Taoism

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

Understanding Taoism: Ancient philosophy and way of life

A sculpture of Laozi

Hsü Tao-ning: Fishing in a Mountain Stream

A Taoist ritual

Temple in the sky

The Tao of the paintbrush

For Students

A sculpture of Laozi

Taoism: Facts & Related Content

Written and fact-checked by The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Facts

Also Known As	Daoism

Photos and Videos

A sculpture of Laozi

Hsü Tao-ning: Fishing in a Mountain Stream

A Taoist ritual

Temple in the sky

The Tao of the paintbrush

Understanding Taoism: Ancient philosophy and way of life

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Topics

Gezao Dark Learning shenjiao Taiyi Niu Lang tianzun Jingmingzhongxiaodao Zhendadao Quanzhen neidan Christianity Judaism Hinduism Buddhism Islam Sikhism Confucianism Roman religion Jainism Zoroastrianism

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Key People

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Ji Kang

Chinese philosopher

A sculpture of Laozi

Laozi

Chinese Daoist philosopher

Zhuang Zhou

Zhuang Zhou

Chinese Daoist philosopher

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Liezi

Daoist philosopher

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Zhao Youqin

Chinese astronomer, mathematician, and Daoist

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Kou Qianzhi

Chinese Daoist

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Li Shaojun

Chinese Daoist

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He Yan

Chinese philosopher

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Ge Hong

Chinese alchemist

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Tu Kuang-t’ing

Taoist scholar

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Lu Hsiu-ching

Chinese Daoist

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Tao Hongjing

Chinese Daoist

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Ch’ang-ch’un

Chinese monk

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Liu An

Chinese scholar

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Kim Sisŭp

Korean author

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Yang Zhu

Chinese philosopher