The Three Maos Immortals 三茅真君

The Three Maos Immortals refer to the three brothers Mao Ying, Mao Gu, and Mao Zhong, who attained immortality through cultivation during the Han Dynasty. They are the patriarchs of the Maoshan School of Taoism, and in Taoism, they are known as the Great Mao Lord Mao Ying, the Middle Mao Lord Mao Gu, and the Third Mao Lord Mao Zhong.

According to The Biography of Tao Hongjing in The Book of Liang: "About Juqu Mountain in Jurong, it is always said: 'Beneath this mountain lies the Eighth Grotto-Heaven, named Jintan Huayang Heaven, with a circumference of 150 li. In the past, during the Han Dynasty, the three Mao brothers from Xianyang attained the Tao and came here to govern the mountain, hence it is called Maoshan.'"

It is said that the Great Mao Lord Mao Ying, styled Shenshu, left home at the age of 18 and went to Mount Heng (the Northern Great Mountain) to study Laozi and I Ching. He practiced internal cultivation with herbal remedies for six years, then met the Queen Mother of the West, who taught him the Tao of the Jade Pendant and Golden Pendant, as well as the Scripture of Supreme Ultimate Mysterious Truth. He completed his studies and attained the Tao at the age of 49, then returned home.

The Middle Mao Lord Mao Gu, styled Jiwei, was recommend as a Xiaolian (a person of filial piety and integrity) during the reign of Emperor Jing of the Han Dynasty and was promoted to the position of Governor of Wuwei through successive appointments.

The Third Mao Lord Mao Zhong, styled Sihe, was transferred to the position of Magistrate of Luoyang during the reign of Emperor Xuan of the Han Dynasty, and later was appointed as a Wugeng Dafu (a high-ranking official) and Governor of Xihe.

After Mao Ying ascended to immortality, both of his brothers abandoned their official positions and returned home, seeking their elder brother in the Eastern Mountain. Mao Ying then taught them the method of prolonging life and achieving immortality. The two brothers practiced Taoism for three years, and after taking the Nine-Turn Elixir, they also ascended to immortality.

In The Chart of True Spirits' Positions and Achievements compiled by Tao Hongjing during the Qi and Liang dynasties, the Great Mao Lord Mao Ying is referred to as "Mao Jun, the Supreme Yuan Immortal and the True Minister of the Eastern Peak in charge of Destinies" and is ranked in the left position of the Upper Clear Realm; the Middle Mao Lord is called "Mao Jun, the Immortal of Juqu Mountain and the Right Guardian of Fixed Fate" and "Mao Jun, the Middle Lord and the True Lord of Fixed Fate, the Right Guard of the Forbidden Court", ranked in the left position of the Great Clear Realm and the sixth middle position; the Third Mao Lord is known as "Mao Jun, the Junior Lord in charge of Preserving Life in the Three Offices" and is ranked in the sixth left position.

According to legend, the Great Mao Lord Mao Ying was born on the third day of the tenth lunar month in the fifth year of Zhongyuan of the Han Dynasty (145 BC) and ascended to heaven after attaining the Tao on the eighteenth day of the third lunar month in the fourth year of Tianhan (97 BC).

Today, Maoshan in Jiangsu Province is famous for worshipping the Three Maos Immortals. The incense-offering period lasts from the first lunar month to the third lunar month, with the climax falling on the day when the Great Mao Lord attained the Tao.