Zhang Daoling |
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Zhang Daoling, as illustrated by Ren Xiong and engraved by Cai Zhaochu |
| Born | Zhang Ling
February 22, 34 (traditionally) |
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| Died | October 10, 156 (traditionally, aged 121–122)
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| Other names | Fuhao (courtesy name) |
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| Occupation(s) | Religious leader
Ruler of Zhang Han |
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| Known for | Founder of Way of the Five Pecks of Rice
Founder of religious Taoism |
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Zhang Daoling (張道陵, traditionally February 22, 34 – October 10, 156), birth name Zhang Ling (張陵), courtesy name Fuhan (輔漢), was a Chinese Taoist religious leader who lived during the Eastern Han dynasty. He founded the Way of the Five Pecks of Rice millenarian movement, and estabilished a theocratic state. The Way of the Celestial Masters grew out of those beginnings, and so Zhang is considered the founder of religious Taoism by scholars and is venerated as such by followers of Zhengyi Dao.
His son Zhang Heng (張衡) and grandson Zhang Lu inherited leadership of the movement and state. Also known as Celestial Master Zhang (張天師), Ancestral Celestial Master (祖天師) or Zhengyi Zhenren (正一真人), Zhang is sometimes pictured riding on a tiger. In some Taoist sects, Zhang, along with Ge Xuan, Xu Xun (許遜) and Sa Shoujian (薩守堅), are called the "Four Celestial Masters" (四大天師).