一。

2008年5月28日，因为包头市大风起火，部分大殿遭火灾烧毁，但吕祖庙殿安然无恙。

河北邯郸县黄粱梦镇吕仙祠

位于河北省邯郸黄粱梦镇的吕仙祠为河北省文物保护单位，始建于北宋，据说黄粱梦的故事发生于此，故信众踊跃扩建。清仁宗嘉庆年间大修过后，目前占地已经达到9.4公顷，主要有三大殿，供奉八仙之首锺离权的正阳殿、主殿纯阳殿和有描述黄粱梦故事壁画与主角卢生卧像的卢生殿。

北京吕祖宫

北京吕祖宫，现为北京市道教协会的所在地，是北京市道教协会仅有的两座道观之一。位于北京复兴门内北顺城街十五号。坐西朝东。山门内西为火神殿三间，北为文昌殿三间，南为吕祖阁三间，火神殿后有娘娘殿三间，是一座小型道教宫观，为北京西城区重点保护文物。吕祖宫最早是建于明代的「火神庙」，清文宗咸丰年间，道教居士叶合仁出资将火神庙重修为「燕京纯阳宫」，即今日吕祖宫。

北京广福观

北京广福观又称燕京孚佑宫，建于明英宗天顺三年（1459年），明朝管理全国道教的机构「道录司」曾设于此，阁臣李东阳有诗「飞楼凌倒影，下照清澈底」咏之。中华人民共和国时期，宫观遭到民众占用，变成饭馆、酒吧等，2007年才遭公家收回，重建殿宇。

苏州福济观

苏州福济观位于吴门，奉祀吕祖师，相传凡久病不愈的信众，来此祭神则能速愈，故人称「神医院」或「天医院」，每年四月十四吕祖师生日，众人都来此「轧神仙」（「轧」，推挤之意，指挤著求神），故此地又称「神仙庙」。

湖南岳阳市吕洞宾遗迹

湖南洞庭湖畔岳阳市留有不少吕仙遗迹。这里有专祠吕洞宾「真像」的吕公庵，有其「招蛇化剑」的白鹤池，城南度柳的「吕公洞」，还有其亲题的「诗壁」，亲作《自记》的石刻等。而江南四大名楼之一的岳阳楼，其主楼之右有座「三醉亭」，即因「吕洞宾三醉岳阳楼」的传说而得名。传吕祖为此写下了：「朝游岳鄂暮苍梧、袖里青蛇胆气粗。三醉岳阳人不识，朗吟飞过洞庭湖」而建的，另说吕仙《沁园春》一词：「暮宿苍梧，朝游蓬岛，朗吟飞过洞庭边。岳阳楼酒醉，借玉山作枕，容我高眠。」

四川新津县纯阳观

新津纯阳观又称「古今天下第一忠孝儒林」，距成都38公里，占地120亩，为四川重点文物保护单位。「大忠亭」塑有历代儒家忠臣像。「至孝亭」塑的是传统的二十四孝像，并留有大量名家诗文、碑刻和楹联。儒道释三教并存一地。

广东广州市纯阳观

纯阳观位于广州市海珠区五凤村漱珠岗上，坐北向南，是广州道教两大道场之一。一是三元宫，二是纯阳观。广州道教中人素有「北到三元宫，南去纯阳观」之说。

香港

香港新界云泉仙馆

云泉仙馆是道教纯阳派的道观，主奉吕祖师，位于香港新界北区打鼓岭坪洋村坪輋路。云泉仙馆原本位于广东省西樵山，惟西樵山于1938年抗日战争中陷落，仙馆诸道友迁至香港，后于1944年于德辅道西立馆。1975年购得坪輋园林而定址。云泉仙馆竖有华表并有「道德经碑」，「陶塑八仙图壁」、「隶书吕祖百字碑」等塑物，是香港著名的庙宇、名胜，香火鼎盛。

台湾

台北木栅指南宫

指南宫俗称「木栅仙公庙」，位于台湾台北市文山区木栅万寿路115号，是台湾道教圣地之一。清光绪八年1882年，艋舺县丞王斌林迎山西芮城永乐宫吕祖神像香火奉于艋舺（今台北万华区），颇负盛名。后景尾（今台北文山区景美）瘟疫，景尾士绅迎吕祖神像奉祀，疫情渐稳，且吕祖神威不断，信众所求常遂，有多年不育而得子或目盲复明等灵迹。1890年在木栅指南山建庙，称「指南宫」。「指南宫」之名，乃取「吕祖在天庭居于南宫」、「济世度人须用指南针」之意。指南宫按照吕祖「三教合流」的思想，殿堂设置以道教为中心，兼祀儒、释二教圣贤。

台北景美仙迹岩

仙迹岩是位于台湾台北市文山区溪子口山的一块大岩石，传说吕洞宾曾在此留下足迹，于1952年8月24日（农历）正殿初建完成。

台北大龙峒觉修宫

觉修宫俗称「大龙峒仙公庙」，位于台湾台北市重庆北路，明治卅五年（1902年），善信由淡水行忠堂分香，创建乐善社，主要奉祀孚佑帝君（吕仙公），扶鸾济世。大正三年（1914年），获得檀越陈悦记家族的协助，迁徙到港仔墘（今日延平北路四段附近），改称「台北觉修堂」，大正六年（1917年）重修，改称觉修宫。台北行天宫的五恩主乃由本庙分香。

三重太璞宫

太璞宫俗称「三重仙公庙」，位于台湾新北市三重区中正北路，大正五年礼迎观音山本圆大师为主持，大正六年（1917年）正式竣成，因奉祀孚佑帝君仙公吕仙祖，便被当地人称为仙公庙。

中和烘炉地竟南宫

竟南宫俗称「烘炉地仙公庙」，位于中和区烘炉地山，地址为台湾新北市中和区兴南路二段399巷136号。为中和地方居士吕登标与从兄弟等人，创庙于明治卅一年（1898年），原称「恒升堂」，奉祀全真派祖师吕纯阳真人，为乡亲扶鸾解惑，而后在中和烘炉地今址建庙。

汐止拱北殿

拱北殿俗称「汐止仙公庙」

• ，位于新北市汐止区汐万路，明治卅四年（1901年），水返脚（今汐止）北港地区居民由木栅仙公庙（指南宫）分香孚佑帝君神像，建「北港鸾堂」，为乡亲扶鸾解惑。明治卅九年（1906年），奉神降鸾指示，乩童以手掌击破神案，神谕在三秀山建庙，历经多次整修，庙貌巍峨。近日流传，为赏枫知名景点。

台南东山孚佑宫

孚佑宫又名「青山仙公庙」，位于台南市东山区崁头山西侧山腰。庙位在东山前大埔进去之高纵崁头山峰，拥有双龙塔、双龙穴、风动石、白猴洞、冷风洞、热风洞、石镜、石仙公等八景名胜汇合而成，风光绮丽，地理奇观，气候温和，为避暑佳地。峰上暸览四周，五景八彩画入眼帘．为台湾名刹之一。

高雄凤山镇南宫

镇南宫俗称「凤山仙公庙」，位于台湾高雄市凤山区国泰路一段220号，清乾隆年间，乡民于凤山县新城内结庵奉祀吕纯阳祖师等神，以求平安，因灵迹颇闻，又居交通要道，往来官民皆虔诚祭祀，香火鼎盛。后屡经整修，庙貌壮丽。

新北万里永德宝宫

道光山永德宝宫位于新北市万里区乌涂炭9号，于1977年五月基础完成，座落地点处于新北市万里区和台北市士林区的交界，阳明山国家管理处后方，路程上未有清楚指示牌，但也因如此，据闻起造人吕平田第三代子孙，已在2016年开始赠与寺庙奇珍老树，并种植日本垂樱，绿美化周边环境，再规划整建寺庙，预计在2020年能配合内政部宗教管理办法，成立财团法人道光山永德宝宫基金会。

台东三仙台

三仙台位于台东县成功镇东北方的三仙台，全岛面积约22公顷，民间相传，八仙过海时，李铁拐、何仙姑和吕洞宾曾在此休憩，烙印了仙迹，因此取名为三仙台。

影视作品

注脚

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 (赞化宫). 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.