Pictures of Tai Shang Lao Jun - Dao De Tian Zun (道德天尊) 2

Lao Zi (老子) aka Li Lao Jun (李老君), a historical character in the Warring State (戰國時代). As recorded, Lao Zi was born on the 15th Day of Lunar 2 Month in BCE604 (生于公元前604年, 農曆二月十五日). Hometown in Chu Ku Province, Village Li Qu Ren Area (which now in He Nan Province Lu Yi Area 家鄉於現今河南省鹿邑).

Lao Zi's real name was known as Li Er (李耳) or Li Bo Yang (李伯陽).

Since young, he was a talent and intelligent person who study all sorts of upright teachings and able to memorize and give explanations to the others in an easy-to-understand way.

After growing up, Lao Zi put in effort to request for knowledge of all types of skills, teachings and studies and with his talented wisdom, he succeeded. Soon he compiled all his observation, knowledge, wisdom and skills into a Classic, which later known as Dao De Jing (道德經) – A Classic of Nature Behaviour.

In Spiritual Contexts, Lao Zi was believed to be the manifestation of Dao De Tian Zun 道德天尊 (one of the San Qing aka The Three Pure Ones 三清道祖). According to the contexts, the manifested energy was being sent to Lao Zi's mother (a virgin Immortal Maiden – Xuan Miao Yu Nv 玄妙玉女). After 81 years of pregnancy, on the 15th Day of Lunar 2 Month under a Li Tree (李樹 Li, a type of prunes), Lao Zi’s mother felt a pain in the under-arm area (手腋下方) and she took a little knife to cut her under-arm area and soon, Lao Zi was born.

Due to 81 years of pregnancy, Lao Zi was born in an old man form and he was being born under a Li Tree, and this was why later the folks addressed him as Li Lao Zi – meaning old man of the Li.

In Tang Dynasty (唐朝), in order to strengthen the Empire's strength, the family of Emperor Li honoured Lao Zi as their Ancestor. And so, from then, the Li Empire was believed to have the Spiritual Blessing from the Heaven, etc.

Till today, all Taoists (regardless of Sects or Schools) will have to pay respect to Lao Zi, cos in Taoism, we honour him as the Ancestor Master of collating & compilation of the Teaching of Taoism (道教之祖).