Luan Da

Luan Da (Chinese: 欒大; died 112 BC) was a Chinese occultist (fangshi) during the Western Han dynasty. He was said to come from Yue, an informal term for the southeastern commanderies of the Principality of Wu or Yang Province. He professed to know the secrets to immortality, transmutation, control over the Yellow River, and communication with the dead and the divine. Possessing the gift of gab and adept at confidence tricks, Luan Da gained the favour of Emperor Wu of Han. In the space of a few months, he rose from a commoner to great influence, holding titles and land, and marrying one of the emperor's daughters. However, he could not fulfill his promise to Emperor Wu, failing to produce a means to immortality. He gradually lost the emperor's favour and went on a purported visit to immortals; however, he was eventually captured and executed. At the apex of his career, many of his fellow mystics held him up as their role model and sought to emulate him. His death was a sign of the trade's fall from favour; laws were passed to restrict the practice of mediumship, even penalising those who married its practitioners.