Like all ancient figures associated with the establishment of religions, Lao Tzu is part historical figure and part legend.  The name, which is spelled Laozi in modern usage and Lao-tse in older usage, means “Old Master”. He is held to be the author of the Tao De Ching and the founder of Taoism. He is regarded as a deity in religious Taoism and seen as a personification of the Tao. Emperors of the Tang Dynasty and holders of the Li surname claim him as founder of their lineage.  The legendary Lao Tzu was a contemporary of Confucius in the 6^th century BCE.  Myths hold that he was conceived when his mother gaze at a falling star, that she carried him for 62 years in her womb, that he was born a full grown man with gray beard, and that he lived 990 years in his 13^th incarnation as Lao Tzu.

The historical Lao Tzu traditionally combines three stories. In the first, he was Keeper of the Archives at the Royal court of Zhou, a contemporary of Confucius, and a writer of a book in two parts. In the second, he was also a contemporary of Confucius and a writer of a book in 15 parts. In the third he was a Grand Historian and court astrologer to Duke Xian of Qin in the 4^th century BCE.  Historians, however, believe he lived in the Warring States period in the 4^th or 5^th century BCE.  Whatever the facts, Lao Tzu has personified the essence of the Tao for centuries and attracted many millions of followers.