A Study On The Story Of Laozi’s Theophany During Han And Tang Dynasties

The myth of Lao zi is an important part of Taoist mythology.The story of laozi’s theophany is more representative among the many myths. Between the han and tang dynasties,The development and changes in the story of laozi’s theophany is a miniature of the history of Taoism,which involves the creation of Taoism,Lao zi’s apotheosis,Taoist reform,the respect to Taoism in tang dynasty and so on.During the development and change of the story of laozi’s theophany in the past dynasties,Political factors played a key role in this process.The sprout of the story about laozi’s theophany in Han dynasty established two themes (enlightenment and salvation) for the later generations.It’s an obvious characteristics in Wei,Jin and the Northern and Southern Dynasities Peroid that the story of laozi’s theophany being uesd to promote political reform.The story of laozi’s theophany in Tang dynasty shows the process of the tang rulers’s respecting to Taoism.In the middle and late tang dynasty,the increase of efficacious storys brought a new air to the story of laozi’s theophany that is more political originally,suggesting that Taoism in tang dynasty from prosperity to decline. At the same time,the adding of the factor of folk shows the close connection between Taoism and people’s real life.