Laozi
Ancient Chinese philosopher
Laozi is the legendary Chinese philosopher traditionally credited as the founder of Taoism and author of the *Tao Te Ching*.
The name means "Old Master." Whether Laozi was a historical figure, a composite of several thinkers, or purely mythical remains debated.
In Taoist tradition, he is venerated as a deity.
Also spelled Lao-tzu or Lao-tse.
Chinese duality symbol
- meditationFocused attention practice
- immortalityExemption from death
- alchemyMystical metal transformation
- naturalnessUnaffected, uncontrived quality
emptiness · simplicity · softness · water · valley · spontaneity · detachment · harmony
Wisdom keeper or seasoning
- masterAuthority or controller
- elderSenior figure of authority
- insightDeep perceptive understanding
- enlightenmentProfound spiritual awakening
discernment · humility · simplicity · yielding · patience · stillness · observation · intuition
Wisdom keeper or seasoning
- ConfuciusAncient Chinese ethical teacher
- MenciusClassical Confucian thinker
- metaphysicsPhilosophy of existence's nature
- ontologyStudy of existence's nature
ethics · naturalism · quietism · mysticism · anti-authoritarianism · primitivism · relativism · skepticism
Nine times nine
- chaptersMain divisions of text
- versesLines of poetry
- aphorismsConcise memorable truths
- paradoxSeemingly absurd truth
poetry · brevity · translation · commentary · classic · canon · scripture · watercourse
yin-yang
Chinese duality symbol
- meditationFocused attention practice
- immortalityExemption from death
- alchemyMystical metal transformation
naturalness · emptiness · simplicity · softness · water · valley · spontaneity · detachment · harmony · cosmology
sage
Wisdom keeper or seasoning
enlightenment · discernment · humility · simplicity · yielding · patience · stillness · observation · intuition · profundity
sage
Wisdom keeper or seasoning
- ConfuciusAncient Chinese ethical teacher
- MenciusClassical Confucian thinker
- metaphysicsPhilosophy of existence's nature
ontology · ethics · naturalism · quietism · mysticism · anti-authoritarianism · primitivism · relativism · skepticism · paradox
eighty-one
Nine times nine
paradox · poetry · brevity · translation · commentary · classic · canon · scripture · watercourse · nameless
Confucius
Ancient Chinese ethical teacher
- Taoist Figures
- ChinaBeijing, Shanghai, Great Wall, Yellow River, Chinese calligraphy
- Ancient ChinaShang dynasty, Han dynasty, Confucius, Warring States period, oracle bones
- Asian historyancient China, China, empresses, shoguns, Chinese civilization
- TaoismLao Tzu, yin, yang, yin and yang, yin yang
- Ancient Chinese FiguresConfucius, Mencius, Sun Tzu
LaoziAristotle
Greek founder of formal logic
Plato · Aquinas · rationalism · materialism