40．八【丷】部 divide; separate
八eight仙immortals过cross海sea
The Eight immortals are legendary figures in Chinese folk stories.
八仙过海is one story about the eight immortals recorded in a Ming Dynasty Chinese Novel Journey to the East. According to the story the tight immortals arrived at the Eastern Sea东海 and needed to cross, but all they could see were turbulent waves surging and crashing.
One of the eight immortals suggested that each of them throw a magic weapon into the sea to demonstrate their magic powers. They all agreed and each used their magic powers to cross the sea.
Later, people began to use 八仙过海to describe when individuals try to outshine each other in a display of talents.
【拼音】bā xiān guò hǎi
【解释】相传八仙过海时不用舟船，各有一套法术渡过大海。在汉族民间有“八仙过海，各显神通（或各显其能）”的谚语，比喻各自有一套办法，或各自施展本领，互相竞赛。
【出处】明·无名氏《八仙过海》第二折：“则俺这八仙啊过海神通大，方显这众圣归山道法强，端的万古名扬。”
