Tao
The eternal path
Tao is the central concept in Taoist philosophy, representing the fundamental, nameless force underlying all existence—the natural order of the universe that cannot be fully described in words.
The Tao Te Ching, attributed to Laozi, explores this principle through paradox and poetic imagery.
In philosophical contexts, the Tao is that which precedes and generates all things, the way reality flows when unobstructed by human interference. (Lowercase tao appears in casual or derivative uses.)
Chinese duality symbol
- yinFeminine cosmic force
- yangBright masculine cosmic force
- I ChingChinese divination classic
- dualityTwofold nature
polarity · complementary · opposites · interdependence · chi · vital force · primordial · creation
Philosophy of natural harmony
- LaoziTaoism's legendary founder
- nonactionDeliberate absence of response
- naturalnessUnaffected, uncontrived quality
- spontaneityActing without forethought
effortlessness · simplicity · emptiness · nameless · eternal · formless · ineffable · paradox
Steadiness or amount owed
- equilibriumState of balance
- flowUnbroken forward movement
- naturalnessUnaffected, uncontrived quality
- unityWholeness through cohesion
accord · attunement · alignment · integration · centering · stillness · tranquility · serenity
Route or method
- pathRoute for traveling
- journeyTravel from place to place
- coursePlanned path forward
- directionWay something faces
road · guide · following · seeking · cultivation · practice · discipline · self-cultivation
Profound spiritual awakening
- meditationFocused attention practice
- transcendenceSurpassing usual limits
- awakeningReturn to consciousness
- mindfulnessAwareness of the present
contemplation · inner peace · detachment · surrender · letting go · presence · awareness · insight
Disputed East Asian island-state
- flying fishMarine glider with fins
- aboriginalIndigenous to a place
- AustronesianPacific-spanning language family
- canoeSlender paddled vessel
fishing · islander · indigenous · Pacific
yin-yang
Chinese duality symbol
duality · polarity · complementary · opposites · interdependence · chi · vital force · primordial · creation · transformation
Daoism
Philosophy of natural harmony
- LaoziTaoism's legendary founder
- nonactionDeliberate absence of response
- naturalnessUnaffected, uncontrived quality
spontaneity · effortlessness · simplicity · emptiness · nameless · eternal · formless · ineffable · paradox · metaphysics
balance
Steadiness or amount owed
- equilibriumState of balance
- flowUnbroken forward movement
- naturalnessUnaffected, uncontrived quality
unity · accord · attunement · alignment · integration · centering · stillness · tranquility · serenity · peace
way
Route or method
direction · road · guide · following · seeking · cultivation · practice · discipline · self-cultivation · spiritual path
enlightenment
Profound spiritual awakening
- meditationFocused attention practice
- transcendenceSurpassing usual limits
- awakeningReturn to consciousness
mindfulness · contemplation · inner peace · detachment · surrender · letting go · presence · awareness · insight · realization
Taiwan
Disputed East Asian island-state
- flying fishMarine glider with fins
- aboriginalIndigenous to a place
- AustronesianPacific-spanning language family
canoe · fishing · islander · indigenous · Pacific
pantheon
All gods of a religion
- deitiesWorshipped supernatural beings
- immortalsBeings that cannot perish
- alchemyMystical metal transformation
elixir · longevity · temples · priests · scriptures · incense · talismans · ordination · liturgy · Jade Emperor
- Chinese Mythologycreation story, Jade Emperor, white snake, celestial beings, fox spirits
- Eastern WisdomConfucius, Lao Tzu, I Ching, Analects, Sun Tzu
- spiritualitysacred, enlightened, divine, holy, spiritual growth
- Fictional CatsGarfield, Felix, Sylvester, Tom, Cheshire Cat
- MathematiciansEuclid, Gauss, Euler, Archimedes, Pythagoras
- TaoismDaoism, Laozi, Lao Tzu, yin, yang
Taoartifice
Clever deceptive strategy
contrivance · unnaturalness · manipulation · coercion · force
Taodogma
Unchallengeable official beliefs
doctrine · creed · catechism · literalism · fundamentalism
Taoforcing
Compelling through pressure
striving · willfulness · grasping · resistance · struggle
- Tao Te ChingAncient wisdom text on virtue
- General TaoSauced fried chicken dish
- General Tao's chickenBattered fowl in spicy-sweet glaze