Taoists
Chinese philosophy adherents
Taoists are followers of Taoism, the Chinese philosophical and religious tradition based on the Tao Te Ching and the concept of the Tao—the natural way or path underlying all existence.
The tradition emphasizes harmony with nature, simplicity, and spontaneous action without force.
Taoists practice meditation and seek balance between yin and yang.
Taoism's legendary founder
- I ChingChinese divination classic
- Jade EmperorTaoist ruler of heaven
- lineageDescent from progenitors
- ordinationClergy appointment ceremony
Complementary opposing forces
- qiVital life energy
- emptinessAbsence of substance
- naturalnessUnaffected, uncontrived quality
- spontaneityActing without forethought
effortlessness · paradox · relativity · transformation · impermanence · namelessness · formlessness · mystery
Focused attention practice
- qigongChinese health cultivation art
- tai chiSlow Chinese martial practice
- alchemyMystical metal transformation
- breathworkTherapeutic breathing exercises
fasting · visualization · chanting · divination · feng shui · elixir · cauldron · circulation
Opposing yet interdependent principles
- five elementsFive basic natural principles
- qiVital life energy
- primordial chaosFormless state before creation
- taijiChinese internal martial art
creation · shen · microcosm · macrocosm · correspondence · cycles · seasons · trigrams
Agreement or musical blend
- balanceSteadiness or amount owed
- humilityFreedom from arrogance
- simplicityLack of complexity
- contentmentPeaceful satisfaction with circumstances
detachment · patience · gentleness · compassion · moderation · tranquility · serenity · stillness
Profoundly learned people
- adeptsHighly skilled people
- transcendentsThose surpassing ordinary limits
- elixir of lifeLegendary immortality concoction
- longevityDuration of existence
Laozi
Taoism's legendary founder
- I ChingChinese divination classic
- Jade EmperorTaoist ruler of heaven
- lineageDescent from progenitors
yin yang
Complementary opposing forces
- qiVital life energy
- emptinessAbsence of substance
- naturalnessUnaffected, uncontrived quality
spontaneity · effortlessness · paradox · relativity · transformation · impermanence · namelessness · formlessness · mystery · reversal
meditation
Focused attention practice
- qigongChinese health cultivation art
- tai chiSlow Chinese martial practice
- alchemyMystical metal transformation
breathwork · fasting · visualization · chanting · divination · feng shui · elixir · cauldron · circulation · refinement
yin and yang
Opposing yet interdependent principles
- five elementsFive basic natural principles
- qiVital life energy
- primordial chaosFormless state before creation
taiji · creation · shen · microcosm · macrocosm · correspondence · cycles · seasons · trigrams · hexagrams
harmony
Agreement or musical blend
- balanceSteadiness or amount owed
- humilityFreedom from arrogance
- simplicityLack of complexity
contentment · detachment · patience · gentleness · compassion · moderation · tranquility · serenity · stillness · purity
sages
Profoundly learned people
- adeptsHighly skilled people
- transcendentsThose surpassing ordinary limits
- elixir of lifeLegendary immortality concoction
- FaithsChristians, Catholics, Buddhists, Hindus, Jews
- demographicspopulation density, population growth, age distribution, population, gender ratio
- believersbeliever, believers, adherent, devotee, theist
- ancient paganspagans, polytheists, druids, animists, sun worshippers
Taoistssocial reformers
Advocates for systemic change
political activists · bureaucrats · empire builders · conquerors · interventionists
Taoistsrationalists
Advocates of reasoned thinking
materialists · empiricists · systematizers · dogmatists · literalists