Tales of the Dancing Dragon: Stories of the Tao

by Eva Wong

Here, Taoist practitioner Eva Wong offers a colorful treatment of the history and evolution of Taoism, told through traditional teaching tales. These tales, which Wong first heard as a child growing up in Hong Kong, are gleaned from the local storytellers and the uncensored chronicles known as yeshi —the wild history of China, not monitored by the official imperial scholars and historians. The stories are by turns mysterious and intriguing, passionate and violent, and they are peppered with colorful characters, including hermits, politicians, social activists, revolutionaries, scholars, scientists, and mystics. Arranged chronologically from prehistory through the early twentieth century, these stories introduce the schools in the Taoist lineages, and capture the defeats and victories of Taoism, its periods of decadence and decay, and its renewal, maturation, and spiritual triumph. Wong puts these stories into context, and shows that Taoism is a dynamic spiritual tradition, constantly changing—and being influenced by—history.

Genres: Taoism, China, Religion, Nonfiction, History, Spirituality, Philosophy

173 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Eva Wong is an independent scholar and a practitioner of the Taoist arts of the Pre-Celestial Way and Complete Reality lineages. She has written and translated many books on Taoism and related topics.

Reviews

[Brian Griffith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wong's helpful mix of history and legend gives a stream of insights on Daoist practice. It's written in a simple, clear way, that reflects the world view of Daoist leaders past and present.

[Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Taoism is full of humor and this book is fun. Illustrations including 'fu' talismans. However it is not very informative. It is full of historical errors and anachronisms. It also lacks any dancing dragons.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good collection of Taoism stories. Similar to children stories, they teach the values as held by Taoist beliefs. I enjoyed the philosophical teachings as well as some of the historical teachings.

[Stephen Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Simply as a collection of short stories, or in some cases very short stories, it is great. Yes, there are underlying messages if you care to take note of them but purely as a collection of folk tales intertwined with real, historical people and events, it was excellent.

[Elie · Rating 3 out of 5]

an interesting book that sheds light into the history and mythology of the tao.
it had much more potential.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another entertaining translation of Taoist immortals with tales that can be applied to every day life. My short-attention span was able to wrap around the brief length of each tale and I was left smiling.

[Sae-chan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was more about Tao in the context of Chinese history. The story about Taoism itself was minimal.

[Will Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

These stories from Eva Wong are just delightful. You can enjoy them over and over again. More, More!