Taoism

Nüwa, also known as Nü Gua and Nü Kua, is an ancient and versatile deity primarily known for her creation of humans and repairing of the pillars of heaven. One connection between this primordial goddess and religion in China in general exists with the spelling of her name. When looking at other Chinese goddesses, there are many other instances where the deity’s name is prefixed with Nü. Exempli Gratia, Nü Ch’ou, Nü Pa (Drought Fury), Nü Chiao, [and] Nü-ying” are all examples, despite their…

The Ren of the Analects Confucius was a renowned teacher, editor, politician, and philosopher of the Spring and Autumn period of Chinese history. Living from 551 to 497 BC, Confucius’ philosophy emphasized on morality, correctness of social relationships, justice, as well as sincerity. He authored many Chinese classical texts such as that of the Five Classics. However, he was credited most for his work on “The Analects” (also known as the Analects of Confucius), a series of 20 books that present…

In Chinese philosophy, the concept of the Dao or The Way appears frequently. Even within a specific text, such as the Laozi, the idea of The Way wavers from chapter to chapter. Nevertheless, out of all the seemingly contradictory explanations, the meaning of the Dao arises. While Chapter 1 expresses the most accurate understanding of The Way through its’ description and syntax, other passages such as Chapter 4 and Chapter 25 support and expand the interpretation, respectively. For the Laozi to…

Proper Order in Confucianism and as educated fundamentally by Mencius, the Chinese scholar, which is the applied hypothesis that trains how individuals can achieve their most astounding capability of moral and material prosperity encapsulated in Mencius' origination of human nature. The hypothesis of proper order is the essential and philosophical route to that end. Proper order has had enduring and substantial consequences for present day East Asian governmental issues and its connection…

In Confucius’ The Essential Analects, the concept of respect is heavily preached toward the disciples and corrected or commented on by a Master of Confucianism. Confucius’ thought emphasizes the importance of ritual practice – along with the nourishment and comfort of our elders – even at the cost of one’s own expense. Confucianism is expressed as a way of life that embodies the respect for elders, also known as filial piety. Through filial piety, one develops an appreciation for those who have…

Confucianism and Daoism as Traditions Religion has been one of the deepest-rooted traditions in societies from all across the world. The continent of Asia is no different. One of the largest and most religiously diverse countries in Asia is China. Among the plethora of diverse religions are the contrasting faiths of Confucianism and Daoism. While China and all of Asia have many different religions, these cultures do not adopt the Western idea of sectarian religion where each religion is…

The Articulated Dragon is something that is a mystery to me regarding its depiction and why it was presented this way. I will be attempting to try and discover the mysteries regarding this dragon and figure out its sense of purpose for being created in this world. The Articulated Dragon is something that came to being through the Myochin School. The shape and looks of the Articulated Dragon is something that is comparable to the other asian dragons and also some western style dragons. The…

After the fall of the Han Dynasty, China was in a state of political fragmentation. Several centuries later, a new, short-lived dynasty called the Sui took power before it fell leading to the more successful Tang Dynasty. From the fall of the Han Dynasty, 200 CE, to the formalization of the Tang Dynasty, 900 CE, the acceptance of Buddhism varied greatly over time. The Han Dynasty was in favor of a Confucian government and society, while the Sui Dynasty fostered both Confucianism and Buddhism.…

The I Ching, which translates to the Book of Changes, is one of the few surviving books from the beginnings of Chinese history. It is believed to have been used as a divination tool nearly 3,000 years ago by shamans, and continues to be used today. The I Ching differs from fortune telling as the decision lies in us rather than a foretold fate completely independent of what we may or may not do. The oldest oracles confined themselves to the answers yes and no, and this is the foundation of the I…

In China's ancient culture, there were many schools of thought, but the most important two thoughts are Ru tradition from “The Analects” and Daoist School from “Tao Te Ching”, which were created by Confucius and Laozi. Confucius promotes a hierarchical and moral society based on propriety while Laozi promotes a classless and simple social life. Although they seem to be two contradictory propositions, they both claim to go back and rebuild the lost Golden Ages through the way. Confucius…