Taoism is an indigenous Chinese religion primarily practiced among the Han Chinese, though it has also spread to ethnic minority regions such as the Bai, Qiang, and Miao peoples, as well as to Southeast Asia, North America, and Europe.
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Founded around the reign of Emperor Shun of the Eastern Han Dynasty (126–144 AD), Taoism has a history spanning over 1,800 years. It venerates Laozi (Lao Tzu) as its founder and regards the Tao Te Ching (Dao De Jing) as its central scripture. The core belief of Taoism is the "Tao" (Dao), understood as the origin of all things and the natural order governing the universe. The Tao is both a transcendent force and a personified entity—hence the saying, "Laozi is the Tao," elevating him as Taishang Laojun (The Supreme Lord Lao). Taoism also teaches that "De" (virtue) manifests the Tao in society, and only by cultivating virtue can one attain harmony with the Tao. Through moral living, good deeds, and spiritual practices, adherents seek longevity and even immortality as "xian" (transcendent beings).
▲Chinese Taoist system
Historical Development
Early Taoism split into two sects: the Taiping Dao (Way of Great Peace) and the Wudoumi Dao (Way of Five Pecks of Rice), both linked to peasant uprisings in the late Eastern Han Dynasty. The former was suppressed, while the latter was co-opted.
During the Tang and Song Dynasties, Taoism flourished after reforms. By the Jin and Yuan Dynasties, Wang Chongyang and his disciple Qiu Chuji founded the Quanzhen School in northern China, emphasizing inner alchemy and monastic discipline. Meanwhile, the Zhengyi School, led by the Celestial Masters (Zhang Tian Shi) of Longhu Mountain, unified the Maoshan, Gezaoshan, and other ritual traditions. Both schools persist today with distinct lineages.
In the Ming Dynasty, the title "Celestial Master" was downgraded to "Zhenren (Perfected Being)." By the Qing Dynasty, imperial patronage ended, and Taoism declined.
Practices and Sects
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Quanzhen Taoists: Monastic, vegetarian, and wear their hair in a topknot with a Hunyuan hat. They study the Tao Te Ching, Heart Sutra, and Classic of Filial Piety, blending Confucian and Buddhist ideas. They focus on meditative cultivation over rituals.
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Zhengyi Taoists: Mostly lay practitioners who follow secular diets and attire but don Nine-Ridge Hats during ceremonies. They prioritize talismans (fu) and communal rites over ascetic training.
Taoism’s legacy endures as a spiritual path harmonizing philosophy, ethics, and mystical practice.
What Is the Symbol of Taoism?
The symbol of Taoism is the Taiji and Bagua diagram.
Taiji Diagram
The most recognizable part is the "
Yin-Yang Fish," featuring black and white sections. The white section (Yang) has a black dot, and the black section (Yin) has a white dot, showing the interdependence of Yin and Yang.
Bagua Diagram
From the
I Ching, the Bagua consists of eight trigrams: Qian, Kun, Zhen, Xun, Kan, Li, Gen, and Dui. These represent natural forces like heaven, earth, thunder, wind, water, fire, mountains, and lakes, and are used to understand changes in nature and society. Kun and Qian are especially important as they symbolize the fundamental creative forces of the universe.
Combined, the Taiji and Bagua form the Taiji Bagua diagram, a key Taoist symbol. It represents the laws governing all things in the universe and is believed to have the power to repel evil.
What is the meaning of Nature
Nature is the law of Dao.
Laozi wrote in
Tao Te Ching: "Man takes the earth as his model; the earth takes heaven as its model; heaven takes Dao as its model; and Dao takes nature as its model." In other words, the inherent nature of Dao is spontaneity (nature), and the law of Dao's spontaneity is what both heaven and earth follow. Since humans live between heaven and earth, the highest principle for their actions should also be to follow the law of Dao's natural spontaneity.
Nature has no fixed patterns. Dao gives birth to and transforms all things, and all creatures grow naturally according to their own inherent natures, without any imposed factors. This ensures the harmony of nature. When humans cultivate the true Dao, they should imitate the natural spontaneity of Dao, conform to the laws of natural changes in heaven and earth, respect the characteristics of all life in nature, and strive to maintain the harmony of nature.
Regarding all things in the human world, one should not force outcomes but comply with the natural laws of the development of things. One should know contentment, know when to stop, and know the constant principles, so as to keep the mind calm and the spirit elevated.
What is the Wuwei in Taosim?
Wuwei (无为), originating from
Laozi, who stated in
Tao Te Ching: "Therefore, the sage engages in wuwei (non-action) in his affairs and practices teaching without words... He makes the wise dare not act. By acting with wuwei, there is nothing that cannot be governed." Early Taoism regarded wuwei as the foundation for attaining the essence of Dao, gaining the will of heaven, and achieving peace.
Huainanzi·Yuandao (《淮南子・原道》) says: "What is called wuwei is not taking action before things [naturally] unfold; what is called 'there is nothing that cannot be done' is acting in accordance with the inherent tendencies of things." After the Wei and Jin dynasties, "wuwei" gradually became the basis of Taoism's social outlook. He Shanggong's Commentary on Laozi (《老子注》) claims: "Following Dao's wuwei benefits the spirit in governing the body and benefits all people in governing the state."
The "wuwei" related to "governing the body" should be such that "one does not act as a master of affairs, nor as a teacher of affairs; one is as silent as if there were no one around, reaching the state of wuwei." Only in this way, as Yunji Qiqian (《云笈七签》) suggests, can one purify the entire body, avoid danger, and stay away from blame. The "wuwei" related to "governing the state" should involve ruling the world in accordance with the laws of nature and social development, so that the common people can benefit.
Then, how can one achieve wuwei? Yunji Qiqian points out: "If you desire to attain wuwei, you must first avoid harm. How? Keep away from suspicion, keep away from petty people, keep away from improper gains, and be cautious in your movements; be careful with what you eat and drink, be careful with sharp words, be careful in noisy places, and be careful in physical fights. Always reflect on your mistakes, correct them, and follow goodness. Moreover, you should understand astronomy, geography, human affairs, spirits, timing, and numerology. In this way, you will achieve the same merits as the sages and share the same virtue as heaven."
It is evident that Taoism's "wuwei" is not passive withdrawal from the world, nor is it doing nothing at all. Instead, it requires diligent learning, proactive progress, a thorough understanding of the laws of nature and society, and skill in handling interpersonal relationships. One should act in accordance with "Dao," establish one's life in the world, and must abandon reckless actions, keep away from misfortune through prudence, and pursue the realm of simplicity, frugality, tranquility, and few desires.
