Zhang Yimou's Hero is a rare production in the history of Chinese cinema. In addition to achieving blockbuster status in the West that few Chinese films have managed to achieve, it is also hugely successful domestically. However, just like many other well-received films that came before it, Hero has been subject to various interpretations. Critics seem particularly unable to decide on the traditional Chinese philosophy behind Hero. Some see it as the epitome of Confucian teachings on loyalty (Louie), while others argue that it “chooses a legalistic narrative to judge the moral health of the nation… [and] challenge[s] the social morality of Confucianism” (Rawnsley) . Few, however, have looked at Hero through the lens of Taoism. However, the Taoist influence in this film is undeniable. Describing the lives of youxia (knight errant), combining wen and wu (literary and martial), and expounding the idea of ​​tianzizhijian (the sword of the Son of Heaven), Zhang Yimou introduces Taoist ideals in his retelling of the classic Chinese tale, l Jing Ke's assassination of Emperor Qin. Knight-errant The concept of youxia was first introduced by Sima Qian, in Shiji (around 100 BC), as someone "honest in speech, effective in action, faithful in keeping promises, and fearless in delivery." his life to free the righteous from slavery” (Guo 35). According to Sima Qian's account, these courageous individuals, most of whom lived on the eve of the Warring States period, often resorted to violence to secure personal justice for themselves, regardless of the consequences of their actions. As this image of youxia has transcended over time, the individualistic personality, anarchic attitude and high moral standard have become the predominant characteristics of the knight errant (Li...... middle of paper ..... Chinese Lobal Cinema: The Culture and Politics of the Hero. Gary D. Rawnsley and Ming-Yeh T. Rawnsley New York: Routledge, 2010. Print. Lao Tzu Te Ching: The Classic Book of Integrity Trans Victor H. Mair. New York: Bantam Books, 1990. Print. Liu, James JY. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1967. Print. Louie, Kam and Village Idiot: “Global Chinese Cinema: Culture and Politics of Hero Eds, Gary. "Hero: Rewriting the Global Chinese Film Genre: The Culture and Politics of Hero. Gary D. Rawnsley and Ming-Yeh T. Rawnsley New York: Routledge, 2010. Print. Zhang, Yimou, dir Hero. Sil-Metropole Organization Ltd, 2002. DVD.