Tao Te Ching · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in Tao Te Ching by Laozi.
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Laozi
major
Also known as Lao, Li, Li Êrh
The Old Philosopher who grew weary of a crumbling dynasty, rode to the western pass, and left behind five thousand characters that outlasted every empire.
Chuang Tzŭ
major
Also known as Chuang, Chuang - tzŭ, Chuang - Tzŭ Shu, Shu, Chuang - chou
A brilliant, irreverent storyteller who took Laozi's spare verses and spun them into wild parables, arguing with Confucius's ghost and mocking the earnest.
Confucius
supporting
Also known as Kʽung, Kʽung - tung
The earnest moralist who sought Laozi in the royal capital, asked about ceremonies, and walked away comparing the old master to a dragon he could not fathom.
Ssŭ - ma Chʽien
supporting
Also known as Chʽien, Ssŭ - Ma Chʽien
The Han historian who opened his Biographies with Laozi, preserving the warden, the pass, and the five thousand characters before the legends swallowed them whole.
Ho - shang Kung
supporting
The old man of the riverbank whose eighty-one chapter division gave the Tao Te Ching the shape readers have followed for two thousand years.
Wang Pi
supporting
Also known as Wang - chu
The prodigy who died at twenty-four but left a commentary so prized it became the standard text for centuries of readers.
Han Fei
minor
Legalist philosopher who wrote about Taoist concepts in his works.
Stanislas Julien
minor
Also known as Julien, the late Stanislas Julien
French sinologist who translated the Tao Te Ching into French.
Wu Chʽêng
minor
Also known as Wu
Yuan dynasty scholar who wrote a commentary on the Tao Te Ching.
Herbert A. Giles
minor
Also known as Mr. Herbert A. Giles, Mr. Giles, Giles, Mr. H. A. Giles
British sinologist and translator of Chinese philosophical texts.
F. H. Balfour
minor
Also known as Mr. F. H. Balfour, Mr. Balfour
Western scholar who wrote about Taoist philosophy.
Abel - Rémusat
minor
Also known as Rémusat, M. Abel - Rémusat
French sinologist who studied Chinese philosophy and language.
Huai - nan Tzŭ
minor
Also known as Huai - nan, Huai
Han dynasty prince and patron of Taoist philosophical works.
Huang Ti
minor
Also known as Huang
Legendary Yellow Emperor, associated with early Taoist mythology.
Shang Ti
minor
Also known as Ti, god Ti
Supreme deity in ancient Chinese religion, referenced in Taoist context.
Mencius
minor
Confucian philosopher whose ideas are contrasted with Taoism.
Bunyan
minor
Author of Pilgrim's Progress, referenced in comparative religious discussion.
King Wei of Chʽu
minor
Also known as Wei of Chʽu
Ruler who invited Chuang Tzŭ to serve as a minister.
Matthew Raper
minor
Also known as a Mr. Matthew Raper, Mr. Raper
Early Western translator of the Tao Te Ching.
John Chalmers
minor
Also known as the Rev. Dr. Chalmers, Dr. Chalmers, Chalmers
Missionary and translator of the Tao Te Ching into English.
Chiao Hung
minor
Ming dynasty scholar who compiled commentaries on the Tao Te Ching.
Chu Hsi
minor
Also known as duke Hsi
Neo-Confucian philosopher who engaged with Taoist ideas.
Lü Yen
minor
Also known as Hui - tzŭ, Yen Hui, Hui
Disciple of Confucius mentioned in Taoist dialogues.
James Legge
minor
Also known as Legge
Scottish sinologist and translator of Chinese classics including the Tao Te Ching.
Liu Hsiang
minor
Han dynasty scholar who edited and preserved early Taoist texts.
Huang - fu Mi
minor
Also known as Huang - ti
Third-century scholar who wrote about legendary emperors and Taoism.
Pan Ku
minor
Han dynasty historian who wrote about early Chinese philosophy.
Yi Yin
minor
Legendary minister of Shang dynasty, mentioned in Taoist allusions.
Lu Tê - ming
minor
Also known as Tê, Lu - ling
Tang dynasty scholar who compiled glosses on Taoist texts.
Liu Mi
minor
Scholar who wrote about Taoist philosophy and commentaries.
Kʽang - sang Tzŭ
minor
Also known as Kʽang - hsi, the Kʽang - hsi
Daoist figure mentioned in the Zhuangzi and related texts.
Alexander Wylie
minor
Also known as Mr. Wylie
British missionary and scholar of Chinese literature.