Character guide

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.