Lao Tzu, Ruler of the Lao Dynasty, was a character on Xena: Warrior Princess. He was the husband of Lao Ma, who ruled in his place, due to his tyrannical ways. She did, however, allow him to take the credit for all of her good deeds, including her infamous book of wisdom. She kept him in a coma using pressure points, and let him be seen in the garden once a month, to dispel thoughts of him having died.
Considering that Ming T'ien began to reign as the supreme ruler of Chin, the Lao line was presumably wiped out, meaning that he must have died some time shortly before or after Lao Ma's death.
Background[]
Laoo Tzu—also spelled Laozi—is a legendary figure in Chinese philosophy, widely regarded as the founder of Taoism and the reputed author of the Tao Te Ching, a foundational text of Taoist thought.
His name means “Old Master”, and while his real name is traditionally given as Li Er, much of his life is shrouded in mystery. According to ancient accounts, he lived during the 6th century BCE in the state of Chu (modern-day Henan, China), and served as a royal archivist at the Zhou court.
Lao Tzu’s teachings emphasize living in harmony with the Tao (or Dao), which can be understood as the natural way or flow of the universe. Key concepts include:
- Wu wei: effortless action or non-interference
- Simplicity and humility
- Balance and natural order
Some legends say he met Confucius and offered him cryptic wisdom, while others claim he left civilization behind, riding west on a water buffalo, after writing the Tao Te Ching in a single sitting.
Whether he was a real person or a symbolic figure, Lao Tzu’s influence on Chinese culture, spirituality, and even modern mindfulness practices is profound.
Lao Tzu’s personal life is wrapped in as much mystery as his teachings. There’s no definitive historical evidence confirming whether he had a wife, but several legends and speculative accounts suggest possibilities.
Some traditions name a woman called Lady Wei as his wife, while others mention Li Er—though that’s also believed to be Lao Tzu’s own name in some records. Another figure, Yin Xi, is sometimes romantically linked to him, though she’s more often portrayed as the gatekeeper who asked him to write the Tao Te Ching before he vanished into the west.
Ultimately, like much about Lao Tzu, the truth is elusive—part of the mystique that surrounds the “Old Master.” His teachings focus more on harmony with the Tao than on personal biography, which may be exactly how he intended it.