The Mystery of Lao Tzu's Marriage: Who Was He Married To and What Did He Teach About It?

The life of Lao Tzu is surrounded by many mysteries, and one question that has bothered historians for centuries is whether or not he was married. Some say he was married to a woman named Lady Wei, while others believe he never married at all. What does Lao Tzu teach in his writings about marriage? Let's take a closer look at this enigmatic figure and find out!

Lao Tzu was a Chinese philosopher and writer best known for his work, the Tao Te Ching. In this book, Lao Tzu sets forth his philosophy on how to live a good life in accordance with the Tao, the natural order of things (in this article you can learn more about the Tao). It teaches that people should be satisfied with what they have and that they should not strive for material possessions or power.

Interestingly, Lao Tzu does not give a clear answer as to whether marriage is a good thing or not. He seems to say that it is better to be single because then you can focus on your own spiritual development. However, he also says that marriage can be a source of great joy and happiness if you enter into it with the right attitude.

Whether Lao Tzu was married is unknown. There are three names of possible wives of Lao Tzu. The first is Yin Xi, who was a servant of Emperor Yao. The second is Li Er, who is also known as Shangjun. And finally Lady Wei, whose real name is unknown today, but often refers to a mythological figure.

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”

Lao Tzu

Some historians believe he was married to a woman named Lady Wei, while others believe he never married at all.

Others name Yin Xi, a legendary figure said to have guarded the entrance to the underworld, as Lao Tzu's wife. This is a more spiritual or religious interpretation of Lao Tzu's relationship to marriage, as it suggests that he was married to the goddess of death.

A third name that comes into play is Li Er or "the Pure One". This title was given to Lao Tzu by the emperor when he was appointed court historian. It is said that Lao Tzu's wife was named Li Er and that she was a great beauty. Looking at ancient texts and paintings, it is easy to see that this could be the case.

So, who was Lao Tzu married to? That cannot be said with certainty.

Other factors why we can't know if Lao Tzu was married or not

Another factor is that Lao Tzu is a legendary figure and much of what is known about him comes from legends and folklore. This makes it difficult to separate fact from fiction. In fact, there is not even evidence that he lived at all. Some theories suggest that he is a mythical figure and that the Tao Te Ching is a work of fiction or was written by a group of people.

Further, Lao Tzu lived in a time when marriage was not as important as it is today. In ancient China, marriages were often arranged by parents and other community elders. It was not uncommon for men to have multiple wives, and women were often considered the property of their husbands.

While we will never know for sure whether Lao Tzu was married or not, we can take a look at what he taught about marriage in his writings. From this we can get a better picture of his views on this institution.

Lao Tzu's Teachings on Marriage

Lao Tzu's teachings on marriage are interesting because he is not clear on whether or not it is a good thing. Instead, he seems to suggest that it is better to be single because then you can focus on your own spiritual development.

“Love is of all the passions the strongest, for it attacks simultaneously the head, the heart, and the senses.”

Lao Tzu

However, he also says that marriage can be a source of great joy and happiness if entered into with the right attitude.

This indicates that Lao Tzu saw marriage as something that could be both good and bad, depending on the circumstances. It is a decision that should not be taken lightly, and you should be sure that you are ready for the commitment before you make it.

“Love is a decision – not an emotion!”

Lao Tzu

What can we conclude from all this? It seems that Lao Tzu was somewhat ambivalent about marriage, but overall he seemed to think it was a good thing. However, we cannot know for sure whether he himself was married, as there is no clear evidence of this.

Do you have an opinion on Lao Tzu's views on marriage? Let us know in the comments! Thanks for reading.

More Lao Tzu Quotes About Love:

“Embracing Tao, you become embraced.

Supple, breathing gently, you become reborn.

Clearing your vision, you become clear.

Nurturing your beloved, you become impartial.

Opening your heart, you become accepted.

Accepting the World, you embrace Tao.

Bearing and nurturing

Creating but not owning,

Giving without demanding,

Controlling without authority,

This is love.”

“Because of a great love, one is courageous.”

Lao Tzu

"Kindness in words creates trust. Kindness in thought creates depth. Kindness in giving creates love."

Lao Tzu

“Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.”

Lao Tzu

“He who defends with love will be secure; Heaven will save him, and protect him with love.”

Lao Tzu