Zhuangzi (book)

Zhuangzi

The Butterfly Dream, by Chinese painter Lu Zhi (c. 1550)
Author	(trad.) Zhuang Zhou
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"
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Zhuāngzǐ Bopomofo ㄓㄨㄤ ㄗˇ Wade–Giles Chuang1-tzŭ3 Yale Romanization Jwāngdž IPA [ʈʂwáŋ.tsɹ̩̀] Wu Suzhounese Tsaõn-tsỳ Yue: Cantonese Yale Romanization Jōngjí Jyutping Zong1-zi2 IPA [tsɔŋ˥.tsi˧˥] Southern Min Hokkien POJ Chng-chú (col.) Chong-chú (lit.) Tâi-lô Tsng-tsú (col.) Tsong-tsú (lit.) Eastern Min Fuzhou BUC Cŏng-cṳ̄ Middle Chinese Middle Chinese [tʂjang-tzí] Old Chinese Baxter (1992) *tsrjang-tsɨʔ Baxter–Sagart (2014) *[[ts]raŋ tsәʔ]

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The Zhuangzi (historically romanized Chuang Tzŭ) is an ancient Chinese text that is one of the foundational texts of Taoism, alongside the Tao Te Ching, Neiye, Wenzi and Liezi. It was written during the late Warring States period (476–221 BC) and is named for its traditional author, Zhuang Zhou, who is customarily known as "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. 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]