In both history and Star Wars, there are moments when ancient traditions, guardians of wisdom and balance, are attacked and nearly wiped out by powerful forces. One such event is the repression of Taoism during the Cultural Revolution in China, while another happens in Star Wars with the enactment of Order 66. These two stories, separated by time and space, share strikingly similar themes of betrayal, destruction, and the silencing of those who stand in the way of absolute control.
Taoism and the Jedi: Spiritual Warriors
To understand these parallels, let’s first explore the Taoists and the Jedi. Taoism is an ancient Chinese philosophy centered around living in harmony with the Tao, or the natural flow of the universe. It’s a system that promotes balance, peace, and understanding of life’s deeper mysteries. Taoist practitioners, including legendary swordsmen, were known not just for their fighting skills, but for their ability to live with wisdom and grace. These swordsmen were not conquerors, but protectors, using their power only to restore balance.
The Jedi in Star Wars are similar spiritual warriors. They too are protectors, committed to peace and justice across the galaxy. Like Taoist swordsmen, Jedi are skilled in their craft, wielding lightsabers with precision and discipline. But their true power lies not in their weapons, but in their understanding of the Force—a mystical energy that connects all things. Both Taoist warriors and Jedi are teachers, guiding others in their quest for balance, wisdom, and peace.
The Taoist Purge: Destruction from Within
During the Cultural Revolution in the 1960s and 1970s, China underwent a period of profound upheaval. Chairman Mao Zedong and the Communist Party launched an attack on traditional beliefs, seeking to eliminate “old customs” and replace them with a new socialist vision. Taoism, with its focus on spiritual balance and harmony, was seen as a relic of the past—one that didn’t fit within the party’s authoritarian framework.
Taoist temples, shrines, and sacred texts were destroyed or repurposed. Many Taoist priests, scholars, and practitioners were persecuted, sent to labor camps, or even executed. Religious practices were banned, forcing many Taoists to go underground to avoid detection. Those who still believed in Taoism had to keep their practices secret, often living in fear of arrest and punishment.
Like Taoism, the Jedi were also seen as a threat by the ruling powers. During the rise of the Galactic Empire, the Jedi Order was viewed as a potential challenge to Emperor Palpatine’s vision of absolute control. And so, in Star Wars, the Emperor secretly issues Order 66, which calls for the immediate execution of all Jedi. The clone army, once allies of the Jedi, turns against them without question, and the Jedi are hunted down.
Order 66: The Betrayal and Mass Destruction
Order 66 is a shocking moment of betrayal in Star Wars. The clones, bred and trained to serve the Jedi, are commanded to destroy them. Jedi, once their companions, are suddenly the targets of their own soldiers. This is more than just a military strike—it’s an attempt to erase an entire tradition, one rooted in peace and balance, which the Emperor views as an obstacle to his reign.
This is eerily similar to the Taoist purge. The Communist government, much like the Emperor’s Empire, sought to eliminate the very tradition that stood in the way of absolute power. Taoism, with its focus on balance and inner peace, was seen as an enemy to the new order of the state. Taoist priests and practitioners, like the Jedi, were betrayed by those they once trusted, and many were forced into hiding or killed for continuing their practices.
Legendary Swordsmen: Taoism’s Heroes and the Jedi’s Legacy
A key aspect of Taoism is the tradition of legendary swordsmen. These warriors are not just warriors; they are symbols of wisdom and inner peace. Their swords are tools of balance, and their fighting style reflects their calm, disciplined nature. In Taoism, the sword represents a way of life—one that seeks to preserve harmony rather than create conflict.
Similarly, the Jedi are legendary swordsmen, wielding their lightsabers with skill and precision. But much like Taoist swordsmen, their true strength lies in their ability to remain calm, centered, and wise, even in the most difficult of circumstances. The Jedi use their power not for domination but for defense and peace. Their discipline, like that of the Taoist swordsman, is what sets them apart.
Both traditions share the same ideal: that true power lies not in force, but in understanding and balance.
Destruction of the Old Ways: The Erasure of Tradition
The Taoist purge and Order 66 both represent an effort to erase ancient traditions that were seen as obstacles to the ruling powers. The government of Mao Zedong sought to destroy Taoism because it represented a different kind of power—one that emphasized inner peace, balance, and spiritual wisdom. The Jedi, too, represented a way of life that was rooted in understanding the Force, rather than using it for domination. Just as Taoist priests and spiritual leaders were persecuted, so too were the Jedi hunted down by their own allies.
In both cases, the attackers sought to eliminate a group whose beliefs challenged their authoritarian control. The Taoists were forced into hiding, and many were killed, just as the Jedi were nearly wiped out after Order 66. In both stories, the old ways of wisdom, peace, and balance were sacrificed to make room for an oppressive regime.
The Legacy of the Taoist and Jedi Spirit
Despite the efforts to destroy them, the spirits of Taoism and the Jedi live on. Taoism is still practiced today, though it was nearly erased during the Cultural Revolution. Many Taoist teachings were preserved in secret, passed down through generations despite the threat of persecution. The Jedi, though largely destroyed, left behind a legacy that inspired hope and rebellion in the galaxy.
Both traditions remind us of the importance of balance and peace, and their stories serve as a warning against the dangers of unchecked power. Though the Taoists and Jedi were persecuted, their ideals continue to inspire. The lessons they taught—of wisdom, humility, and inner peace—have outlasted the regimes that sought to destroy them.
In the end, the parallels between the Taoist purge and Order 66 show that the struggle for balance and wisdom is timeless. Whether in the world of Star Wars or in the real history of China, the power of tradition, wisdom, and peace endures, even in the face of great adversity.