The Imagery In The Tao Te Ching

Imagery and symbolism are one of the most commonly used styles as far as literature is concerned. Imagery refers to the creation of images or pictures in the people’s minds by use of descriptive or figurative language. Imagery aims at adding weight to literary or artistic work. Symbolism on the other hand refers to representation of the author’s thoughts, ideas, opinions and even qualities by using symbols. Tao Te Ching, translated by Stephen Addiss and Stanley Lombardo, is a historical Taoist work, attributed to Lao Tzu. In the 81 verses of Tao, Lao-Tzu employs a number of images and symbols such as water, motherhood, infancy, and uncarved block to depict the Tao i.e. the way and its virtues including religion, legalism, moral behavior. This paper will focus on two of these images, water and the uncarved block, to discuss their symbolic portrayal about the Tao and direction they provide for developing moral and appropriate behavior. The paper will also evaluate the effectiveness and usefulness of these images and their convenience in deciding the manner in which one should act. This essay examines two of these images, water and the uncarved block, in order to disseminate their symbolic representation of the Tao and its direction for moral and appropriate behavior. This essay will also assess both the effectiveness of the image and its usefulness in determining the way in which one should act.

It is no doubt that water is one of the biggest and most emphasized symbols by Lao Tzu in his book The Tao Te Ching. Symbolically, water has been used to represent the great flow of the Tao i.e. the way as described from the book. The author has used water to teach us how to be and act like the Tao in life. We should think and treat everything in the universe as equal without raising ruckus or judgments. Think of the water, it gives everything including plants equally without discrimination. It holds no judgments towards its generosity. It is just awesome! This is similar to the Tao which makes no judgments neither does it raise ruckus towards its giving. Water is essentially good and its goodness cannot be measured. “The highest goodness resembles water”. 

The author compares a person with great virtue to flowing water. A virtuous person who puts him or herself to a perfect place just like water. He further attributes the minds and the heart of a virtuous person to the flowing water. For instance, the mind of a virtuous person is calm and peaceful just like the deep water. Also, his heart is beneficial to all including his or her enemies just like the flowing water. Just like the Tao, water is generous and gives it to all irrespective of the geographical location. It befits all with no contention. “Water greatly benefits myriad things without contention… It stays in places that people dislike… Therefore it is similar to the Tao”. Furthermore, he refers to the words of a virtuous person as sincere just like the constant and smooth flow of water. All these descriptions play an important role in shaping the behavior as well as the morals of a person in a community.

The use of water has been quite effective in delivering the authors message. Through the symbolic nature of water, we are now able to understand our roles and responsibilities as far as our characters, behaviors, and attitudes towards society are concerned. Also, the imagery has expounded our thinking and take of things. It is also clear from the book that we all need to act like water when executing our services as well as other duties. In addition, we should demonstrate all the attributes of water like right timing, contention, a softness that penetrates through hard rocks, free flow, and generosity among others. “Nothing in the world is softer or weaker than water…..Yet nothing is better at overcoming the hard and strong”. From this, it is clear that water imagery is a big analogy that the author has explored in explaining something the Tao. Also, by using something familiar to us i.e. water, the author effectively made the Tao relatable to us so that we can try live and be like it i.e. being humble, flexible, moral, non-judgmental etc.

Another important symbol used by the author is the uncarved block. The author has used the uncarved block to represent who we actually are in our own original and pure state before being shaped by life processes. Generally, the uncarved block is a sample of our original state. The author affirms that people in uncarved block i.e. in their original state have natural power and abilities that enable them to perform their routine or daily duties as far as life is concerned (Addiss et al., 2007). However, when the simplicity of their original state is altered or changed, the natural power is lost rendering people to risky behaviors and actions in the society. Take the example of a block of wood. The wood can be transformed into anything by use of a tool, artwork etc. This is quite similar to our original states i.e. the uncarved block which can also be shaped and transformed by the life experiences and processes. Our responses and choices are our carving tools which are dictated by our beliefs.

It is also clear from the book that is a standard of the world without deviating from the true nature can contribute to one returning to the void of Tao. Knowing honor but still clinging to disgrace is like a valley of the world. This later invites the eternal virtue in you moving you back to the uncarved block. “Knowing honor, but clinging to disgrace, you become the valley of the world.” Because of all this, people must know how to live and maintain original pureness in order for them to be free from danger or any disaster. For instance, they can treat each other equally and with peace. Also, if kings and nobilities can abide by the great Tao, all things and processes can be naturally smooth and effective since Tao acts according to the natural way and there is nothing that it cannot accomplish. Furthermore, the simplicity of the original state can help one in overcoming any unnecessary desires that might arouse during life process and thereby shaping and developing the morals and behaviors of a person in the society.

The use of the uncarved block by the author has been an effective symbol that has helped a lot in understanding an individual’s original state and the state after life processes. Also, returning to the simplicity of our uncarved block eliminates fear, uncertainty and any other unnecessary layers in our lives.

References

• Addiss, S., & Lombardo, S. (1993). Tao Te Ching. Hackett Publishing.
• Addiss, S., & Lombardo, S., Shambala. (2007). Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu. Hackett Publishing. Boston.
• Seddon, K. (2008). Lao Tzu: Tao Te Ching. Lulu. Com.
• Simpkins, C. A., & Simpkins, A. M. (2015). Simple Taoism: A guide to living in balance. Tuttle Publishing.