![]() The Butterfly Dream, by Chinese painter Lu Zhi (c. 1550) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Author | (trad.) Zhuang Zhou | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Language | Classical Chinese | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Genre | Philosophy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Publication place | China | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Chinese name | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Traditional Chinese | 莊子 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Simplified Chinese | 庄子 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Literal meaning | "[The Writings of] Master Zhuang" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Tang-era title | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Traditional Chinese | 南華真經 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Simplified Chinese | 南华真经 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Literal meaning | "True scripture of southern florescence" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Zhuangzi (historically romanized Chuang Tzŭ) is an ancient Chinese text that is one of the two foundational texts of Taoism, alongside the Tao Te Ching. It was written during the late Warring States period (476–221 BC) and is named for its traditionally attributed author, Zhuang Zhou, also known by the name "Zhuangzi" ("Master Zhuang").
The Zhuangzi consists of stories and maxims that exemplify the nature of the ideal Taoist sage. It contains numerous anecdotes, allegories, parables, and fables, often expressed with irreverence or humor. Recurring themes include embracing spontaneity and achieving freedom from the human world and its conventions. Throughout, the text aims to illustrate the arbitrariness and ultimate falsity of dichotomies normally embraced by human societies, such as those between good and bad, large and small, life and death, or human and nature. In contrast with the focus on good morals and personal duty expressed by many Chinese philosophers of the period, Zhuang Zhou promoted carefree wandering and following nature, through which one would ultimately become one with the "Way" (Tao).
Though appreciation for the work often focuses on its philosophy, the Zhuangzi is also regarded as one of the greatest works of literature in the Classical Chinese canon. It has significantly influenced major Chinese writers and poets across more than two millennia, with the first attested commentary on the work written during the Han dynasty (202 BC – 220 AD). It has been called "the most important pre-Qin text for the study of Chinese literature".[1]
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