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Immortal: Difference between revisions
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Many characters in the [[touhou]] world are biologically immortal, such as the [[lunarian]]s or the [[hermit]]s. Spirits like [[yuurei]] or [[onryou]] are biologically immortal as they can be killed by characters like [[Youmu Konpaku]] or [[Kasen Ibaraki]] who possess abilities to dispose of them; although becuase they are already dead/nonliving, they cannot be classified as genuin immortals to being with. Only a select few of the characters are known to be purely immortal. | Many characters in the [[touhou]] world are biologically immortal, such as the [[lunarian]]s or the [[hermit]]s. Spirits like [[yuurei]] or [[onryou]] are biologically immortal as they can be killed by characters like [[Youmu Konpaku]] or [[Kasen Ibaraki]] who possess abilities to dispose of them; although becuase they are already dead/nonliving, they cannot be classified as genuin immortals to being with. Only a select few of the characters are known to be purely immortal. | ||
=== | ===Houraibito/Houraijin=== | ||
Those who have taken the [[Hourai Elixir]] are known as the "people of hourai" ({{lang|ja|蓬莱人}}, | Those who have taken the [[Hourai Elixir]] are known as the "people of hourai" ({{lang|ja|蓬莱人}}, ''houraibito'' or ''houraijin''). Currently, this is the only known method to obtain pure immortality. | ||
==Characters under this Bestiary== | ==Characters under this Bestiary== |
Revision as of 02:20, 20 February 2012
Immortals (不老不死 , furoufushi) are organisms who cannot die under normal circumstances like age. Immortality is divided into two separate groups; one that is based on folklore and the other being based on science. The scientific image of immortality is different than what immortality is often portrayed in religion or popular culture.
Types of Immortality
Immortality (Folklore)
In folklore, those who achieved immortality cannot be killed regardless of what measures are used against them. They are often sealed away or imprisoned as the only methord to restrain them. Immortality in humans is sometimes seen as a spiritual crime, while a goal in others. Spirits and gods are often seen as immortal in many religions. Undead being such as the Jiang Shi are immortal to some extant as they can be ressurected after being killed, however they are technically considered dead and are not genuinely immortal.
Biological Immortality
In science, biological immortality (生物学における不老不死 , seibutsugaku-ni-okeru-furoufushi) is the only form of immortality theoretically achievable and has been seen in nature. Unlike immortality seen in folklore, this form only prevents the organism from death as long as it is not physically harmed. Biological immortality has only been achieved in evolution by a handful of organisms like the Turritopsis nutricula jellyfish. In some religions, gods are biologically immortal as they do not die from age but by injury from other gods or other creatures.
Immortals in Touhou
Many characters in the touhou world are biologically immortal, such as the lunarians or the hermits. Spirits like yuurei or onryou are biologically immortal as they can be killed by characters like Youmu Konpaku or Kasen Ibaraki who possess abilities to dispose of them; although becuase they are already dead/nonliving, they cannot be classified as genuin immortals to being with. Only a select few of the characters are known to be purely immortal.
Houraibito/Houraijin
Those who have taken the Hourai Elixir are known as the "people of hourai" (蓬莱人, houraibito or houraijin). Currently, this is the only known method to obtain pure immortality.
Characters under this Bestiary
- This list only shows characters who are true immortals
See Also
- Wikipedia entry for Immortality
- Wikipedia entry for Immortality (Japanese)
- Wikipedia entry for Biological Immortality
- Wikipedia entry for Biological Immortality (Japanese)