Taoism Symbols

What we mean by Taoism symbols? Several images and signs pointing to the basic concepts and beliefs in Taoism. Some of these symbols are borrowed from the I-ching symbolism. See also => What is Taoism | Quotes | Taoism Founder | Taoism Courses Yin-Yang dyagram - the most important of all Taoist symbols, yin and yang represents the Movement of Heaven or the Tao. Pakua - the 8 trigrams that constitutes the inner structure of the 64 hexagrams of Iching. Pakua are created by Fuhsi

The I-ching coin - 3 coins are used to consult the oracle

Kua - a hexagram is formed of 6 continuous or/and discontinuous lines.

Fu-hsi - the creator of pakua, the Chinese cultural hero

The sacred tortoise with pakua on its back - symbol of wisdom and divinatory power

The Dragon symbol of Yang power. It is also the symbol of the sage or saint.

The 3 sages Buddha, Confucius and Lao-tzu

The Yin-Yang graph.

Wang-Wu or the tenthousand-thing graph

Te - usually translated by virtue or power (of tao) - graph

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Daoism : Definition, history & origin

Taoism or Daoism is usually described as an Asian philosophy and religion, although it is also said to be neither but rather an aspect of Chinese wisdom. Translated literally, it means "the Teaching of the Way" or "Path", or "Tao". In Taoist context, Tao can be understood as a space-time path--the order in which things happen. As a descriptive term, it can be taken to refer to the actual world in history--sometimes distinguished as "great Dao" or prescriptively, as an order that should unfold--the moral way of Confucius or Laozi or Christ or . . . . A theme in early Chinese thought is Tian-dao or way of nature (also translated as 'heaven' 'sky' and sometimes 'God'). This would correspond roughly to the order of things according to natural law. Both 'nature's way' and 'great way' can inspire the stereotypical Taoist detachment from moral or normative doctrines. Thus, thought of as the course by which everything comes to be what it is (the "Mother of everything") it seems hard to imagine that we have to select among any accounts of its normative content--thus it can be seen as an efficient principle of "emptiness" that

reliably underlies the operation of the universe. Taoism is a tradition that has, with its traditional foil Confucianism, shaped Chinese life for more than 2,000 years. Taoism places emphasis upon spontaneity or freedom from social-cultural manipulation through institutions, language and cultural practices. Because the Confucian concept of government consists of getting everyone to follow the same moral tao, it manifests as anarchism--essentially championing the idea that we need no such centralized guidance. Natural kinds follow ways appropriate to themselves and humans are a natural kind. We all go through processes of acquiring different norms and guidance from society and yet we can live in peace if we don't seek to unify all these natural ways of being. Thus, Taoism represents in many ways the antithesis to Confucian concern with moral duties, social cohesion, and governmental responsibilities, even if Confucius's thought includes those Taoist values and the reverse, as one can read in the Analects of Confucius.

1 -[Daoism : Definition, history & origin] 2 -[Daoism : Taoist philosophy] 3 -[Daoism : The Taoist religion] From the Way arises one (that which is aware), from which awareness in turn arises the concept of two (yin and yang), from which the number three is implied (heaven, earth and humanity); finally producing by extension the entirety of the world as we know it, the ten thousand things, through the harmony of the Wuxing. The Way as it cycles through the five elements of the Wuxing is also said to be circular, acting upon itself through change to affect a cycle of life and death in the ten thousand things of the phenomenal universe. Act in accordance with nature, and with finesse rather than force. The correct perspective should be found for one's mental activities until a deeper source is found for guiding one's interaction with the universe (see 'wu wei' below). Desire hinders one's ability to understand The Way (see also karma), and tempering desire breeds contentment. Taoists believe that when one desire is satisfied, another, more ambitious desire will simply spring up to replace it. In essence, most Taoists feel that life should be appreciated as it is, rather than forced to be something it is not. Ideally, one should not desire anything, not even non-desire. Oneness: By realising that all things (including ourselves) are interdependent and constantly redefined as circumstances change, we come to see all things as they are, and ourselves as a simple part of the current moment. This understanding of oneness leads us to an appreciation of life's events and our place within them as simple miraculous moments which "simply are". Dualism, the opposition and combination of the Universe's two basic principles of Yin and Yang is a large part of the basic philosophy. Some of the common associations with Yang and Yin, respectively, are: male and female, light and dark, active and passive, motion and stillness. Taoists believe that neither side is more important or

better than the other; indeed, neither can exist without the other, as they are equal aspects of the whole. They are ultimately an artificial distinction based on our perceptions of the ten thousand things, so it is only our perception of them that really changes. Wu Wei

Much of the essence of Tao is in the art of wu wei (action through inaction). However, this does not mean, "sit doing nothing and wait for everything to fall into your lap". It describes a practice of accomplishing things through minimal action. By studying the nature of life, you can affect it in the easiest and least disruptive way (using finesse rather than force). The practice of working with the stream rather than against it is an illustration; one progresses the most not by struggling against the stream and thrashing about, but by remaining still and letting the stream do all the work. Wu Wei works once we trust our human "design," which is perfectly suited for our place within nature. In other words, by trusting our nature rather than our mental contrivances, we can find contentment without a life of constant striving against forces real and imagined. Though specific religious aspects are not mentioned in the Dao De Jing or Zhuang Zi, as Taoism spread through the population of China it became mixed with other, pre-existing beliefs, such as Five Elements theory, alchemy, ancestor worship, and magic spells. Chinese Chan Buddhism was also directly influenced by Taoist philosophies. Eventually elements of Taoism were combined with elements of Buddhism and Confucianism in the form of Neo-Confucianism. Attempts to procure greater longevity were a frequent theme in Taoist alchemy and magic, with many extant spells and potions for that purpose. Many early versions of Chinese medicine were rooted in Taoist thought, and modern Chinese medicine as well as Chinese martial arts are still in many ways concerned with Taoist concepts such as Tao, Qi, and the balance of Yin and Yang. In addition, a Taoist church was formed, originally being established in the Eastern Han dynasty by Zhang Daoling. Many sects evolved over the years, but most trace their authority to Zhang Daoling, and most modern Taoist temples belong to one or another of these sects. The Taoist churches incorporated entire pantheons of deities, including Lao zi, Zhang Daoling, the Yellow Emperor, the Jade Emperor, Lei Gong (The God of Thunder) and others. The two major Taoists churches today are the Zhengyi Sect (evolved from a sect founded by Zhang Daoling) and Quanzhen Taoism (founded by Wang Chongyang).

he (Sophia) is an inexhaustible treasure for mankind; She blesses the world with Supreme wisdom, and allows all people to realize their

unity with God. She is the Supreme Spirit: All-knowing and sacred; One, yet pervading many, subtle, ever-free, lucid, stainless, clear, and invincible. She is the love of goodness, ever-ready, unobstructed, beneficent, kindly toward all, steadfast, unerring, and untouched by care. She is all-powerful, the witness of all, and found in those who are wise, pure-hearted, and humble. Sophia moves more easily than motion itself; By reason of Her purity She permeates all things. She is like a fine mist rising from the power of God, The divine radiance streaming from the glory of the Almighty. Nothing can stain Her immaculate purity. She is the shimmering glow of everlasting Light, The flawless mirror of God's Power on earth, The supreme image of all good things. Though one, She becomes everything; from within herself, by Her own power, makes all things new. Age after age She enters into holy souls, making them perfect, and leading them back to God. For God only accepts those who have made their home with Sophia. She is fairer than the sun, and greater than every constellation. She is more radiant than the light of day for day is overcome by night, but against Sophia no darkness can prevail.