Daoism
Way-following Chinese tradition
Daoism is a Chinese philosophical and religious tradition emphasizing harmony with the Dao—the fundamental, ineffable principle underlying all existence.
Classical Daoist texts like the *Dao De Jing* and *Zhuangzi* advocate naturalness, simplicity, and non-action (wu wei): achieving ends through effortless alignment with nature rather than forceful striving.
Religious Daoism developed rituals, deities, and practices aimed at immortality and spiritual cultivation.
Also spelled Taoism.
Taoism's legendary founder
- yin yangComplementary opposing forces
- naturalnessUnaffected, uncontrived quality
- spontaneityActing without forethought
- emptinessAbsence of substance
simplicity · harmony · virtue · nameless · eternal · way · ineffable · paradox
Taoism's legendary founder
- Han dynastyMajor ancient Chinese empire
- lineageDescent from progenitors
- transmissionSending of information
- patriarchMale head of family
reform · persecution · revival · influence · syncretism · Buddhism · Confucianism
Exemption from death
- alchemyMystical metal transformation
- Jade EmperorTaoist ruler of heaven
- templeSacred worship structure
- priestOne who performs sacraments
ritual · incense · talisman · scripture · pantheon · deity · ancestor · offering
Accepted authoritative works
- commentaryExplanatory remarks on events
- classicOf lasting excellence
- scriptureSacred religious writings
- chapterDivision of a book
verse · aphorism · parable · allegory · translation · interpretation · Tao Te Ching
Vital life energy
- yinFeminine cosmic force
- yangBright masculine cosmic force
- taijiChinese internal martial art
- five elementsFive basic natural principles
primordial · void · creation · return · cycles · heaven · earth · nature
Chinese health cultivation art
- tai chiSlow Chinese martial practice
- meditationFocused attention practice
- breathworkTherapeutic breathing exercises
- fastingDeliberate food avoidance
visualization · longevity · cultivation · meridian · energy · elixir · refinement · stillness
Laozi
Taoism's legendary founder
- yin yangComplementary opposing forces
- naturalnessUnaffected, uncontrived quality
- spontaneityActing without forethought
emptiness · simplicity · harmony · virtue · nameless · eternal · way · ineffable · paradox · relativism
Laozi
Taoism's legendary founder
- Han dynastyMajor ancient Chinese empire
- lineageDescent from progenitors
- transmissionSending of information
patriarch · reform · persecution · revival · influence · syncretism · Buddhism · Confucianism
immortality
Exemption from death
- alchemyMystical metal transformation
- Jade EmperorTaoist ruler of heaven
- templeSacred worship structure
priest · ritual · incense · talisman · scripture · pantheon · deity · ancestor · offering · meditation
canon
Accepted authoritative works
- commentaryExplanatory remarks on events
- classicOf lasting excellence
- scriptureSacred religious writings
chapter · verse · aphorism · parable · allegory · translation · interpretation · Tao Te Ching
qi
Vital life energy
five elements · primordial · void · creation · return · cycles · heaven · earth · nature · cosmos
qigong
Chinese health cultivation art
- tai chiSlow Chinese martial practice
- meditationFocused attention practice
- breathworkTherapeutic breathing exercises
fasting · visualization · longevity · cultivation · meridian · energy · elixir · refinement · stillness · sitting
- Chinese cultureConfucianism, Chinese calligraphy, Beijing, Chinese New Year, Shanghai
- East AsiaChina, Japan, South Korea, North Korea, Korea
- Ancient ChinaShang dynasty, Han dynasty, Confucius, Warring States period, oracle bones
- TaoismTao, Laozi, Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, yin
- Chinese philosophyConfucianism, Confucius, Tao, dao, Neo-Confucianism
- Chinese Religionancestor veneration, Confucianism, Buddhism, Laozi, ancestral rites
Daoismmechanism
Means by which something operates
monotheism · determinism · Christianity · rationalism · Islam
Daoismindustrialism
Factory-based economic system
technocracy · modernism · progressivism · urbanism · utilitarianism