Taoism Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.Anti-spam check. Do not fill this in! ==Symbols and images== [[file:文光塔-二层藻井.JPG|thumb|A [[caisson (Asian architecture)|''spider web ceiling'']] depicting a ''[[taijitu]]'' surrounded by the ''[[Bagua]]'']] [[file:2016 Kuala Lumpur, Świątynia taoistyczna Guan Di (15).jpg|thumb|[[Chinese dragon]] at Guan Di Taoist Temple, [[Kuala Lumpur]], [[Malaysia]].]] [[file:Daoist Priest's Robe (China), 19th century (CH 18464275).jpg|thumb|Chinese Taoist Priest's Robe, 19th century. Aside from Taoist symbols like the dragon, it also adopts the [[Ashtamangala|eight auspicious symbols]] from Buddhism.]] The ''[[taijitu]]'', commonly known as the "yin and yang symbol" or simply the "yin-yang", and the ''[[bagua]]'' are important symbols in Taoism because they represent key elements of Taoist cosmology (see above).<ref>{{harvp|Little|Eichman|2000| p=131–139}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Feuchtwang|first1=Stephan|title=Religions in the Modern World|date=2016|publisher=Routhledge|location=New York|page=150|edition=Third}}</ref> Many Taoist (as well as non-Taoist) organizations make use of these symbols, and they may appear on flags and logos, temple floors, or stitched into clerical robes. What has become the standardised yin-yang taijitu originated as a Taoist symbol in the 10th century CE during the early [[Song dynasty]].<ref name="Little 2000, p. 131"> {{cite book |last1 = Little |first1 = Stephen |editor-last1 = Ebrey |editor-first1 = Patricia Buckley |editor-link1 = Patricia Buckley Ebrey |date = 1 January 2000 |chapter = The Formation of the Taoist Tradition |title = Taoism and the Arts of China |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=5ame4Rl1RXMC |location = Berkeley |publisher = University of California Press |page = 131 |isbn = 978-0-520-22785-9 |access-date = 26 February 2024 |quote = The taiji diagram (taiji tu) first appeared in a Taoist context at the beginning of the Song dynasty (960-1279). Several Song sources state that it originated with the Taoist Chen Tuan (c. 906-989), although Isabelle Robinet has shown that an antecedent for the diagram appeared in the work of the Tang dynasty Buddhist monk Zongmi (780-841). [...] Prior to this, ''yin'' and ''yang'' were symbolized by the tiger and dragon, and this symbolism has continued through the history of later Taoism. }} </ref> The tiger and [[Chinese dragon|dragon]] are more ancient symbols for yin and yang respectively, and these two animals are still widely used in Taoist art.<ref name="Little 2000, p. 131" /> Taoist temples in southern China and Taiwan may often be identified by their roofs, which feature [[Chinese dragon|dragons]], tigers, and [[fenghuang|phoenixes]] (with the phoenix also standing for yin) made from multicolored ceramic tiles. In general though, Chinese Taoist architecture lacks universal features that distinguish it from other structures.{{sfnp|Little|Eichman|2000|p=74}} Taoist temples may fly square or triangular flags. They typically feature mystical writing, talismans, or diagrams and are intended to fulfill various functions including providing guidance for the spirits of the dead, bringing good fortune, increasing life span, etc.<ref>{{harvp|Kohn|2004|p=116}}</ref> Other flags and banners may be those of the gods or immortals themselves.<ref>{{harvp|Kohn|2004|p=119}}</ref> Drawings of the [[Big Dipper]] (also called the Bushel) are also important symbols.<ref name="Patheos-2023">{{Cite web |title=Taoism Ritual, Worship, Devotion, Symbolism, Taoism Symbolism |url=https://www.patheos.com/library/taoism/ritual-worship-devotion-symbolism/symbolism |access-date=2023-02-20 |website=www.patheos.com |language=en |archive-date=20 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220141024/https://www.patheos.com/library/taoism/ritual-worship-devotion-symbolism/symbolism |url-status=live }}</ref> In the [[Shang Dynasty]] of the 2nd millennium BCE, Chinese thought regarded the Big Dipper as a deity, while, in later periods, it came to symbolize [[Taijitu|Taiji]].{{sfnp|Little|Eichman|2000|p=128}}<ref name="Patheos-2023" /> A related symbol is the flaming pearl, which stands for the [[pole star]] and may be seen on such roofs between two dragons as well as on the hairpin of a [[List of Celestial Masters|Celestial Master]].{{sfnp|Schipper|1993|p=21}}<ref name="Patheos-2023" /> Some Taoists saw the stars as "knots in the 'net of Heaven'" that connected everything in "heaven and earth".<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Carlson |first1=Kathie |title=The Book of Symbols: Reflections on Archetypal Images |last2=Flanagin |first2=Michael N. |last3=Martin |first3=Kathleen |last4=Martin |first4=Mary E. |last5=Mendelsohn |first5=John |last6=Rodgers |first6=Priscilla Young |last7=Ronnberg |first7=Ami |last8=Salman |first8=Sherry |last9=Wesley |first9=Deborah A. |publisher=[[Taschen]] |year=2010 |isbn=978-3-8365-1448-4 |editor-last=Arm |editor-first=Karen |location=Köln |page=518 |editor-last2=Ueda |editor-first2=Kako |editor-last3=Thulin |editor-first3=Anne |editor-last4=Langerak |editor-first4=Allison |editor-last5=Kiley |editor-first5=Timothy Gus |editor-last6=Wolff |editor-first6=Mary}}</ref> Many Taoists saw the Tao as "the [metaphorical] pearl of the sage" and a "conjunction between yin...[and] yang."<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Carlson |first1=Kathie |title=The Book of Symbols: Reflections on Archetypal Images |last2=Flanagin |first2=Michael N. |last3=Martin |first3=Kathleen |last4=Martin |first4=Mary E. |last5=Mendelsohn |first5=John |last6=Rodgers |first6=Priscilla Young |last7=Ronnberg |first7=Ami |last8=Salman |first8=Sherry |last9=Wesley |first9=Deborah A. |publisher=[[Taschen]] |year=2010 |isbn=978-3-8365-1448-4 |editor-last=Arm |editor-first=Karen |location=Köln |pages=784–785 |editor-last2=Ueda |editor-first2=Kako |editor-last3=Thulin |editor-first3=Anne |editor-last4=Langerak |editor-first4=Allison |editor-last5=Kiley |editor-first5=Timothy Gus |editor-last6=Wolff |editor-first6=Mary}}</ref> Taoists also revered pearls more generally, seeing [[Chinese dragon|''lung'' dragon]] celestials as emerging from the glint of light off of a pearl that existed "in the mists of chaos" and trapped in an endless cycle where they continually retrieve the pearl that makes them out of the mists.<ref name="Carlson-2010">{{Cite book |last1=Carlson |first1=Kathie |title=The Book of Symbols: Reflections on Archetypal Images |last2=Flanagin |first2=Michael N. |last3=Martin |first3=Kathleen |last4=Martin |first4=Mary E. |last5=Mendelsohn |first5=John |last6=Rodgers |first6=Priscilla Young |last7=Ronnberg |first7=Ami |last8=Salman |first8=Sherry |last9=Wesley |first9=Deborah A. |publisher=[[Taschen]] |year=2010 |isbn=978-3-8365-1448-4 |editor-last=Arm |editor-first=Karen |location=Köln |page=784 |editor-last2=Ueda |editor-first2=Kako |editor-last3=Thulin |editor-first3=Anne |editor-last4=Langerak |editor-first4=Allison |editor-last5=Kiley |editor-first5=Timothy Gus |editor-last6=Wolff |editor-first6=Mary}}</ref> Some Internal Alchemy Taoists worshipped mercury as "divine water" and an embodiment of consciousness that was a "flowing pearl".<ref name="Carlson-2010" /> In the later [[Qing dynasty]], Taoists and intellectuals who leaned towards Taoism used the ''wuxing'' as symbols of leadership and good governance, using old [[religious text]]s and various historiographies made in prior dynasties to assign a phase from the five ''wuxing'' to different Chinese dynasties.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Li |first=Dun J. |title=The Ageless Chinese: A History |publisher=[[Charles Scribner's Sons]] |year=1965 |location=New York |pages=333–334}}</ref> Symbols that represent longevity and immortality are particularly popular, and these include: [[Crane in Chinese mythology|cranes]], pine trees, and the [[peaches of immortality]] (associated with the [[Queen Mother of the West]]).<ref name="Patheos-2023" /> Natural symbols are also common, and include gourds, caves, clouds, mountains, and the animals of the Chinese zodiac.<ref name="Patheos-2023" /> Other symbols used by Taoists include: the [[Yellow River Map]], the [[Luoshu Square]], I Ching coins, Taoist talismans ([[fulu]]), the [[Four Symbols|Four Symbols (mythical creatures)]], and various Chinese characters (such as the character for Tao and the ''[[Shou (character)|shou]]'' ('longevity') character). Taoist priests also wear distinctive robes, such as the [[Daojiao fushi]] and Taoist versions of the [[Daopao]], which symbolize their status and school affiliation. Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. If you do not want your writing to be edited mercilessly, then do not submit it here. You are also promising us that you wrote this yourself, or copied it from a public domain or similar free resource (see Christianpedia:Copyrights for details). Do not submit copyrighted work without permission! Cancel Editing help (opens in new window) Discuss this page