Kako Crisci

Mainstream scholars often mistakenly claim that Daoism, as attributed to Laozi, was established during the Eastern Zhou dynasty (6th–5th century BC). This era is famously known as the "Hundred Schools of Thought," but these scholars overlook a crucial distinction: Daoism as a religion existed long before the philosophy of the Daodejing was ever written. It is time to recognize that the roots of Daoist ritual were established far before Confucius (Kongzi) dominated the historical stage. The...

The Historical Context: Chu vs. Zhou In traditional Chinese thought, Laozi is often relegated to the role of an elder contemporary to Confucius. However, this narrative becomes secondary—perhaps even impossible—if we accept that the foundations of Taoism predate the Zhou Dynasty by millennia. Guided by Neolithic jade artifacts, I propose that Laozi’s teachings are rooted in pre-dynastic spiritual models, specifically those of the Neolithic Wu (Shaman-King) . This perspective places the...

Was ancient jade merely decorative, or was it a medium for the divine? Archaeological evidence from Neolithic jade artifacts suggests that early societies didn't just admire these stones—they feared and revered the powers they represented. Ancient texts dating back over 3,000 years describe li (禮)—complex ritual practices centered on sacred communication with gods through jade. Together, the dirt of archaeology and the ink of textual records reveal a singular truth: jade was the primary...