Zhuangzi (c. 369–286 BCE) was a major philosopher of the Warring States period. His given name was Zhou, and he was a native of Meng in the state of Song—traditionally identified either as northeast of modern Shangqiu, Henan, or near Dingyuan, Anhui.
This article recounts the famous parable of the Yuanchu (Noble Phoenix) told by Zhuangzi to his friend Hui Zi, the Chancellor of Wei. When Hui Zi, fearing a rival, launched a manhunt to find Zhuangzi, the philosopher arrived calmly and delivered a stinging rebuke. He compared himself to the sacred Yuanchu, which only feeds…