Lao Tzu, this profound thinker, has two possible identities: Lao Dan and Lao Laizi. His wisdom, like a bright star, illuminates the night sky of the Spring and Autumn Period. His name, Li Er, and the word Boyang, seem to be a poem, telling about his extraordinaryness and excellence.
He is a dazzling star in China's Spring and Autumn Period, and his thoughts, like deep lakes, are thought-provoking. His doctrine was developed by Zhuang Zhou and became the soul of the classic work of the Taoist school, the Tao Te Ching.
Lao Tzu served as the head of the library (library), which allowed him to delve into the knowledge and wisdom of ancient times. His life seems to be an unfinished epic, full of mystery and legend.
His place of birth is unknown, and historical records only record that he was a native of Qurenli, Li Township, Ku County, Chu State. This place may be the cradle of his wisdom, or the home of his soul.
Lao Tzu is regarded as one of the founders of the Taoist school, along with Confucius in Confucianism. Confucius once asked Lao Tzu about etiquette, which is enough to prove Lao Tzu's wisdom and knowledge.
During the Wuzong period of the Tang Dynasty, Lao Tzu was designated as the eighteenth incarnation of Taishang Laojun, one of the three Qing gods. This is a kind of reverence and praise for Lao Tzu, and it is also an affirmation of his wisdom.
However, the early Taoist priests believed that Lao Tzu was a subordinate of Taiqing God. This view may be a misunderstanding of Lao Tzu, but it also reflects the influence of Lao Tzu's wisdom at that time.
Lao Tzu and the later Zhuangzi are called Lao Zhuang. The ideas of the two of them reflect each other and become the twin pillars of Chinese philosophy. Their wisdom, like the stars, illuminates the night sky of Chinese philosophy.