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Historical Figure

Laozi

Also Known As Li Er · Lao Dan
Philosophers and Scholars

Laozi is the semi-legendary Chinese philosopher traditionally credited as the author of the Tao Te Ching, one of the foundational texts of Taoism, and considered by tradition to have lived in the 6th century BCE during China's Spring and Autumn period. Traditional accounts describe him as a royal archivist for the Zhou court who is said to have met Confucius before withdrawing westward into obscurity, composing his classic text along the way. Modern scholarship regards much of his biography as later invention and the Tao Te Ching itself as likely a composite work by several hands, but the figure of Laozi remains foundational to Chinese religious and philosophical tradition.

Facts
Role
Role (category)
Writer / Scholar 1
Role (category)
Philosopher 1
Role
Ancient Chinese philosopher traditionally credited as the author or originating teacher of the Tao Te Ching and regarded as a founder of Taoism 1
Classification
Gender
Male 1
Connections

In Era

Classical Antiquity, Eras
Source Laozi (Wikipedia)
In the Other Atlases

Originated In

Henan

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject originated.

Sources
1. Laozi (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia Foundation
  • lead paragraph, first sentence, describing Laozi as author and teacher of the Tao Te Ching
    is the name traditionally given to an ancient Chinese philosopher, also identified as Li Er or Lao Dan, who is regarded as the author or originating teacher associated with the Tao Te Ching (Pinyin: Dào Dé Jīng), one of the foundational texts of Taoism
  • lead paragraph, first sentence, alternate names clause
    also identified as Li Er or Lao Dan
  • lead paragraph, first sentence, second alternate name
    also identified as Li Er or Lao Dan
  • Laozi: Gender
    Traditional accounts describe him as a royal archivist for the Zhou court who is said to have met Confucius before withdrawing westward into obscurity, composing his classic text along the way.
  • In Era: Classical Antiquity, lead paragraph, lifespan
    Infobox: born abbr|trad.|traditionally 6th century BC, sometimes dated 4th century BC; died trad. 5th century BC
View the Source
Wikidata: Laozi
Wikidata Q9333, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source

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