Taishang Laojun
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| Taishang Laojun | |
| 太上老君 | |
Sprite from Shin Megami Tensei | |
| Other Name(s) | Taijorokun Aeon GenesisLaozi Orden
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| Origin | Taoism |
| Alignment(s) | Neutral |
Taishang Laojun is a character in Shin Megami Tensei.
Profile
Origin
Taishang Laojun[a] is a god of Taoism and is believed have manifested himself as the Chinese philosopher Laozi[b], also known as Li Er[c]. Laozi is said to be the founder of Taoism and author of the Daodejing[d]. Tradition states that he lived during the Spring and Autumn period (circa 6 B.C.), the same period as Confucius and Zhuangzi, though modern literature has relegated him to semi-legendary status. As a Daoist immortal, he is in the same pantheon as Huang Di and Xi Wangmu.
Laozi appears in Journey to the West,[e] where his pills of immortality were stolen and eaten by Sun Wukong[f] whilst he was rebelling against heaven.
In Shin Megami Tensei, Taishang Laojun is seen as a personification of nature and appears to seek out and guide those that would uphold values relating to harmony and balance.[1] According to Kazuma Kaneko, Laojun was chosen as a guide for Neutral characters because the Taiji symbol reminded him of Neutral as a concept. Laojun's initial appearance in Shin Megami Tensei was inspired by the character So Chan, also known as Beggar So, from the 1978 film Drunken Master.[2]
Design
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Game Appearances
Shin Megami Tensei
The true identity of the cryptic old man met throughout the game who advocates for taking the middle path between Law and Chaos. On the Neutral route, after the Hero has killed either Law Hero or Lilith, the old man will once again appear to remind him of how close he is to the end of his journey, before transforming into his true form and sending him on his way. After both Michael and Asura have been defeated, the Hero is summoned to the top of the Basilica and is greeted by Taishang Laojun once again, who praises the work the Heroine and him have done. He then goes on to expound on how despite the necessesity of laws and the thrill of freedom, a world of pure order or chaos would be too stifling and lack stability respectively. Neither should be dominant over the other and instead be taken in moderation to maintain a good balance. He then asks the two heroes to serve as a guide for the countless people that have lost their way in the newly ruined world. He begins to reflect on the nature of the universe and asks the two if they can feel it; How they are all part of it yet also all of it, and describes the sensations and connection each of them have to all of existence.
Trivia
- According to Kazuma Kaneko, Taishang Laojun never returned after Shin Megami Tensei because they could not find an opportunity for it; however, he thought Laojun was a good character and thought his absence was a shame.[2]
Nomenclature
太上老君 Tàishàng lǎojūn is Chinese for "highest venerable lord".
| Language | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
 English
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Taishang Laojun | |
 Japanese
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タイジョウロウクンShin Megami Tensei (Super Famicom) Shin Megami Tensei (Super CD-ROM²) Taijō rōkun |
Taishang Laojun |
| 太上老君Shin Megami Tensei (Mega-CD) Shin Megami Tensei (PlayStation) Shin Megami Tensei (Game Boy Advance) Taijō rōkun |
Taishang Laojun | |
Gallery
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Portrait sprite from the Mega-CD version of Shin Megami Tensei -
Sprite from the PlayStation version of Shin Megami Tensei
Notes
- ↑ Simplified Chinese: 太上老君, Traditional Chinese: 太上老君, romanized Tài shàng lǎo jūn
- ↑ Simplified Chinese: 老子, Traditional Chinese: 老子, romanized Lǎozǐ
- ↑ Simplified Chinese: 李耳, Traditional Chinese: 李耳, romanized Lǐ Ěr
- ↑ Simplified Chinese: 道德经, Traditional Chinese: 道德經, romanized Dàodéjīng
- ↑ Simplified Chinese: 西游记, Traditional Chinese: 西游記, romanized Xīyóu Jì
- ↑ Simplified Chinese: 孙悟空, Traditional Chinese: 孫悟空, romanized Sūn Wùkōng
References
- ↑ "Q: 太上老君（吉祥寺の老人）の正体は?またロウとカオスとの争いに、どうかかわっている？ / A: 太上老君の正体は道教の祖、老子その人である。本名を李耳［りじ］といい、中国の春秋時代に実在した人物である。彼には多くの伝説が残されており、ブッダに転生した、姿を変えて幾度も皇帝になった、など超常的な逸話が多く残されている。『真・女神転生』中では、大自然の人格化した存在と見なせよう。自然は何よりも調和を望んでいる。彼が主人公たちの前に現れたのは、彼らが調和を求める者かを確かめた上で、その手に調和を取り戻す役割を託すためであった。" Shin Megami Tensei Fanbook: Club Jakyō no Yakata (1993), Hippon Super! Editorial Department. Published by JICC. Japanese. p. 5. ISBN-13: 978-4-7966-0683-7.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "道教の太極図がニュートラルぽいなと思ったのがキッカケで道教の導師をニュートラルのナビゲーターにしました。性格はジャッキーチェンの映画に出てくる「蘇化子」という拳法の達人からでジャッキーの映画では一見、見窄らしい老人ですが実はすごい人というキャラなので、それをそのまま頂いてます。出す機会が無かったのが出なくなった理由ですが、確かにキャラとして良かったので、もったいなかったです。" Kazuma Kaneko, [1]. Published July 22, 2026. Retrieved July 22, 2026. X.