What is Three Realms 三界?
Paul PengThe Three Realms refer to the Heavenly Realm, the Earthly Realm, and the Human Realm.
The Heavenly Realm is where immortals wander; the Earthly Realm is where ghosts and monsters lurk; the Human Realm is where humans live. The mountain gate of a Taoist temple usually has three doorways, symbolizing the Three Realms. Entering the mountain gate means stepping out of the Three Realms and being free from the Five Elements.
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This article is part of our comprehensive guide covering all core Taoist philosophies, concepts, and practices — curated from the classic Encyclopedia of Taoism.
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