The calabash also reminds the Chinese of one of the Eight Immortals known as Lee, who is depicted as a cripple who walks with the aid of an iron pole and carries a gourd at his waist.
提起葫蘆，就令人聯想起民間神話「八仙過海」的八仙當中，鐵拐李腰間繫掛的那個葫蘆。