The Fables and Metaphors of Monsters in Zhuangzi–Based on De Chong Fu

Zhuangzi, the most literary book in Taoist literature, contains many fables. Zhuangzi himself calls his work “Imputed words make up nine-tenths of it”（寓言十九）and “Imputed words to impart greater breadth”（寓言為廣）. Inner Chapter 5 (The Sign of Virtue Complete-De Chong Fu 德充符) contains 5 fables that illustrate 6 abnormal characters that we may conceive of as monsters. The fables in De Chong Fu all tell stories about saints who either suffer from punishment-induced disabilities or are born disabled, but the stories do not focus on their appearance. Zhuangzi emphasizes that their inner being is filled with “virtue”. From this perspective, De Chong Fu serves as a declaration for vulnerable groups, especially those with flaws in their appearance. Their fables embody Zhuangzi’s idea that “Virtue is filled with the inside, and things should be given to the outside”. Zhuangzi’s use of monsters serves as a metaphor for the limitations of human understanding, suggesting that perceived boundaries between life and death, beauty and ugliness, and nobleness and lowness are arbitrary constructs. In the important dialogue demonstrating “Virtue Complete”, Zhuangzi also employs some specific metaphors to convey his ideas, for example, water, animals, arrows, etc. to make his fables more literary and easier to comprehend. This chapter champions a philosophy that values adaptability and openness over rigidity, suggesting that true wisdom lies in recognizing the value within our fragmented selves and the world around us.