TAO I S M

Michelle Azutea
Lei Llabres
Laurisse Anne Magpayo
Juniel Tuazon
Zaldy Bryan Bajada
 Founder(s)
Many give credit to Laozi, born
around 614 B.C.E (older than even
Confucius)
His writings began the Taoist
movement.
Historians dispute over the exact time
of founding, others disputes refer to
the existence of Laozi at all.
Laozi is the author of Tao-te ching,
which Taoism bases its philosophy
off of.
Laozi literally means “Old Master”
Historical Context Of Founding
 The foundational text of Taoism is
“Daode Jing”, meaning Scripture of the
Way and its Virtue. This was written by
Laozi, the assumed founder of the
philosophy. It was written to confront
the reader with Daoism's essential point,
which is: “The Dao that can be trodden
is not the enduring and unchanging Dao.
The name that can be named is not the
enduring and unchanging name”
Symbol(s) of Taoism
Taoism had many different symbols, both derived
from everyday items surrounding them and also
other new formed symbols that originated based
on their ideals.

•The Yin-Yang is the infamous symbol of the

Taoists that represents the main ideals of their
philosophy involving balance of weakness (yin)
and strength (yang).
• Mountains are another important symbol of the
Taoists, depicted in their art forms, that
represents the land of the immortals and retreat
from the negative.
• Another sacred symbol of the Taoists was the
tortoise which represented immorality in their
philosophy.
•The Yang, strength, is not only represented by
the Yin-Yang symbol but also a dragon.
 Deities’ Names
Along with the philosophy of Taoism came a list of deities worshiped in their tempes. In
these temples different ceremonies for each of their deities were conducted.
 Yu-huang is considered the Jade Emperor, meaning he is the highest God of the Taoists.
All other gods must report to him, and his function was to serve justice.
 San-ch’ing is translated into The Three Ones. They are Yu-ch’ing, known as Jade Pure,
Shang-ch’ing, known as Upper Pure, and T’ai-ch’ing, known as Great Pure. They were
not rulers, but they sought to save mankind by teaching and benevolence.
 Though Yu-huang is the High God, other dieties, such as Yuan-shih T'ien-tsun, are above
him. He is considered the first principle, and he is self-existing, invisible, limitless, is
present in all places, and is the source of all truths.
 Location of Origin
Taoism originated
in Classical China,
providing
explanation as to
why all of central
writings are in
Chinese.

It is an Eastern
religious
philosophy.
Classical China
 Major Locations Today
Taoism has spread from it roots in China
all across the globe.
While it is still popular today in China, it
is more popular in modern day Taiwan. It
is also popular today in the United States
of America. With the stress of everyday
life at an all time high Americans like the
simplicity and harmony of the religion.
 Many “Taoist Hermits” are spread
throughout the country, and practice the
philosophies of Taoism by themselves in
seclusion from the rest of civilization.
 Number of Followers
While it is difficult to get an exact
number of followers modern day,
reliable data bases point towards
approximately 20 million modern day
followers spread throughout the globe.

 Of the approximately 20 million

followers, about 30,000 of them are
believed to life in the US, predominantly
in the western half of the country.
Number of Followers
How and Why the Philosophy Spread
Taoism spread successfully
and swiftly from its roots in
ancient China.

Taoism was a religion

appreciated by the upper
class and high level society,
leading it to gain the
respect of imperial
governments and spread
rather quickly.
 Holy Books and Important Texts
 Tao te Ching- “Morality Scripture” a collection of stories and poems
written by Lao Tze. The book explains the way of the Tao, and how to
properly live.
 Chuan Tzu- written by Chuang Tzu or Zhang zi (same person) is a
collection of primary Taoist doctrines. It includes the Wu-wei which talks
about how to be in harmony with the Tao.
 Lie Zi- written by Lie Yukou who was believed to be a hundred schools of
thought philosopher.
 Roles of Men and Women
Men had a much higher role in
society than woman during the time
period, and this was held true in the
teachings of the Taoists.
 However, Taoists did see women
higher than normal because they
create life, and there is an emphasis
on harmony with the earth, which is
seen in the natural qualities of
females.
 However, women were not allowed
to make social decisions and were
expected to run the household.
 Places of Worship
The Taoists worshiped in the Gong,
or temple, where they would
perform their various ceremonies
Diverse in size relative to location
and demography of attending people
 Shows a new twist on traditional
Chinese architecture like the Dragon
and Tiger that are in the front of the
temple and are wooden framed,
typically built along mountains
Used Taoist symbols to decorate
wood work of the hall of the
temples
Holidays
The main holidays of the Taoists are:

Chinese New Year (beginning of

New Year – different than lunar calendar)
Lantern Festival (First Full moon of
the year)
Tomb Sweeping Day (day of
ceremonies at the tomb of ancestors)
Ghost Festival (like the Chinese
Halloween)
Dragon Boat Festival (poet’s day)
Mid-Autumn Festival (family
members celebrate, Spring Festival)
 Major Beliefs
Creation Story

The story of the Chinese philosophical creation

talks about the Myth of Pan Ku: Creation and the
Universal Egg. In the beginning of time, there was
chaos, and the shape of the chaos was an egg. For
18,000 years the egg was incubating until it
hatched, and when it hatched, the heavens and the
earth came into existence. At the same, the giant
Pan Ku was born. His size divided heaven and
earth, and with the assistance of four creatures, a
tortoise, a dragon, a phoenix, and a unicorn, he
created the earth that’s seen today. When Pan Ku
perished, he became “one with nature” meaning his
body transformed into the environment.
 Major Beliefs
End Times Story
The Taoists did not actually believe in
the end of time, they did agree with the
fact of death as a natural part of life (did
not have significance on their way of
living)
They did not believe in an afterlife, but
instead that death was the “ultimate
end”.
 Major Beliefs
important commands and laws
 
1) Law of the Yin Yang-there must always be a balance
of yin and yang, existing in every part of life 
2) Law of Mutual Immanence-yin yang is mutually
immiscible
3) Law of Dynamics -existence itself is dynamic

  The Taoists basically wanted all of their people to

focus more on internal balance with nature instead of
the world and technology around them. Anyone that
did not follow the laws of the universe and life
depicted above were not only denying all that is right
but also causing personal disorder. This relates to how
Taoists believe that advancements in empires will
actually bring their downfall and also the fact that
simplicity is best.
 Major Beliefs
Purpose of Life

Taoists believed that if human nature was

aligned perfectly with the rest of nature, the
result would be both harmony and order.
When people deviate from the natural order,
they are only bringing destruction upon
themselves. The only way to encourage
natural behavior is by using a model leader.
A model emperor once said, “He who
governs his body, governs the country”
(Patheos.com). Basically you exist to
become one with nature.
 Influence on Architecture
Taoist architecture included various buildings in which
religious ceremonies were held, such as temples, palaces,
nunneries, and altars. It was very similar to Buddhist
architecture, as it could be divided into holy halls used
for sacrifice or houses to live in. Most of the temples are
wooden framed, and surrounded by man-made gardens.
The philosophy pursues the unity of humans and nature,
and Taoist architecture greatly reflects that.
Architecture
 Influence on Art
Taoist art was ornate and was influenced mainly by immortals. The
immortals the closest any person could be to nature, so average followers
wanted to become one with nature. An example of this art can be seen with
the Fanghu Isle of Immortals, which was on the previous slide. Because it is
assumed that Laozi was the founder of Daoism, most of the art created
emphasize him. The artists were mostly Taoist masters, adepts, or scholars.
The lotus was also a common Taoist symbol, because it was associated with
humans’ true nature, and it was believed humans grew out of mud.
 Art

Immortal Laozi Daoist Immortals Vase with Immortal

“When there is this
abstinence from
action, good order
is universal.”
THANK
YOU
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