Daoism is a religion and philosophy focused on the Dao, or the Way. In later dynasties, a group called the Eight Immortals was worshipped as Daoist deities. All had semi-historical stories describing how they achieved immortality, and each had an attribute that made them easy to identify in carvings and paintings.
The Third of the Eight Immortals Lu Tung-pin, carrying a magical sword on his back. He is the patron saint of the barbers. Ebony carving with designs inlaid in silver wire. K'ien-lung Period (1736-95).