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Laozi, the "Old Master"
6th century BC (traditional)· Philosopher· Asian traditions
Legend & traditionA traditional account or attribution not confirmed by evidence.
The legendary 'Old Master' (老子) of China, traditionally the author of the Daodejing and founder of Daoism.
See it on the Philosophy map →The idea
The standard story comes from historian Sima Qian around 100 BC: Laozi was Li Er, an archivist at the Zhou court, older than Confucius. Weary of the dynasty's decline, he headed west (later art adds an ox); a border guard begged him to record his wisdom, and he left the roughly 5,000-character Daodejing. Sima Qian himself voiced doubts and offered other identities. Most scholars think the book had several authors and 'Laozi' may be a composite figure.
Why it matters
Real or not, the name anchors Daoism, which shaped Chinese and Korean religion, art, medicine and politics alongside Confucianism.
Legacy and sources
Sima Qian's Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji, c. 94 BC) is the main source. Bamboo-slip passages from a tomb at Guodian (c. 300 BC) show the text still taking shape.
Still debated
Whether Laozi existed, when he lived, and whether he wrote anything are all unresolved.
Connections (2)
▸Laozi, the "Old Master" is credited with The Daodejing (Tao Te Ching)Legend & tradition
The connection
Tradition says Laozi, a keeper of the Zhou royal archives, grew weary of the court's decline and left for the west. At the frontier pass the gatekeeper Yin Xi begged him to record his wisdom, so he wrote about 5,000 characters in two parts and vanished. That text became the Daodejing, also simply called the Laozi.
When and how
Set in the 6th century BC at a western frontier pass, usually named as Hangu; the story is first recorded by Sima Qian around 90 BC.
How sure are we?
Only tradition. Sima Qian himself was unsure, offering several candidates for Laozi, and the earliest manuscripts name no author.
Debates and open questions
Whether Laozi existed at all; most scholars think the text grew over generations, and the name, 'Old Master', may simply mean a revered elder.
▸Laozi, the "Old Master" reportedly met Confucius (Kongzi)Legend & tradition
The connection
Tradition says the young Confucius visited Laozi to ask about ritual, and Laozi told him to drop his pride and ambitions. Confucius reportedly left comparing Laozi to a dragon he could not grasp. The tale sets Daoist freedom against Confucian duty.
When and how
Supposedly at the Zhou royal capital, near today's Luoyang, in the late 6th century BC, according to Sima Qian's Records of the Grand Historian (c. 94 BC).
How sure are we?
Only later sources tell it: Sima Qian, the Zhuangzi and the Book of Rites. The Analects never mention Laozi, so many scholars doubt it.
Debates and open questions
Whether the meeting happened, or Daoists invented it to show their master's superiority, is unresolved; Han tomb carvings show it was a popular scene.