Taoism
Big idea
Taoism teaches that everything in the universe follows a natural flow called the Tao, which guides life and keeps it in balance. Life is full of opposite but connected forces, like light and dark or rest and activity, and harmony comes from balancing them.
Taoists believe people should follow this natural order, acting calmly and wisely without forcing things.
Key words
Ethics - a theory of how to live a good life.
Moral behaviour - the good ways we ought to act.
Pantheon of gods - a collection of gods.
Qi - the life-giving energy that is directed by the Tao.
Qigong - a system of movement and breathing that helps to create balance.
Tao - the force that directs all life in the universe.
Three Pure Ones - the highest gods in the Taoist pantheon.
Wu wei - acting in accordance with the Tao.
Yin and yang - opposite but interconnected forces.
Key facts
Founder
Taoism was founded by Laozi, whose name means “Old Master,” and is thought to have lived in China around the 6th century BCE, although some historians believe he may have lived later, around the 4th century BCE. Very little is known about his life, and many stories about him are a mix of history and legend. He is said to have been a librarian or keeper of records in the royal court, where he studied ancient texts and learned about the natural order of the world.
Laozi became famous for teaching people how to live simply, peacefully, and in harmony with nature, and his ideas were collected in the Tao Te Ching, which remains one of the most important works in Chinese philosophy.
Legends say he eventually left China to live a quiet life in the mountains, and some stories even claim he rode off on an ox, never to return.
Place of Origin
Taoism originated in ancient China, particularly in the central and eastern regions along the Yellow River and the Yangtze River valleys, around the 6th century BCE. These areas were early centers of Chinese civilization, with fertile land, mountains, and rivers that inspired people to observe nature closely. The landscape of mountains, forests, rivers, and caves influenced Taoist ideas about living in harmony with the natural world.
Over time, Taoism spread across China, reaching rural villages, towns, and cities, and its teachings were adapted by different regions, blending with local customs and traditions.
Sacred Texts
The Tao Te Ching, written by Laozi, is the main text. It teaches the importance of simplicity, humility, and living in harmony with the natural flow of life.
Number of Followers
Around 12 million people formally identify as Taoists today. Taoism also continues to inspire and guide many more people through its ideas about living in harmony with nature.
Key story
The knot in the string
Once, Laozi wanted to teach people how to live with patience and calmness. He held up a tangled piece of string and said, “If you try to pull this knot apart roughly, it will only get tighter.”
He showed them what to do instead. Working slowly and gently, carefully loosening the string, the knot eventually came undone.
The lesson of the story
Laozi explained that life is like this knot: if you try to force things or rush, problems only get worse. But if you approach situations patiently and calmly, solutions will come naturally.
The key messages are:
Life works best when you go with the flow instead of forcing it.
Patience and calmness help solve problems more easily.
Trying to control everything can make situations more difficult, but gentle effort leads to balance and harmony.
The divine
The Tao
At the heart of Taoism is the Tao (The Way), an unseen force that unites everything and guides the natural order, much like a river directing its flow.
Taoism also features a pantheon of gods and spirits, with the Three Pure Ones as the highest deities:
Jade Pure One – creator of the universe, representing the pure essence of the Tao.
Supreme Pure One – teacher and protector who spreads Taoist teachings.
Grand Pure One – linked to Laozi, representing moral and ethical aspects of the Tao.
These Three Pure Ones are thought of as the ultimate teachers and protectors in Taoism, helping to create, guide, and maintain the balance of the universe according to the Tao. Taoists honour and worship them in temples, asking for their guidance and blessings to live a harmonious and balanced life.
Many other gods and spirits exist, often adapted from older Chinese folk religions, helping followers live in harmony with the universe.
Yin and yang
Another important concept is yin and yang, which represents the two sides (duality) of existence. Yin and yang are opposite forces that are interconnected and interdependent, such as light and dark, hot and cold, or male and female. The balance of these forces is essential for harmony in the universe and in one’s life.
We can read this in the Tao Te Ching:
Under heaven all can see beauty as beauty only because there is ugliness. All can know good as good only because there is evil.
In life, we see yin and yang everywhere. For example, in nature, there are dark nights (yin) and sunny days (yang). In our bodies, we have times when we rest and sleep (yin), and times when we are active and busy (yang).
The idea is that for everything to be balanced and harmonious, we need both yin and yang to work together. When there’s too much yang, like when we’re too busy and stressed, we might feel overwhelmed. When there’s too much yin, like when we rest too much and don’t do anything, we might feel lazy and unmotivated.
By understanding yin and yang, we can try to keep a healthy balance in our lives, making sure we have both activity and rest, excitement and calmness, to feel our best.
Afterlife
The Taoist view of the afterlife is not fixed like in some other religions. Taoists believe that the soul is immortal and continues to exist in different forms after death. For some, the ultimate goal is to achieve immortality in the afterlife. For others, living a spiritually fulfilled life here and now is more important. Both goals are reached by living morally and following the Tao, the natural flow of life.
Living the faith
Wu wei
One of the central teachings of Taoism is wu wei, which means “non-action” or “effortless action.” This does not mean doing nothing. Instead, it means acting in harmony with the Tao, the natural flow of life, without forcing or struggling against it. By following the Tao, a person can achieve harmony and balance in their life.
In the Tao Te Ching, Laozi wrote:
"Through wu wei, everything can be done."
Taoists believe that by understanding and following the Tao through wu wei, moral behaviour arises naturally. Unlike systems that rely on strict rules, Taoism teaches that ethics come from living a simple and humble life: embracing simplicity, avoiding excess, and being content with what one has. Showing compassion and kindness toward others is also important, helping people act with empathy in their daily interactions.
Respect for the Natural World
Respect for the natural world is another key part of Taoist ethics. Humans are part of a larger, interconnected system, and living in harmony with nature is essential for a balanced life. This respect extends to all forms of life, encouraging sustainable and careful use of the environment. Taoism also values non-violence and gentleness, teaching that conflicts should be resolved peacefully. By following the Tao, individuals naturally develop virtues such as patience, humility, and compassion, which help them live harmoniously both personally and within their communities.
Worship & rituals
Qigong
Taoist worship focuses on connecting with the Tao and honoring the gods that help maintain balance and harmony. One important practice in Taoism is Qigong, which combines gentle movements, breathing exercises, and meditation to develop and balance qi, the vital energy that flows through everything in the universe.
Gentle movements – Qigong uses slow, flowing movements that are easy to perform. These help open the body’s energy pathways, allowing qi to flow freely. For example, moving your arms in slow circles or gently shifting your weight from one foot to the other.
Breathing exercises – Deep, mindful breathing is another key part of Qigong. Focusing on slow, deep breaths calms the mind and increases the flow of qi, helping you feel relaxed and energised.
Meditation – Qigong also includes meditation, where you sit quietly and focus your mind. This clears away stress and negative thoughts, helping you connect more deeply with the Tao. Think of it as taking a peaceful moment to simply be still and listen to yourself.
The goal of Qigong is to balance your qi, making you feel healthier, happier, and more in tune with the world. When qi flows smoothly, it’s like a river moving without blockages—calm, steady, and full of energy.
Influence on society
Taoism has had a huge influence on Chinese culture and society, shaping many areas of life, including medicine, martial arts, philosophy, art, and literature.
Chinese medicine
Taoist ideas of balance and harmony are the foundation of traditional Chinese medicine. Practices like acupuncture and herbal medicine aim to keep the body in balance and allow the smooth flow of qi (life energy). Acupuncture uses fine needles at specific points to restore balance and relieve pain, while herbal medicine uses natural ingredients to promote health and treat illness.
Martial arts
Martial arts such as Tai Chi and Kung Fu also draw on Taoist principles. Tai
uses slow, gentle movements that reflect the Taoist idea of wu wei, focusing on energy flow and inner balance. Kung Fu, with its strong and dynamic moves, also follows Taoist ideas of natural movement and harmony between body and mind. Both aim to improve physical and mental well-being, helping practitioners align with the Tao.
Art & literature
Taoism has influenced Chinese art and literature as well, encouraging a love of nature and the virtues of simplicity and spontaneity. Taoist themes appear in poetry, where poets like Li Bai and Wang Wei celebrate natural landscapes and express a deep connection with the environment. Chinese landscape painting reflects Taoist aesthetics too, showing the harmony and tranquility of the natural world through flowing, spontaneous brushwork.
The 8th-century Taoist poet Lu Tung Pin captured the essence of the Tao in a simple verse:
"What is Tao? It is just this. It cannot be rendered into speech. If you insist on an explanation, This means exactly this."
Through its influence on medicine, martial arts, poetry, and painting, Taoism continues to shape and inspire Chinese culture, teaching the importance of balance, harmony, and living in tune with the natural world.