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Taoism
Table of Contents
Introduction & Top Questions
General characteristics
The great sages and their associated texts
Laozi and the Tao-te Ching
The interpretation of Zhuang Zhou
Basic concepts of Taoism
Concepts of the universe and natural order
Cosmology
The microcosm-macrocosm concept
Return to the Tao
Change and transformation
Concepts of human being and society
Wuwei
The social ideal of primitivism
Ideas of knowledge and language
Identity of life and death
Religious goals of the individual
Symbolism and mythology
Early eclectic contributions
The idea of yin and yang
The idea of
qi
The idea of wuxing
Yang Zhu and the
Liezi
Guanzi
and
Huainanzi
History
Taoism in the Qin and Han periods (221
bce
–220
ce
) of the Chinese empire
Esoteric traditions of eastern China
The Huang-Lao tradition
Revolutionary messianism
Development of the Taoist religion from the 2nd to the 6th century
The emergence of a “Taocracy”
The Way of the Celestial Masters
Communal ceremonies
Official recognition of the Taoist organization
The literature of Taoist esoterism
The scholiasts
Lives of the Immortals
Inscriptions
Texts on the cult of Laozi
The Southern tradition
Developments in alchemical and other traditions
The Maoshan Revelations
The Lingbao scriptures and liturgies
The great Southern masters
State Taoism in the North
Taoism under the Tang, Song, and later dynasties
Taoism under the Tang dynasty (618–907)
Taoism under the Song and Yuan dynasties
Internal developments
Literary developments
Alchemical developments
Syncretism
Developments outside the official current
Communal folk Taoism (shenjiao)
Secret societies
Influence
Taoism and Chinese culture
Taoist contributions to Chinese science
Taoist imagery
Influence on secular literature
Influence on the visual arts
Taoism and other religions
Confucianism and Buddhism
Other Asian religions
Taoism in modern times
References & Edit History
Quick Facts & Related Topics
Images & Videos
For Students
Daoism summary
Related Questions
What are the basic teachings of Daoism?
Who were the great teachers of Daoism?
How does Daoism differ from Confucianism?
Contents
Home
Philosophy & Religion
Philosophical Issues
Taoism: Media
Chinese philosophy and religion
Share
Videos
Understanding Taoism: Ancient philosophy and way of life
Questions and answers about the religio-philosophical Chinese tradition of Taoism.
Video: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Images
A sculpture of Laozi
Laozi depicted in a sculpture located north of Quanzhou, Fujian province, China.
Thanato
Zhuang Zhou
Taoist master Zhuang Zhou, commonly known as Zhuangzi (“Master Zhuang”), detail,...
Courtesy of the National Palace Museum, Taiwan, Republic of China
Hsü Tao-ning:
Fishing in a Mountain Stream
Fishing in a Mountain Stream
, detail of an ink drawing on silk by Hsü Tao-ning,...
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, Missouri (Nelson Fund)
Yinyang symbol
Yin and yang forces are often depicted in a circle illustrating their interconnectedness...
© Eloku—iStock/Getty Images
A Taoist ritual
Taoist monks taking part in a ritual at the Temple of the City God, also called Old...
© Shawn McCullars
Taoist flutist
A monk from the Taoist tradition playing a flute at the Temple of the City God, also...
© Shawn McCullars
Temple in the sky
Taoist temple on Laojun Mountain, Luoyang, Henan, China.
© Wang Yukun—Moment/Getty Images
The Tao of the paintbrush
A Tall Pine and Taoist Immortal
, ink and color on silk hanging scroll with...
National Palace Museum, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
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