The Tao Of Tintin

The Adventures of Tintin
On January 10, 1929, the first series of comic strips titled “The Adventures of Tintin” were published in French in a Belgian newspaper. The author, young Belgian artist Georges Remi (1907-1983), used the pen name of Hergé all his life. The series hero is a young Belgian reporter, Tintin, who is accompanied by his white fox terrier dog, Snowy (Milou in French), on all kinds of adventures around the world.
The stories that turned into 24 books translated into more than 50 languages, have become theatre pieces and movies. The stories are varied in topics featuring fantasies, mystery, politics, travel, adventure, science fiction, humor and social criticism. More than 200 million copies have been sold and they are still selling strong. In the National bookstore in Palatino mall in Bogota, Colombia, just 3 days ago, the whole set was offered with two unknown titles for around $350 U.S. dollars including a blue metal case. Luckily, I already have my own set.
The Tao Te Ching
The Tao Te Ching is a Chinese classic text written around the 6th century BC by a record-keeper and sage of the Zhou Dynasty Court, Lao Tse. The text has been a source of inspiration throughout the world and a fundamental piece to Chinese philosophy, religion (Taoism and Chinese Buddhism), art, poetry and landscaping.
Lao Tse wrote that earth was in essence a reflection of heaven and run by the same universal laws. The more man interfered with the natural harmony produced by these laws the more difficulties would be created for man and the earth (think about global warming).
The world was in effect a complete and fair teacher of these valuable laws. What was operating behind everything was the TAO, “the way”.
Pure Taoism differs from Buddhism in that the Buddhists see the way to Nirvana cut short constantly by what they see as the bitter reality of everyday existence. Lao Tse believed more in cultivating a particular way of appreciating life by learning from, being attentive to the present and working with everyday life, every moment. Serenity and quiet laughter, subtle humor are essential in Taoist philosophy.
The main difference with Confucians is the steering away from the past rituals and maintaining a focus on the ever-changing fertile present.


Drawings taken from: “Tintin – The Blue Lotus” by Hergé, Mammoth 1984.
Text written by David D’Achiardi