Donkeys have quietly carried meaning through human history and mythology — often overlooked, yet rich with symbolism. Unlike horses, which gallop through tales of power, wealth, and military conquest, donkeys take a humbler path. In the poetry of China’s Tang and Song dynasties, scholars who chose solitude and reflection are often pictured riding donkeys. This image evokes a life that’s materially modest, even “down and out” by worldly standards, but also deeply thoughtful and intentionally simple.
Far from being mere beasts of burden, donkeys came to symbolize a rare kind of nobility — one born not from status or ambition, but from inner calm, detachment, and philosophical depth. Riding a donkey was to embody humility and transcendence, a quiet stance against the rush for power and prestige. These humble animals carried not just people, but profound ideas about what it means to live a meaningful life.
The paper donkey: An ancient prophecy for today
Zhang Guolao, one of the legendary Eight Immortals of Chinese mythology, was known not only for his eccentric wisdom but also for the extraordinary creature he rode: a white donkey capable of traveling tens of thousands of miles in a single day. But this was no ordinary animal. When he no longer needed it, Zhang would fold the donkey flat — thin as a sheet of paper — and tuck it neatly into a small handkerchief box. When he wished to ride again, he would sprinkle water from his mouth onto the paper, and the donkey would ripple, rise, and transform back into a living creature, ready to carry him across mountains and skies.
Yet even more compelling than the magical donkey was the way Zhang Guolao chose to ride it — backward. This wasn’t a whimsical quirk, but a purposeful act full of meaning. Zhang believed the world was veering away from the Tao, the true and righteous path. Riding backward was his silent resistance, a symbolic gesture meant to draw attention to the moral confusion and decay around him.
Near the close of the Tang Dynasty — sometime between the 9th and 10th centuries — Zhang made a startling prophecy. He told Zhang Tianshi that 15 hundred years into the future, society would enter an age of “true chaos.” In that time, people would still look human, but their hearts would be lifeless — devoid of kindness, virtue, and truth. He foresaw a world in which government officials openly embraced corruption, where traditional values like filial piety were abandoned, and where selfishness and greed were no longer restrained or concealed, but flaunted, admired, and even celebrated.
His prophecy, made more than 15 centuries ago, speaks directly to the world we live in today — in an age where confusion is hailed as clarity and corruption masquerades as competence, Zhang Guolao’s backward ride serves as a wake-up call. It urges us to see with clear eyes and turn back toward integrity, humility, and timeless virtue — before we drift too far from what it truly means to be human.
The wise donkey: Turning crisis into opportunity
Beyond the legendary mount of Zhang Guolao, there is another tale — one of a wise donkey that transforms misfortune into fortune.
One day, a farmer’s donkey accidentally fell into a dry well. The farmer desperately searched for a way to rescue the trapped animal, but hours passed, and the donkey remained stuck, wailing in distress. Exhausted and frustrated, the farmer finally gave up. The donkey was old and, in his eyes, no longer worth the effort to save. Instead, he resolved to fill the well with dirt to close it off, accepting the loss and moving on.
So the farmer called on his neighbors for help. One by one, they grabbed their shovels and began to throw soil into the dry well. At first, the donkey cried out in distress, overwhelmed by the falling earth. But soon, a surprising silence followed.
Curious, the farmer peered down into the well — and what he saw astonished him. Each time the dirt landed on the donkey’s back, it would shake the soil off to the side and step upward onto the growing mound beneath it. With every shovel of dirt, the donkey rose higher and higher, using the very burden meant to bury it as a platform to escape.
Before long, the donkey reached the top of the well, leapt out, and ran off — leaving the onlookers stunned and inspired by its resilience and ingenuity.
Timeless lessons on virtue and resilience
These two tales — one rooted in prophecy, the other in practical wisdom — offer profound and complementary insights into the human experience. Zhang Guolao’s story of the paper donkey, and his backward ride as a warning to humanity, serves as a powerful symbol urging us to pause and reflect when society strays from integrity and goodness. His prophecy foretells a world where hearts grow cold and values erode, reminding us that true nobility is found not in status or power, but in living with virtue, purpose, and moral clarity.
In contrast, the story of the wise donkey speaks directly to the resilience that lives within each of us. Life inevitably burdens us with challenges that can feel overwhelming — moments when we feel trapped and powerless. Yet, like the donkey shaking off the dirt thrown into the well, we can choose to transform adversity into opportunity. Each trial becomes a foundation for growth, every setback a chance to rise stronger and nurture the goodness within.
Together, these stories reveal a timeless truth: amid the chaos and adversity of our era, the path forward demands both awareness and action. We must first recognize when the world — and our own hearts — are faltering, then summon the courage, creativity, and resilience to rise above. In doing so, we reclaim not only our dignity but also awaken the enduring spirit of hope, strength, and transcendence that defines the best of humanity.
Translated by Joseph Wu
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