At the end of his life, Laozi (Lao Tzu) is said to have A. disappeared in a large cave in southern China. B. sailed with friends off the eastern coast of China to find the Isles of the Blessed. C. died when a tall, heavy bookcase fell over on him. D. left China riding on an ox.
According to Sima Quian (a Chinese historian of the early Han dynasty), Laozi became progressively tired of the moral decay in the city of Zhengzhou (capital of the Henan Province) and the kingdom's decline, therefore he decided to venture west riding a water ox, never to be seen again. The ox in Chinese culture represents the undisciplined nature of the self, the image of Lao Tzu riding the ox means that he became one with his own nature and tamed it.
