# Tao Te Ching — Character guide

> Key figures in Tao Te Ching by Laozi.

- [Laozi](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tao_te_ching_se/characters/laozi.md): Legendary founder of Taoism and central figure of the Tao Te Ching.
- [Chuang Tzŭ](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tao_te_ching_se/characters/chuang_tzu.md): Major Taoist philosopher and author of the Chuang Tzŭ Shu.
- [Confucius](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tao_te_ching_se/characters/confucius.md): Influential Chinese philosopher frequently contrasted with Taoist thought.
- [Ssŭ - ma Chʽien](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tao_te_ching_se/characters/ssu_ma_chien.md): Han dynasty historian who recorded early accounts of Laozi and Chuang Tzŭ.
- [Ho - shang Kung](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tao_te_ching_se/characters/ho_shang_kung.md): Early commentator on the Tao Te Ching, associated with a key edition.
- [Wang Pi](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tao_te_ching_se/characters/wang_pi.md): Third-century scholar known for his influential commentary on the Tao Te Ching.
- [Han Fei](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tao_te_ching_se/characters/han_fei.md): Legalist philosopher who wrote about Taoist concepts in his works.
- [Stanislas Julien](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tao_te_ching_se/characters/julien.md): French sinologist who translated the Tao Te Ching into French.
- [Wu Chʽêng](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tao_te_ching_se/characters/wu_cheng.md): Yuan dynasty scholar who wrote a commentary on the Tao Te Ching.
- [Herbert A. Giles](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tao_te_ching_se/characters/giles.md): British sinologist and translator of Chinese philosophical texts.
- [F. H. Balfour](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tao_te_ching_se/characters/balfour.md): Western scholar who wrote about Taoist philosophy.
- [John Chalmers](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tao_te_ching_se/characters/chalmers.md): Missionary and translator of the Tao Te Ching into English.
- [Abel - Rémusat](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tao_te_ching_se/characters/abel_remusat.md): French sinologist who studied Chinese philosophy and language.
- [Huai - nan Tzŭ](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tao_te_ching_se/characters/huai_nan_tzu.md): Han dynasty prince and patron of Taoist philosophical works.
- [Chiao Hung](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tao_te_ching_se/characters/chiao_hung.md): Ming dynasty scholar who compiled commentaries on the Tao Te Ching.
- [Chu Hsi](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tao_te_ching_se/characters/chu_hsi.md): Neo-Confucian philosopher who engaged with Taoist ideas.
- [Huang Ti](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tao_te_ching_se/characters/huang_ti.md): Legendary Yellow Emperor, associated with early Taoist mythology.
- [Lü Yen](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tao_te_ching_se/characters/lu_yen.md): Disciple of Confucius mentioned in Taoist dialogues.
- [James Legge](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tao_te_ching_se/characters/james_legge.md): Scottish sinologist and translator of Chinese classics including the Tao Te Ching.
- [Liu Hsiang](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tao_te_ching_se/characters/liu_xiang.md): Han dynasty scholar who edited and preserved early Taoist texts.
- [Huang - fu Mi](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tao_te_ching_se/characters/huang_fu_mi.md): Third-century scholar who wrote about legendary emperors and Taoism.
- [Shang Ti](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tao_te_ching_se/characters/shang_ti.md): Supreme deity in ancient Chinese religion, referenced in Taoist context.
- [Pan Ku](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tao_te_ching_se/characters/pan_ku.md): Han dynasty historian who wrote about early Chinese philosophy.
- [Yi Yin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tao_te_ching_se/characters/yi_yin.md): Legendary minister of Shang dynasty, mentioned in Taoist allusions.
- [Lu Tê - ming](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tao_te_ching_se/characters/lu_te_ming.md): Tang dynasty scholar who compiled glosses on Taoist texts.
- [Mencius](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tao_te_ching_se/characters/mencius.md): Confucian philosopher whose ideas are contrasted with Taoism.
- [Liu Mi](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tao_te_ching_se/characters/liu_mi.md): Scholar who wrote about Taoist philosophy and commentaries.
- [Bunyan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tao_te_ching_se/characters/bunyan.md): Author of Pilgrim's Progress, referenced in comparative religious discussion.
- [Kʽang - sang Tzŭ](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tao_te_ching_se/characters/kang_sang_tzu.md): Daoist figure mentioned in the Zhuangzi and related texts.
- [King Wei of Chʽu](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tao_te_ching_se/characters/wei_of_chu.md): Ruler who invited Chuang Tzŭ to serve as a minister.
- [Matthew Raper](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tao_te_ching_se/characters/raper.md): Early Western translator of the Tao Te Ching.
- [Alexander Wylie](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tao_te_ching_se/characters/wylie.md): British missionary and scholar of Chinese literature.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/tao_te_ching_se/characters