Li Po- A Poet Master of Daoist Philosophy

Li Po- A Poet Master of Daoist Philosophy

Li Po- A Poet Master of Daoist Philosophy


Every literary period has a theme; in Ancient China, the most common theme was nature. Ancient Chinese poetry is a beautiful art form that is unsurpassed by any other form of poetry. Most Ancient Chinese verse is written in short stanzas some are even only two lines long. Although they are short in the length, these poems have a tremendous impact and meaning. Several poems from the Ancient Chinese era represent and show different aspects of the arising philosophy of Daoism. One poet in particular makes numerous references to the various facets of the philosophy. Li Po who lived from 701-762 C.E. during the time of the Tang Dynasty seems to have focused the majority of his poems of Daoism.

Daoism is a philosophy founded on a deep love of nature and the belief that humans should live in harmony with nature. Its terminological origin is the Chinese word “Dao” which means path or way. It is impossible to say exactly what Daoism is because it cannot be defined with words- it is a feeling, a path, an enlightenment, a way of life. It is larger than life. One main expression of Daoism is
Wu Wei. This concept refers to the way nature acts perfectly and spontaneously. It does not try to gain control. Literally, the term Wu Wei means no action in the sense of not forcing; using the water’s current to take you where you are going. Wu Wei is a way of living for one who is in harmony with the Dao. There are many different aspects of Wu Wei including Yin and Yang and the Void.

Yin and Yang are enunciated in religious Daoism. Yin is the passive force; the feminine principle and Yang is the active force; the masculine principle. All aspects of nature exhibit harmony, which is the Yin and Yang working together. One cannot exist without the other and although it seems as though they are working against each other, in reality they are working with each other to keep the harmony and balance in every facet of nature....