"being hung round the neck, or because necks are concave things. Liu An's (c. 139 BCE) ""Huainanzi"" ""Masters of Huainan"", which is a compendium of writings from various schools of Chinese philosophy, was the first text to record ""fangzhu"" dew-collectors. Two ""Huainanzi"" chapters metaphorically use ""sun and moon mirrors"" to exemplify ""yang"" and ""yin"" categories and elucidate the Chinese notion of ""ganying"" ""cosmic resonance"" through which categorically identical things mutually resonate and influence each other. The ""yángsuì"" 陽燧 ""burning-mirror"" is ""yang"", round, and sun-like; the ""fāngzhū"" 方諸 ""square receptacle"" is ""yin"", square, and moon-like. The first context describes ""yangsui"" and"
"for complex depictions of interrelations. The principle of yin and yang is represented in Taoism by the Taijitu (literally ""Diagram of the Supreme Ultimate""). The term is commonly used to mean the simple ""divided circle"" form, but may refer to any of several schematic diagrams representing these principles, such as the swastika, common to Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Similar symbols have also appeared in other cultures, such as in Celtic art and Roman shield markings. Taijiquan (Chinese: 太极拳), a form of martial art, is often described as the principles of yin and yang applied to the human body and an"
"the ""yin and yang symbol"", itself popularly called ""taijitu"", represents the second of these five parts of the diagram. The term ""taijitu"" in modern Chinese is commonly used to mean the simple ""divided circle"" form (), but it may refer to any of several schematic diagrams that contain at least one circle with an inner pattern of symmetry representing yin and yang. While the concept of yin and yang dates to Chinese antiquity, the interest in ""diagrams"" (圖 ""tú"") is an intellectual fashion of Neo-Confucianism during the Song period (11th century), and it declined again in the Ming period, by"
"Bagua The Bagua or Pa Kua are eight symbols used in Taoist cosmology to represent the fundamental principles of reality, seen as a range of eight interrelated concepts. Each consists of three lines, each line either ""broken"" or ""unbroken"", respectively representing yin or yang. Due to their tripartite structure, they are often referred to as Eight Trigrams in English. The trigrams are related to Taiji philosophy, Taijiquan and the Wu Xing, or ""five elements"". The relationships between the trigrams are represented in two arrangements, the ""Primordial"" (), ""Earlier Heaven"" or ""Fu Xi"" bagua (), and the ""Manifested"" (), ""Later Heaven,"""
"It asserts that those in harmony with Tao will live long and fruitful lives. The wicked, and their descendants, will suffer and have shortened lives. Lowe's summary of a Taoist worldview highlights points such as: The ""taijitu"" (; commonly known as the ""yin and yang symbol"" or simply the ""yin yang"") and the ""bagua"" 八卦 (""Eight Trigrams"") have importance in Taoist symbolism. In this cosmology, the universe creates itself out of a primary chaos of material energy, organized into the cycles of Yin and Yang and formed into objects and lives. Yin is the receptive and Yang is the active"
"principle, seen in all forms change and difference such as the annual season cycles, the landscape, sexual coupling, the formation of both men and women as characters, and sociopolitical history. While almost all Taoist organizations make use of it, one could also regard it as Confucian, Neo-Confucian or pan-Chinese. One can see this symbol as a decorative element on Taoist organization flags and logos, temple floors, or stitched into clerical robes. According to Song dynasty sources, it originated around the 10th century CE. Previously, a tiger and a dragon had symbolized yin and yang. Taoist temples may fly square or"
"and Baynes 1967:318-9) This sequence of powers of two includes Taiji → Yin and Yang (two polarities) → ""Sixiang"" (Four Symbols) → Bagua (eight trigrams). Richard Wilhelm and Cary F. Baynes explain. The fundamental postulate is the ""great primal beginning"" of all that exists, ""t'ai chi"" – in its original meaning, the ""ridgepole"". Later Indian philosophers devoted much thought to this idea of a primal beginning. A still earlier beginning, ""wu chi"", was represented by the symbol of a circle. Under this conception, ""t'ai chi"" was represented by the circle divided into the light and the dark, yang and yin,"
"single ultimate, represented by the ""taijitu"" symbol . Tàijíquán theory and practice evolved in agreement with many Chinese philosophical principles, including those of Taoism and Confucianism. Tàijíquán training involves five elements, ""taolu"" (solo hand and weapons routines/forms), ""neigong"" and ""qigong"" (breathing, movement and awareness exercises and meditation), ""tuishou"" (response drills) and ""sanshou"" (self defence techniques). While tàijíquán is typified by some for its slow movements, many styles (including the three most popular: Yang, Wu and Chen) have secondary forms with faster pace. Some traditional schools teach partner exercises known as ""tuishou"" (""pushing hands""), and martial applications of the postures of"
"actual security lock, embodying the parents' wish for its wearer to be ""locked"" to the earth or ""locked to life"", to ward away death. Lock charms may feature Taoist symbolism such as the Taijitu and the Bagua and often have other symbols including Taoist deities such as the Sanxing and Kitchen god. The God of Prosperity, Lu, is usually depicted holding a Ruyi scepter and Shou, the God of Longevity, may hold a walking cane and a peach, which in Chinese folk religion refers to the peaches of immortality that can extend one's life by 3000 years. Taoist symbols such"
"inexorable force that can erode and penetrate stone) and Thunder (Zhen). The element of Metal corresponds with the trigrams of Heaven (Qian) and Lake (Dui). There are eight possible combinations to render the various trigrams ( ""bāguà""): !style=""background-color:#CCCCCC""|Name !style=""background-color:#CCCCCC""|Nature !style=""background-color:#CCCCCC""|Season !style=""background-color:#CCCCCC""|Personality !style=""background-color:#CCCCCC""|Family !style=""background-color:#CCCCCC""|Direction !style=""background-color:#CCCCCC""|Meaning Bagua The Bagua or Pa Kua are eight symbols used in Taoist cosmology to represent the fundamental principles of reality, seen as a range of eight interrelated concepts. Each consists of three lines, each line either ""broken"" or ""unbroken"", respectively representing yin or yang. Due to their tripartite structure, they are often referred to as Eight"
"natural world. Many Confucians believed that he embodied the virtue of ""authenticity"". He had great insight into the Way of Heaven. The first major popularization of the taijitu symbol is also credited to Zhou Dunyi; this symbol (in an altered form) is now known worldwide as the commonly accepted symbol for the Chinese concepts of yin and yang. Zhou Dunyi Zhou Dunyi (; 1017–1073) was a Song dynasty Chinese Neo-Confucian philosopher and cosmologist born during the Song Dynasty. He conceptualized the Neo-Confucian cosmology of the day, explaining the relationship between human conduct and universal forces. In this way, he emphasizes"
"text synthesized Confucianist metaphysics of the ""Yijing"" with aspects of Daoism and Chinese Buddhism. In the ""Taijitu"" diagram, ""wuji"" is represented as a blank circle and ""taiji"" as a circle with a center point (world embryo) or with broken and unbroken lines (yin and yang). Zhou's key terms Wuji and Taiji appear in the famous opening phrase ""wuji er taiji"" 無極而太極, which Adler notes could also be translated ""The Supreme Polarity that is Non-Polar!"". Non-polar (""wuji"") and yet Supreme Polarity (""taiji"")! The Supreme Polarity in activity generates ""yang""; yet at the limit of activity it is still. In stillness it"
"space, white symbolizes the air and wind, red symbolizes fire, green symbolizes water, and yellow symbolizes earth. According to Traditional Tibetan medicine, health and harmony are produced through the balance of the five elements. The center of a prayer flag traditionally features a ""Lung ta"" (powerful or strong horse) bearing three flaming jewels (specifically ""ratna"") on its back. The ""Ta"" is a symbol of speed and the transformation of bad fortune to good fortune. The three flaming jewels symbolize the Buddha, the Dharma (Buddhist teachings), and the Sangha (Buddhist community): the three cornerstones of Tibetan philosophical tradition. Surrounding the ""Lung"
"shape of the clothes they wear. The colors usually indicate one of the Five Elements, for instance “red” is associated to the “Heart” and the “Fire” element. The other attributes of the spirits are symbolically associated to the concepts of Yin Yang, Eight Trigrams (Bagua, 八卦) of I Ching etc. The text of the scripture gradually develops a systematic description of main body elements and functions, as aspects of the Universal Spiritual Harmony in the Human Being. Yellow Court Classic The Yellow Court Classic (""Huang Ting Jing"", 黄庭经), a Chinese Taoist meditation text, was received from the unknown source (according"
"to the universe from which all things and values are derived. It is also the symbol that makes up the center of the flag of South Korea and the source for its name, ""taegeukgi"" (hangul: 태극기, where ""gi"" means ""flag""). The taegeuk is commonly associated with Korean Taoism philosophical values as well as Korean shamanism. The word ""pal"" is the number 8 in the Sino-Korean numbering system. The word ""jang"" translates roughly as ""chapter"" or ""part"". Taegeuk Pal Jang translates as ""Part 8 of the Taegeuk"". The floor pattern (or ""yeon-mu"") of each taegeuk poomsae is three parallel lines. On"
"views within the neo-Confucian community, but overall, a system emerged that resembled both Buddhist and Taoist (Daoist) thought of the time and some of the ideas expressed in the I Ching (Book of Changes) as well as other yin yang theories associated with the Taiji symbol (Taijitu). A well known neo-Confucian motif is paintings of Confucius, Buddha, and Lao Tzu all drinking out of the same vinegar jar, paintings associated with the slogan ""The three teachings are one!"" While neo-Confucianism incorporated Buddhist and Taoist ideas, many neo-Confucianists strongly opposed Buddhism and Taoism. Indeed, they rejected the Buddhist and Taoist religions."
". This symbol has also played a significant part in India and Europe. However, speculations of a Gnostic-dualistic character are foreign to the original thought of the ""I Ching""; what it posits is simply the ridgepole, the line. With this line, which in itself represents oneness, duality comes into the world, for the line at the same time posits an above and a below, a right and left, front and back – in a word, the world of the opposites. (1967:lv) The Song Dynasty philosopher Zhou Dunyi (1017-1073 CE) wrote the ""Taijitu shuo"" 太極圖說 ""Explanation of the Diagram of the"
"(1644–1912), Daoists wrote the first specialized texts on ""nüdan"" 女丹 ""inner alchemy for women"", and developed new forms of physical meditation, notably ""Taijiquan""—sometimes described as meditation in motion or moving meditation. This ""Neijia"" internal martial art is named after the Taijitu symbol, which was a traditional focus in both Daoist and Neo-Confucian meditation. Daoism and other Chinese religions were suppressed under the Republic of China (1912–1949) and in the People's Republic of China from 1949 to 1979. Many Daoist temples and monasteries have been reopened in recent years. Western knowledge of Daoist meditation was stimulated by Richard Wilhelm's (German 1929,"
"forms of imperial decrees. Many Taoist charms and amulets read as if it were by a high rank official commanding the evil spirits and bogies with inscriptions such as ""let it (the command) be executed as fast as Lü Ling."", ""quickly, quickly, this is an order"", and ""(pay) respect (to) this command"". Taoist charms and amulets can contain either square holes and round ones, many Taoist amulets and charms contain images of Liu Haichan, Zhenwu, the Bagua, Yin Yang symbols, constellations, Laozi, swords, bats, and immortals. During the Song dynasty a number of Taoist charms depicting the “Quest for Longevity”"
"waterwheels (an early Chinese invention) being run by two children representing yin and yang. Neijing Tu The Neijing Tu () is a Daoist ""inner landscape"" diagram of the human body illustrating ""Neidan"" ""Internal alchemy"", Wu Xing, Yin and Yang, and Chinese mythology. The name ""Neijing tu"" combines ""nei"" ""inside; inner; internal"", ""jing"" ""warp (vs. woof); scripture, canon, classic; (TCM) meridian; channel"", and ""tu"" ""picture; drawing; chart; map; plan"". This title, comparable with ""Huangdi Neijing"" 黃帝內經 ""Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon"", is generally interpreted as a ""chart"" or ""diagram"" of ""inner"" ""meridians"" or ""channels"" for circulating ""qi"" in ""neidan"" practices. English translations"
"in which Taoism continues to be an ""order"" of the larger body of Chinese religion. Laozi is traditionally regarded as one of the founders of Taoism and is closely associated in this context with ""original"" or ""primordial"" Taoism. Whether he actually existed is disputed; however, the work attributed to him—the ""Tao Te Ching""—is dated to the late 4th century BCE. Taoism draws its cosmological foundations from the School of Naturalists (in the form of its main elements—yin and yang and the Five Phases), which developed during the Warring States period (4th to 3rd centuries BC). Robinet identifies four components in"
"which all things and values are derived. It is also the symbol that makes up the center of the flag of South Korea and the source for its name, ""taegeukgi"" (hangul: 태극기, where ""gi"" means ""flag""). The taegeuk is commonly associated with Korean Taoism philosophical values as well as Korean shamanism. The word ""ee"" is the number 2 in the Sino-Korean numbering system. The word ""jang"" translates roughly as ""chapter"" or ""part"". Taegeuk Ee Jang translates as ""Part 2 of the Taegeuk"". The floor pattern (or ""yeon-mu"") of each taegeuk poomsae is three parallel lines. On each line, a 180"
"Neijing Tu The Neijing Tu () is a Daoist ""inner landscape"" diagram of the human body illustrating ""Neidan"" ""Internal alchemy"", Wu Xing, Yin and Yang, and Chinese mythology. The name ""Neijing tu"" combines ""nei"" ""inside; inner; internal"", ""jing"" ""warp (vs. woof); scripture, canon, classic; (TCM) meridian; channel"", and ""tu"" ""picture; drawing; chart; map; plan"". This title, comparable with ""Huangdi Neijing"" 黃帝內經 ""Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon"", is generally interpreted as a ""chart"" or ""diagram"" of ""inner"" ""meridians"" or ""channels"" for circulating ""qi"" in ""neidan"" practices. English translations of ""Neijing tu"" include: ""Neijing tu"" 內經圖 has an alternate writing of ""Neijing tu"""
"Taoist philosophy Taoist philosophy (Chinese: 道家; pinyin: ""dàojiā""; lit. ""school or family of the Tao"") also known as Taology (Chinese: 道學; pinyin: ""dàoxué""; lit. ""learning of the Tao"") refers to the various philosophical currents of Taoism, a tradition of Chinese origin which emphasizes living in harmony with the ""Tao"" (, also romanized as ""Dao""). The ""Tao"" is a mysterious and deep principle that is the source, pattern and substance of the entire universe. Throughout its history, Taoist philosophy has emphasized concepts like ""wu wei"" (effortless action), ""ziran"" (""naturalness""), yin and yang, ""Ch'i"" (""life energy"")"","" ""Wu"" (non-being), and personal cultivation through"
"believed to assist the Jade Emperor in controlling the mortal world. Their number was later quintupled to 60, based on the combinations of the twelve divisions (reckoned using the earthly stems) with the five Chinese elements of fire, earth, metal, water, and wood. Each of the gods' features and attributes signifies the well-being of that year. For example, if the Tai Sui of the year holds a pen, it signifies political unrest for that particular year. On the other hand, if the Tai Sui of the year holds a spear or sword, it signifies the need to work hard and"
"Tai Sui Tai Sui is a Chinese term for the stars directly opposite the planet Jupiter (木星 ""Mùxīng"") during its roughly 12-year orbital cycle. Personified as deities, they are important features of Chinese astrology, Feng Shui, Taoism, and Chinese Buddhism to a lesser extent. The 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac are based on divisions of the Jovian orbital cycle, rather than—as with the western zodiac—the apparent motion of the sun relative to the celestial sphere. The star thought to oppose Jupiter during each year of the cycle was personified as a Heavenly General () or Cycle God. These were"
"cultural products. For example, in the yin/yang symbol, there is perpetual motion from black to white indicating that the world is in constant flux. The black and white dots represent contradiction; Not only can opposites co-exist, they could not exist without one another. The values of balance and harmony are represented by the symmetry of the symbol, and the cognitive style of holism by the outer circle representing context The Yin/Yang symbol is present in many well known pieces of art, as well as other symbols of Taoism and naive dialectic beliefs. The famous woodblock print “The Great Wave off"
"yin and yang, the female representing yin and the male yang. The male lion has its right front paw on a type of cloth ball simply called an ""embroidered ball"" (xiù qiú, 绣球), which is sometimes carved with a geometric pattern. The female is essentially identical, but has a cub under the left paw, representing the cycle of life. Symbolically, the female lion protects those dwelling inside (the living soul within), while the male guards the structure (the external material elements). Sometimes the female has her mouth closed, and the male open. This symbolizes the enunciation of the sacred word"
"the 16th century. The original description of a ""taijitu"" is due to Song era philosopher Zhou Dunyi (1017–1073), author of the ""Taijitu shuo"" ""Explanation of the Diagram of the Supreme Ultimate"", which became the cornerstone of Neo-Confucianist cosmology. His brief text synthesized aspects of Chinese Buddhism and Taoism with metaphysical discussions in the ""Yijing"". Zhou's key terms Wuji and Taiji appear in the opening line , which Adler notes could also be translated ""The Supreme Polarity that is Non-Polar"". Non-polar (""wuji"") and yet Supreme Polarity (""taiji"")! The Supreme Polarity in activity generates ""yang""; yet at the limit of activity it"
"five divisions which represent the five elements, although the five segments can be hard to discern. The bottom-most piece, touching the ground, represents ""chi""; the next section represents ""sui""; ""ka"" is represented by the section encasing the lantern's light or flame, while ""fū"" and ""kū"" are represented by the last two sections, top-most and pointing towards the sky. Another common symbol of the five elements is the ""gorintō"", a stone tower of modest size used mainly in Buddhist temples and cemeteries. It is composed from bottom to top of a cube, a sphere, a triangle, a crescent and something resembling"
"As one of the oldest principles in Chinese philosophy, yin and yang are also discussed in Confucianism, but to a lesser extent. Some of the common associations with yang and yin, respectively, are: male and female, light and dark, active and passive, motion and stillness. Some scholars believe that the two ideas may have originally referred to two opposite sides of a mountain, facing towards and away from the sun. The yin and yang symbol in actuality has very little to do with Western dualism; instead it represents the philosophy of balance, where two opposites co-exist in harmony and are"
"with fire, sky, the sun, masculinity and daytime. The yin-yang symbol, having no ""officially standardized"" rendition, has been the basis of much artistic variation, most of it ""frivolous"" (that is, ""merely"" artistic, with no philosophical/mystical meaning, e.g., tattoos). Yin and yang also applies to the human body. In traditional Chinese medicine good health is directly related to the balance between yin and yang qualities within oneself. If yin and yang become unbalanced, one of the qualities is considered deficient or has vacuity. In the ""I Ching"", originally a divination manual of the Western Zhou period (c. 1000–750 BC), yin and"
"from the ""Neijing tu"" are mainly related to the Thunder Rites (""leifa"") – in particular, the spiral at the level of the kidneys, the nine ""orifices of hell"" at the base of the spine, and the three curls at the top of the head that represent the three primordial breaths according to the ""Tianxin zhengfa"" tradition. The chart also represents the main parts of the body, including the Cinnabar Fields (""dantian""), the Three Passes (""sanguan"", represented by the three chariots) of the back, the throat, the paradisiacal and infernal worlds, and the body's divinities according to the ""Huangting jing"", and"