Taoism is an ancient Chinese philosophical and religious tradition that emphasizes living in harmony with the Tao. The Tao refers to the underlying natural order of the universe. Taoist symbols reflect ideas about nature, harmony, and growth. Some of the most well-known Taoist symbols include the yin-yang symbol, the bagua, and the Taijitu.
Yin-Yang
The classic yin-yang symbol represents the dualities that exist in the universe. Yin is the feminine, dark, receptive force while yang is the masculine, light, active force. The symbol shows how seemingly opposite forces are interconnected and interdependent. In Taoism, the goal is to achieve perfect balance between yin and yang. The black and white halves symbolize how nothing is purely one thing or the other. There is always a little yin in yang and a little yang in yin. The small dots show that there is always a bit of one element contained in the other.
Bagua
The bagua is a Tibetan symbol that consists of eight trigrams used in Taoist cosmology. The trigrams represent the fundamental principles of reality and describe interactions between heaven, earth, and man. In the bagua symbol, the trigrams are arranged in an octagonal shape that mimics the patterns of nature. The bagua is commonly used in feng shui as it provides guidance on balance, harmony, and flow of energy. Each trigram corresponds to a compass direction, element, color, and aspect of life.
| Trigram | Direction | Element | Color | Aspect of Life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qian (Heaven) | Northwest | Metal | Silver | Creativity |
| Kun (Earth) | West | Earth | Yellow | Receptivity |
| Zhen (Thunder) | East | Wood | Green | Activity |
| Xun (Wind) | Southeast | Wind | White | Gentleness |
| Kan (Water) | North | Water | Black | Stillness |
| Li (Fire) | South | Fire | Red | Clarity |
| Gen (Mountain) | Northeast | Earth | Yellow | Stability |
| Dui (Lake) | Southwest | Metal | Silver | Joy |
Taijitu
The Taijitu symbol, also known as the yin-yang symbol or the Taiji diagram, represents the concept of yin and yang evolving from an underlying non-dual state. The symmetrical design shows how yin and yang arise from and complement each other. The small circles within each side symbolize that there is always an element of its opposite implicit within each side. The Taijitu conveys the idea that all apparent opposites are fluid and interchangeable aspects of the same underlying wholeness.
Five Elements
The five elements theory is an important component of traditional Chinese medicine and philosophy. The five elements – wood, fire, earth, metal, and water – are dynamic, interconnected forces that shape the world. Each element has associated symbols, colors, seasons, virtues, and more. The elements both complement and regulate each other. Wood fuels fire, fire forms earth, earth contains metal, metal collects water, and water nourishes wood. Keeping the elements in harmonious balance is integral to health in Taoist thought.
| Element | Season | Color | Virtue | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wood | Spring | Green | Kindness | East |
| Fire | Summer | Red | Propriety | South |
| Earth | Transition of seasons | Yellow | Integrity | Center |
| Metal | Autumn | White | Righteousness | West |
| Water | Winter | Black | Wisdom | North |
Eight Immortals
The Eight Immortals are a group of legendary Taoist deities, each connected with a tool or iconographic item. Images of the Eight Immortals are common in Taoist art, especially in sculptures and paintings. They represent humans who achieved immortality through spiritual cultivation and serve as role models for Taoist practitioners. Though they each have different personalities and capabilities, together they symbolize the diverse paths to enlightenment.
| Immortal | Item | Attributes |
|---|---|---|
| Lu Dongbin | Sword | Scholar, Swordsmanship |
| Li Tieguai | Gourd | Healing, Medicine |
| Lan Caihe | Flower Basket | Music, Enlightenment |
| Cao Guojiu | Castanets | Wealth, Prosperity |
| Han Xiangzi | Flute | Music, Nature |
| Zhang Guolao | Fish Drum | Alchemy, Longevity |
| He Xiangu | Lotus | Purity, Femininity |
| Zhongli Quan | Fan | Alchemy, Exorcism |
Three Pure Ones
The Three Pure Ones are primordial celestial deities in Taoist theology. They are regarded as the supreme manifestations of the Tao and the origin of all sentient beings. The Three Pure Ones govern key realms of the Taoist cosmos and maintain harmony in the universe. Each is associated with a color, direction, season, and aspect of existence.
| Pure One | Direction | Color | Season | Realm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jade Pure One | Center | White | All seasons | Spiritual source |
| Highest Pure One | West | Red | Summer | Creativity |
| Grand Pure One | North | Black | Winter | Receptivity |
Conclusion
Taoist symbols encapsulate the core concepts and teachings of Taoism. The most widely recognized symbols like the yin-yang and Taijitu illustrate the principle of harmonizing opposing forces. Other symbols like the bagua provide further guidance on achieving inner and outer balance. Images of important figures such as the Eight Immortals exemplify Taoist ideals. Studying the meanings behind these symbols offers insight into Taoist philosophy and its search for alignment with the underlying laws and essence of nature.