Whether Su Dan really exists is still a controversial issue.
Su Dan is a legendary figure, and his stories mainly appear in some ancient documents, such as Biography of Immortals. These documents describe Su Dan's experience in Taoist practice and how he gained the ability of immortality through practice.
historians and scholars have not reached a consensus on whether Su Dan really exists. Some people think that Su Dan is a fictional character of ancient Taoism, and his stories are used to convey Taoist thoughts and beliefs. Others think that Su Dan may be a real person in history, but his story is exaggerated and mythical.
Su Dan's stories do exist in ancient documents, but the reliability of these documents is also questioned. Because these stories are often produced in a specific historical background, they may be influenced by political, religious and cultural factors, so they cannot be completely used as evidence of historical facts.
Characteristics of Liexian Zhuan:
1. Ancient documents: Liexian Zhuan was written in the late Eastern Han Dynasty, and its author is unknown. It is one of the important documents of ancient myths and legends in China. Its content is mainly based on the documents of the pre-Qin and Han dynasties, such as Shan Hai Jing and Huai Nan Zi, which has high historical and cultural value.
2. Unique description: The Biography of Immortals vividly describes the images, characteristics and stories of many immortals in concise and vivid language. The description of each immortal adopts a unique narrative way, telling in the first person way, which enhances the realism and credibility of the story.
3. Imagination and mystery: The image of the immortals and the story in Legend of the Immortals are full of imagination and mystery. Through the description of immortals and the weaving of stories, the author brings readers into a fantastic and mysterious realm, making people feel the charm of myths and legends.
4. convey Taoist thoughts: the biography of immortals describes the stories of many immortals' cultivation and immortality, and these stories contain Taoist philosophical thoughts. Through the fairy story, the Taoist practice thought and attitude towards life can be vividly conveyed, making it easier for readers to understand and accept Taoist thought.