Which Taoist immortal is the patron of medicine?

The Taoist immortal associated with medicine is Sun Simiao. A Tang-dynasty physician and Daoist figure, Sun was later revered as the “King of Medicine” and worshipped as a deity of healing.

Sun Simiao is traditionally dated to 581–682 and became famous for large medical works including the Qianjin Yaofang and Qianjin Yifang, collections covering prescriptions, diagnosis, acupuncture, diet, childbirth, and other medical subjects. His writing also emphasized compassionate conduct and ethical responsibility among physicians.

Later religious tradition blended his historical career with stories of longevity, spiritual attainment, and immortality. That is why he appears in trivia as both a physician and a Taoist immortal or medicine deity, even though the historical person and later legendary figure are not identical categories.

A frequent mix-up is Bian Que or Hua Tuo, both celebrated physicians of earlier periods. Sun Simiao’s distinctive association is the later title “King of Medicine,” not membership in the Eight Immortals.