Abstract: “Tao” is the ontological basis of Laozi ecological wisdom. “Tao”, bearing such characteristics as the originality, naturality, nothingness, globality, selflessness, resilience, practicalness, is a kind of nonanthropocentric equal value and intrinsic value. The originality of “Tao” reveals the basis of ontology of ecological value; the naturalness of “Tao” shows the ecological mode of existence of the world; the nothingness of “Tao” displays the nonutilitarian ecological value; the integrity of “Tao” illustrates the ecological diversity and unity of the world; the selfless nature of “Tao” embodies the equality of ecological value; the resilience of “Tao” implies the law of ecological world; the practice indicates the farreaching effect of ecological wisdom.

Key words: Laozi, Tao, characteristics, ecological interpretation