Practical Taoism
Taoism is a religion indigenous to China, founded by Zhang Daoling during the reign of Emperor Shun of the Han Dynasty, and it has a history of over 1,800 years. It worships multiple deities and pursues the goals of attaining immortality and aiding humanity. Not only does it hold an important position in traditional Chinese culture, but it also has significance for modern human life.
After studying how Taoism can bring positive impacts to modern life, we have summarized the following points:
Polytheistic Worship
Taoism, with its all-encompassing stance, embraces a rich and diverse polytheistic belief system. In addition to deities related to the cosmos and nature, there are many deities closely associated with social life, such as patron deities of various professions and heroic figures. People often worship specific deities according to their particular needs. Taoists believe that the human body is a microcosm, with various organs also being guarded by deities, and there are corresponding cultivation methods.
Industry Deities - Part 1
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Industry |
Title |
Reason for Worship |
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Maritime |
Tianhou, also known as Mazu in Fujian, Guangdong, and Taiwan |
Not only protects the safety of those engaged in maritime fishing but also fulfills the role of a fertility goddess. |
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Metal-related |
Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad |
As the founder of Taoism, Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad is credited with the invention of smelting techniques and is revered as the patron deity by industries related to furnaces and fire. In the metal industry, Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad is believed to bless smooth smelting and skill enhancement. |
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Commerce |
Fan Li |
Fan Li is considered the progenitor of commerce, and his business principles and wisdom are revered by merchants. His invention of the steelyard scale symbolizes fair trade. |
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Finance |
Zhao Gongming |
He leads the other four wealth deities and is the central figure among the Five Wealth Deities. In business, worshipping Zhao Gongming as the main wealth deity can bring stable wealth growth and business success. |
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Footwear |
Gui Guzi |
According to legend, Gui Guzi invented a special type of footwear to protect his disciples' feet from injury. Shoemakers honor him as the founder of the footwear industry; in some legends, he is believed to protect shoemakers from external harm, and thus they worship him for protection and good fortune. |
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Agriculture |
Shennong |
In ancient China, Shennong was widely worshipped as the deity who blesses crop growth and harvests. |
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Traditional Chinese Medicine |
Bian Que |
The Warring States period physician Bian Que established the "Four Diagnostic Methods" of observation, auscultation and olfaction, inquiry, and palpation. |
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Pharmacy |
Sun Simiao, Shennong |
Sun Simiao made significant contributions to pharmacology and health preservation. His works "Qianjin Yaofang" and "Qianjin Yifang" are important documents in ancient Chinese pharmacy. He emphasized medical ethics and proposed that doctors should treat patients with an equal and peaceful attitude. Shennong:Tasted hundreds of herbs, laying the foundation for the development of pharmacy. |
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Textile |
Huang Daopo |
Huang Daopo: A renowned cotton textile expert during the late Song and early Yuan dynasties. She was revered by the people for teaching advanced textile techniques and tools. In the Qing dynasty, she was honored as the founder of the cotton industry.
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Industry Deities - Part 2
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Industry |
Title |
Reason for Worship |
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Brewing |
Du Kang |
Du Kang is traditionally credited as the inventor of alcohol, and thus he is honored as the wine god. |
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Tea |
Lu Yu |
Lu Yu was a tea enthusiast and a master of tea ceremonies, known for writing the world's first book on tea, "The Classic of Tea," which has made outstanding contributions to the development of the tea industry in China and around the world. He is worshipped as the "Tea God." |
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Coal |
Kiln God |
Prayed to for the safe and smooth production of coal mines, to avoid accidents. |
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Carpentry and Masonry |
Lu Ban |
Lu Ban was a famous craftsman during the Spring and Autumn period, known as the most skilled artisan. He was later honored as the patron deity of the industry. Carpenters and masons would hold meetings, recruit apprentices, set industry rules, and determine prices in the ancestral hall. |
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Painting |
Wu Daozi |
Wu Daozi is one of the most renowned painters in ancient China, worshipped as the "Sage of Painting" and revered as the "Ancestor" by folk painters for over a thousand years. |
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Transportation |
Horse God, commonly known as Ma Wangye |
Worshipped to pray for prosperous business and safe transportation. |
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Cooking |
Kitchen God, commonly known as Zao Jun, Zao Wang,Zao Wangye |
The Eastern Kitchen God, who oversees human diet, prayed to for smooth cooking and prosperous business. |
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Students, Educational Supplies, Printing |
Divine Lord Wenchang |
Oversees literature, the imperial examination, and academic culture. He is regarded as the protector of academic progress and examination success. |
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Cultural Education |
Confucius |
The patron deity of academies and schools. |
Other Famous Deities
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Five Wealth Deities
In Taoism, the Five Roads Wealth Deities are known as Zhao Gongming, and their four subordinates. In addition to the Central Road being the God of Wealth Zhao Gongming, the other four roads are the Eastern Road God of Wealth, the Treasure-Attracting Heavenly Venerable Xiao Sheng, the Western Road God of Wealth, the Heavenly Venerable of Collecting Treasures Cao Bao, the Southern Road God of Wealth, the Wealth-Attracting Messenger Chen Jiugong, and the Northern Road God of Wealth, the Prosperity-Bringing Immortal Official Yao Shaosi.
There are also other versions in folklore. For example, the Five Wealth Gods are said to be Bi Gan of the East, Chai Wangye of the South, Guan Gong of the West, Zhao Gongming of the North, and Wang Hai of the Center. There is also a classification of the Five Wealth Gods based on their attributes: the Scholarly Wealth God is the Spring God Qingdi, the Martial Wealth God is Zhao Gongming, the Righteous Wealth God is Guan Yu, the Prosperous Wealth God is Shen Wansan, and the Side Wealth God is Su Fulu, among others.
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The Three Yuan Emperors
They are in charge of heaven, earth, and water respectively, and are closely related to the fortunes and misfortunes of the human world. People offer sacrifices to the Three Great Emperors of Officials to pray for the elimination of disasters and the lifting of misfortunes.
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Other Famous Deities - part 1
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Title |
Reason for Worship |
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Earth Deity |
The Earth Deity is a local protective deity in folk beliefs, managing a small area of land. Earth deity temples are ubiquitous, and people respectfully call him the "God of Fortune and Virtue," believing that the Earth Deity can bless the locality with peace. The Earth Deity is one of the most widely worshipped deities in Chinese traditional culture. In modern times, worshipping the Earth Deity is often associated with blessings, wealth, peace, and agricultural harvest. |
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Door Gods |
Door Gods originated from ancient door god beliefs, with the earliest door gods being Shentu and Yulei. Appearance: Typically depicted as a pair of mighty warriors, armed and armored, with fierce expressions. Duties: Their main duty is to guard the door, ward off evil spirits, and protect the home's safety. |
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Erlang God |
Usually depicted as a handsome figure, dressed in yellow, accompanied by a hunting dog, holding a trident, and with a third divine eye on his forehead. Erlang God is revered as a war god and protector, capable of warding off evil and disasters, and ensuring safety. |
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Great White Planet：Taibai |
Taibai, the planet Venus, is the deified form of the morning star. In folk beliefs, Great White Planet is considered to possess profound wisdom and strategy, capable of avoid disasters. |
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Zhong Kui |
Typically depicted as a mighty warrior, dressed in official robes, holding a sword, with a fierce expression, sometimes wearing a broken hat, and extremely ugly. He is both a door god and a deity of the underworld, regarded as a great ghost-catcher, capable of driving away evil spirits, protecting the home's safety, bestowing blessings, and warding off disasters. |
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Yue Lao |
The deity in charge of marriage, overseeing the matchmaking of mortals, tying couples together with a red thread. In folk beliefs, Yue Lao is revered as the guardian of marriage, and many couples pray to him for a happy marriage. |
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Pagoda-carrying Heavenly King |
Typically depicted as a mighty heavenly god, dressed in armor, holding a pagoda, with a sword or bow and arrows at his waist. He is revered as the guardian of heaven, responsible for maintaining the peace of heaven and earth, possessing great magical powers and divine abilities. |
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Nezha |
Depicted as a young child with a pink complexion, white teeth, and sometimes a sacred lotus background. He possesses supernatural powers such as three heads and six arms, and owns magical treasures like the Golden Hoop and the Mixed Heaven Silk. He has the function of subduing demons and protecting safety. His image is widely spread in folk beliefs, becoming a symbol of bravery and justice. |
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Shancai Child |
Typically depicted as an innocent child, dressed in celestial robes, adorned with various decorations, bare-chested, standing barefoot, with a topknot. Shancai Child symbolizes kindness and innocence, representing the pursuit of truth and the persistence of meditation. In folk beliefs, Shancai Child is believed to help people gain wisdom and wealth. |
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Other Famous Deities - part 2
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Title |
Reason for Worship |
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Leigong and Dianmu |
Deities in charge of thunder and lightning. In agricultural society, thunder and lightning are closely related to crop growth, so people worship Leigong and Dianmu to pray for sufficient rainfall and a bountiful harvest. |
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The Southernmost Longevity Emperor |
Considered a symbol of longevity. People worship the Southernmost Longevity Emperor to seek health and longevity. |
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The Jade Emperor |
The Jade Emperor is a highly revered deity in Taoism, overseeing all deities of the three realms and the ten directions, as well as all living beings in the four births and six paths. In Han Chinese folk beliefs, the influence of the Jade Emperor is immense. People believe that worshipping the Jade Emperor can bring good fortune and luck. |
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Wang Lingguan |
Wang Lingguan is the first guardian deity in Taoism, with the function of driving away evil spirits and protecting believers. People believe that worshipping Wang Lingguan can receive his protection and be free from the disturbance of evil spirits. |
Eight Immortals Culture
Eight Immortals: The Eight Immortals are a famous group of deities in Taoism.They all come from the human world, have rich stories from their mortal lives, and only attained enlightenment later. Their images are starkly different from the sacred and solemn images of ordinary deities, thus they are deeply loved by the people. The images of the Eight Immortals often appear in New Year paintings, embroidery, porcelain, lanterns, and operas.
- Lu Dongbin: Represents wisdom and Taoist cultivation. Lu Dongbin is the most famous among the Eight Immortals, known for his wisdom and swordsmanship, representing the cultivator pursuing spiritual sublimation. His long sword can ward off evil and demons.
- Tie Guaili: Symbolizes strength and indomitable spirit. His image is that of a lame beggar, but he possesses extraordinary abilities, representing the spiritual sublimation even in adversity. Tie Guai Li's gourd is said to be able to save all living beings.
- He Xiangu: Symbolizes the independence and purity of women. He Xiangu is the only female among the Eight Immortals, embodying the virtues of female independence and purity. Her lotus can cultivate the body and mind.
- Cao Guojiu: Represents nobility and moral cultivation. Cao Guojiu was originally a royal relative, emphasizing that even with a noble birth, one can pursue a higher spiritual realm. His jade clappers can purify the environment.
- Zhang Guolao: Symbolizes longevity and wisdom. Zhang Guolao is depicted as an old man riding a donkey backward, emphasizing the value of longevity and wisdom. His fishing drum can divine the future.
- Lan Caihe: Represents the talent of youth and music. Lan Caihe is a young man holding a flower basket, symbolizing the vitality of youth and life. His flower basket can communicate with the divine.
- Han Xiangzi: Symbolizes literary and artistic achievements. Han Xiangzi is depicted as a literati skilled in playing the flute, embodying the value of culture and art. His flute can make all things grow.
- Han Zhongli: Represents a free-spirited and straightforward personality. His image is usually that of a generous rich man, with a fierce temperament. His banana leaf fan can bring the dead back to life.
Eight Treasures:
- Lu Dongbin: Sword (Purified Yang Sword). The sword symbolizes the power to ward off evil and demons, capable of slaying monsters and protecting justice.
- Tie Guai Li: Gourd. The gourd is considered a magical container in Taoism, capable of holding everything, symbolizing the salvation of all beings and immortality.
- He Xiangu: Lotus. The lotus flowers represent purity and self-cultivation, symbolizing the noble quality of being untainted by worldly distractions.
- Cao Guojiu: Yin-Yang Clappers (Jade Clappers or Tablet). The yin-yang clappers can purify the environment, allowing the mind to be peaceful and free from external disturbances, symbolizing a clear and divine mind.
- Zhang Guolao: Fish Drum The fish drum is a divination instrument, capable of knowing the past and future, divining life, and implying the understanding of fate and adapting to heavenly will.
- Lan Caihe: Flower Basket. The flower basket is filled with divine items, capable of communicating with the divine, symbolizing the divine blessings and great powers.
- Han Xiangzi: Flute (Xiao). The flute symbolizes vitality, capable of making all things come to life.
- Han Zhongli: Fan (Round Fan). The fan represents the ability to bring the dead back to life, symbolizing longevity and rebirth from adversity.
Health Cultivation Techniques
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Qigong
Taoist cultivation emphasizes health preservation, with health qigong and alchemy being two very important aspects. In the field of qigong, Tai Chi, Wu Qin Xi, and Ba Duan Jin were created, emphasizing softness and adaptability, and have gradually become daily fitness activities for people. Through qigong cultivation, the goals of longevity and physical fitness can be achieved. Taoist priests incorporate medical knowledge as part of their cultivation, so the contributions of Taoism to traditional Chinese medicine are comprehensive and profound. Taoist priests use various Chinese medicinal materials to refine elixirs for treating diseases and preserving health, and some of these effective components and formulations are still used in modern clinical applications.
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Qigong |
History |
Effects |
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Tai Chi |
Zhang Sanfeng, a Taoist during the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties, practiced in Wudang Mountain, Hubei. It is said that during his practice in Wudang Mountain, Zhang Sanfeng combined Taoist theories with martial arts practices to create the basic theories and moves of Tai Chi. Tai Chi later developed into an internal and external cultivation martial art, which has been passed down to the present day. |
Tai Chi is a martial art that emphasizes internal cultivation, with the effects of strengthening the body and prolonging life. Through slow and gentle movements, it can improve the body's coordination and balance, enhance immunity, lower blood pressure, and improve cardiovascular function.
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Qigong |
History |
Effects |
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Wu Qin Xi |
Wu Qin Xi was created by the famous physician Huatuo at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, based on the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, imitating the movements of five animals: tiger, deer, bear, ape, and bird. Huatuo, based on the previous guiding techniques, combined the classic theories of human viscera, meridians, and qi and blood in traditional Chinese medicine, summarized and organized them. |
Wu Qin Xi has the effects of strengthening the body and prolonging life. By imitating the movements of animals, it can regulate the circulation of qi and blood in the human body, enhance physical fitness, prevent diseases, and improve the body's flexibility and coordination. |
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Qigong |
History |
Effects |
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Ba Duan Jin |
The history of Ba Duan Jin can be traced back to the Han Dynasty, with the earliest written records appearing in the "Biographies of Immortals" during the Eastern Jin Dynasty. During the Song Dynasty, Ba Duan Jin was further developed and perfected. Ba Duan Jin is a simple and easy-to-learn fitness method that can regulate the functions of internal organs and enhance physical quality. |
It improves physical fitness and prevents diseases through stretching the body, moving joints, and massaging acupoints.
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Alchemy
Alchemy culture is one of the precious heritages of the Chinese nation and a part of the ancient Eastern culture. After long-term practice by generations of Taoist and medical practitioners, a rich experience has been accumulated, forming a systematic theory.
Alchemy originally involved the use of minerals such as silver, lead, sand, and mercury, refined with the fire of a cauldron to create gold (the ancestor of modern chemistry). Later, it evolved into the refining of elixirs for the pursuit of immortality. Since the Han and Wei dynasties, the refining of gold has been the main content of external alchemy, promoting the development of alloy chemical technology.
External alchemy declined due to the toxicity of the elixirs, while internal alchemy emphasized the refinement of essence, qi, and spirit, running them through the body with intention, becoming the mainstream cultivation method. The practice of internal alchemy and the doctrine of soul immortality gradually became the mainstream in Taoism. The internal alchemy techniques of Taoism include: contemplation, breath control, guiding and leading, focusing on one, and fetal breathing. Internal alchemy believes that guiding and accumulating qi can treat diseases, or that cultivating qi and guarding oneself can extend life. The ultimate goal is "refining emptiness and merging with the Tao," achieving the state of unity between heaven and humanity.
Many famous traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions, such as Qi Xing Dan, Zi Jin Dan, and Hong Sheng Dan, were developed based on Taoist alchemy methods and are still widely used in modern traditional Chinese medicine. These elixirs are used in clinical practice to treat various diseases, reflecting the inheritance and development of Taoist alchemy culture.
In the practice of internal alchemy within Taoism, the cultivation of inner elixir begins with being a good person and starts with the cultivation of one's character and moral virtues. It is not merely for the purpose of extending life, gaining supernatural powers, or pursuing immortality. When the mind is clear, it is untarnished and wise; when the mind is empty, it is ethereal and free of distractions; when the mind is still, it is undisturbed and perceptive; when the mind is settled, external disturbances vanish and inner peace prevails. In this state of primal chaos, where there is no object, no desire, no thought, no self, no other, no heaven, and no earth, there is a natural and continuous transformation, a ceaseless cycle of life and renewal.
Taoist magical instruments
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Talismans and Talismanic Practices
Taoist talisman culture originated from the early human worship of natural divine power and was inspired by ancient insect writing and seal script, imitating natural objects such as clouds and animals, and using special symbols and textual methods to record on certain specific items and materials, gradually forming a large and complex system of talisman figures and texts.
Taoist talismans usually consist of yellow paper, cinnabar, talismanic writing, and a magical seal. Yellow paper symbolizes the earth, cinnabar is used for drawing talismans, talismanic writing is the main content of the talisman, and the magical seal is the certification mark of the talisman. The content of the divine talisman generally includes the names, appearances, and spells of deities. The talisman is a carrier of intention and essence, a channel of communication between humans and deities. In Taoism, it is said: "Drawing talismans without knowing the knack, only makes ghosts and deities laugh; drawing talismans if knowing the knack, makes ghosts and deities cry out in alarm." Talismans are extremely important and mysterious to Taoist priests, as they are the passwords for communicating with heavenly deities.
Taoist talisman culture is an important religious practice in Taoism. Talismans are the secret treasures for communication between humans and deities and are widely used, including warding off evil and disasters, healing the sick, praying for blessings and averting disasters, and protecting the home.
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Other magical instruments
- Peachwood Sword: The peachwood sword is known for its functions of protecting the home, bringing good fortune, warding off evil, and attracting wealth. It is one of the most popular and well - known ritual instruments.
- Three Pure Ones Bell: The Three Pure Ones Bell is an important ritual instrument used by Taoist priests during ceremonies. When the bell is rung, it commands respect from deities and spirits, and is used for dispelling evil and summoning divine beings.
- Tian Peng Ruler: Also known as a ritual ruler, the Tian Peng Ruler is used for warding off evil, exorcising demons, and guiding spirits. It is a Taoist ritual instrument that typically features inscribed talismans on its four sides and has a square - shaped, four - edged, short wooden handle.
- Taoist Talisman Token: The talisman token is one of the significant ritual instruments in Taoism. It is used for invoking natural elements and commanding divine forces. When held by a Taoist priest, it is believed to repel all malevolent entities.
- Altar - Taming Wood: The altar - taming wood is used to subdue ghosts and evil spirits, and is a commonly used ritual instrument in Taoist ceremonies.
