Daode Tianzun

Laozi is regarded to be a manifestation of Daode Tianzun who authored the classic Tao Te Ching.

Intellectual ("orthodox") Taoists, such as the Celestial Masters sect, usually present Laozi (Laojun, "Lord Lao") and the Three Pure Ones at the top of the pantheon of gods.

[citation needed] Taishang Laojun believed to be the true incarnation of the spiritual philosopher Laozi, he was already identified as a personification of the Tao as early as the beginning of the Later Han dynasty.

During the Tang dynasty, the royal family taking Laozi as its ancestor, worshipped him and honored him with many noble titles.

Before he served as an advisor to the Jade Emperor or attending Peach Banquets, he lives in the Great Pure Heaven (Taiqing).