Celestials

Chinese immigrants in late 19th century Australia, Canada, and America were often called "Celestials" because of an old name for China, the Celestial Empire. Bloom applies the name to people in China as he stands outside St. Andrew's church contemplating the announcement of a Catholic mission to that country.

John Hunt 2022

  Source: karen-shepard.com.

Detail from Eighty-seven Celestials, ink on silk painting attributed to Tang Dynasty artist Wu Daozi (680-759 AD). Source: archive.shine.cn.

The entire Eighty-seven Celestials. Source:Wikimedia Commons.