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Lao Tsu

Laozi
老子
DaodeTianzun.jpg
Laozi, depicted as Daode Tianzun
Born 6th–5th century BCE
Zhou Dynasty
Died 531 BCE
Zhou Dynasty
Era Ancient philosophy
Region Chinese philosophy
School Taoism
Notable ideas
Wu wei
Laozi
Laozi (Chinese characters).svg
"Laozi" in seal script (top) and regular (bottom) Chinese characters
Chinese 老子

Laozi (also Lao-Tzu /ˈlˈdzʌ/ or Lao-Tze, Chinese: 老子; pinyin: Lǎozǐ, lit. "Old Master") was an ancient Chinese philosopher and writer. He is known as the reputed author of the Tao Te Ching, the founder of philosophical Taoism, and a deity in religious Taoism and traditional Chinese religions.

Although a legendary figure, Laozi is usually dated to around the 6th century BCE and reckoned a contemporary of Confucius, but some historians contend that he actually lived during the Warring States period of the 5th or 4th century BCE. A central figure in Chinese culture, Laozi is claimed by both the emperors of the Tang dynasty and modern people of the Li surname as a founder of their lineage. Laozi's work has been embraced by various anti-authoritarian movements as well as Chinese legalism.

In traditional accounts, Laozi's personal name is usually given as Li Er (, Old *ʔ Nəʔ,Mod. Lǐ Ěr) and his courtesy name as Boyang (trad. , simp. , Old *Pˤrak-lang,Mod. Bóyáng). A prominent posthumous name was Li Dan (, Lǐ Dān).


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