"Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon": Relationship Between Daoism And Confucianism

Throughout history, we see the rise and fall of empires. The Chinese Empire has proven to withstand the changes of time and this is due to one simple trait, its self-regulation. A complex, yet simple fusion of Daoist and Confucian nature blend perfectly resulting in a self-regulating society. In Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon we see a clear image of the delicate relationship between Daoism and Confucianism and how they function together to create a self-regulating society. Li Mu Bai seeks peace from blood-shed, in other words, he wishes to find his Dao (way). In order to acquire this, he entrusts his close friend Yu Shu Lien with his sword, the Green Destiny. She delivers it as a gift to a friend but in the midst of the night, the weapon is stolen by the wealthy daughter of a Manchurian governor, Jen Yu. The quest to find the sword unravels of the complexities of life.

The character Li Mu Bai embraces li (way to do things) and strives to be a junzi (nobleman). His character can best be described through the second Confucian element which states, “ Confucius was gentle yet firm, dignified but not harsh, respectful yet well at ease.” (de Bary, Confucius). Li Mu Bai respects his master and embraces his duty as a warrior. Well into the film we see him engage in battle with Jen Yu while floating in a forest. Rather than simply defeat her physically, which he is more than capable of doing, he talks to her. He encourages her to change her ways or she will regret her choices. Here Li Mu Bai also reflects the Confucian belief that human nature is inherently good.

Although Li Mu Bai recognizes the importance of rituals and knowing his place in society, both core Confucian values, he also embodies Daoist beliefs. He believes that in order to achieve enlightenment or a peaceful state he must put down his weapon, he is rejecting the system of order. In this way, he is embracing the Daoist belief that nature is the answer to everything. At the beginning of the film as he talks to his dear friend Yu Shu Lien he mentions that, “I just feel very quiet and peaceful but also very sad.” He has spent his life doing his rightful duties but yearns to live a life of satisfaction with himself too, he seeks inner peace. A peace he thinks will be found when he is separated from his sword, a material possession. Li Mu Bai is characterized by his stillness in chaotic situations. He is like the Daoist concept of water, he adapts to the situations he finds himself in and works from there.

Unlike Li Mu Bai who is aware of his duties and what must be done to achieve enlightenment, Jen Yu finds herself lost in the complexities of what is required from her and what she feels is right. She lives a façade where she practices calligraphy and is a proper woman of upper status. Her life has been predetermined as her family arranged for her marriage. Despite living in comfort, Jen Yu craves more than silk dresses. She has secretly been trained in the art of Wudang sword fighting. An art that is compared to calligraphy in the film CTHD. Jen Yu wishes to be free of the duties assigned to her in order to find her own Dao. In trying to do so, she becomes lost.

She goes against nature and that is why she struggles to find her Dao. In trying to find herself she disrupts the order around her rather than finding herself through wu wei (non-action). She is a Daoist soul who needs proper guidance. Jade Fox, her governess, gave her knowledge she did not know how to handle, disrupting her inner peace. The biggest challenge for Jen Yu is learning to, “…Recognize the usefulness of what is not,” (Murphey). A challenge she overcomes when she leaps into the great abyss and leaves her lover behind in the closing scene. She has found her Dao and nothing else matters.

One of the greatest lessons in this film is presented through Jade Fox, the main antagonist of the plot. She is the outcome of resentment and demonstrates what a lack of Confucianism and Daoism can bring about. Jade Fox is overcome by feelings of bitterness. She desired to learn the secrets of Wudang but was only used for the sexual pleasure of masters like Li Mu Bai’s. It was her status as a woman that prevented her from becoming the Wudang warrior she wished to be. She was held too tightly by the rigid position society had told her was her duty. Her Dao was in being a warrior but she went against nature. Here we see how extremes bring about chaos in the life of Jade Fox; furthermore, her internal chaos is reflecting in society. Just like self-cultivation can bring about a harmonious society, internal chaos can bring about disorder in society.

Throughout the film, all of the characters face a struggle between their Confucian duties and wanting to follow their Dao, whether it be the apparent attraction between Li Mu Bai and Yu Shu Lien or the desire of Jen Yu to be a fighter. Absolutes cause problems. For instance, even water, which is necessary for the sustainment of life can lead to death if a human drinks too much of it at once. Too much focus on Confucianism causes an inflexible society while too much Daoism brings along excessive disorder. China has been able to withstand time because of its impressive ability to fuse Confucianism and Daoism together.

In life there is much gray space, things are not always black and white. The characteristics and values of people are not set in stone, they are prone to change just as a bird is prone to leaving the nest. Through the film CTHD we see that it is both Daoist and Confucian attributes that lead the characters to finding their own Dao. A self-regulating society embraces balance and does not deny that there will be gray space. It acknowledges the importance of self-cultivation to promote harmony. Self-cultivation is achieved through a blend of following the Dao and knowing that there are duties and responsibilities.