BaZi & Five Elements
Birth Date Reading
Select your birth date and birth hour to calculate your Chinese zodiac, BaZi pillars and five-element tendency.
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Result based on birth date and birth hour. Birthplace and true solar time are not included.
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Taoist History
The Origin of Taoism
Taoism (also spelled Daoism) is one of the world’s oldest living religions and the only major religion that originated in China. Rather than being founded by a single person at one specific moment, Taoism gradually developed over many centuries by combining ancient Chinese philosophy, folk beliefs, and spiritual practices.
Early Origins
The philosophical foundation of Taoism can be traced back to the 6th century BCE. It is closely associated with the ancient Chinese philosopher Laozi (Lao Tzu), who wrote the Tao Te Ching (Dao De Jing), one of the most influential books in Chinese history.
In this classic text, Laozi introduced the concept of the Tao (Dao), meaning “The Way”—the natural order and fundamental principle of the universe. He taught that people should live in harmony with nature, practice simplicity, and avoid unnecessary conflict.
Another important philosopher, Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu), expanded these ideas by emphasizing personal freedom, inner peace, and the unity between humans and nature.
From Philosophy to Religion
While Taoism began as a philosophy, it gradually evolved into an organized religion.
Around the 2nd century CE during China’s Eastern Han Dynasty, Zhang Daoling established the first organized Taoist community. His movement became known as the Way of the Celestial Masters, marking the beginning of Taoism as a formal religion with temples, rituals, priests, and ethical teachings.
Growth and Development
Over the following centuries, Taoism continued to grow and became an important part of Chinese culture.
It developed:
- A rich collection of sacred scriptures.
- A system of temples and religious ceremonies.
- Meditation and self-cultivation practices.
- Traditional health and longevity techniques.
- A diverse pantheon of deities and immortals.
During the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE), Taoism received strong support from the imperial court and reached one of its greatest periods of influence.
Main Traditions
Today, Taoism is generally divided into two major traditions:
Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity):
Focuses on religious rituals, ceremonies, blessings,
and community worship. Taoist priests in this tradition
may marry.
Quanzhen (Complete Perfection):
Emphasizes meditation, self-discipline, moral cultivation,
and spiritual practice. Many Quanzhen priests live as
celibate monks.
Core Beliefs
The central teachings of Taoism include:
- Living in harmony with the Tao, the natural way of the universe.
- Respecting the balance of nature.
- Cultivating inner peace and wisdom.
- Practicing kindness, compassion, and humility.
- Improving both physical health and spiritual well-being through self-cultivation.
Taoism Today
Today, Taoism is practiced by millions of people around the world. Beyond its religious traditions, Taoist philosophy has also influenced Chinese medicine, martial arts, meditation, Feng Shui, calligraphy, poetry, and many aspects of East Asian culture.
Its timeless message encourages people to live simply, respect nature, and seek harmony within themselves and with the world around them.
Ancient Chinese Medicine
Ge Hong, Bao Gu, and the Roots of Moxa Therapy
In the 4th century, during China's Eastern Jin Dynasty, a Taoist physician named Ge Hong retreated to the misty mountains of Luofu—and stayed for thirty years. There, away from the chaos of the world, he wrote the Handbook of Prescriptions for Emergencies (Zhou Hou Bei Ji Fang), a medical text that would influence Eastern healing for centuries to come.
His philosophy was radical for its time—and remarkably modern: simple, convenient, affordable, and effective. No rare ingredients. No convoluted rituals. Just practical remedies that ordinary people could access.
But Ge Hong didn't work alone. His wife, Bao Gu, became the first recorded female acupuncturist in Chinese history. Together, they documented 99 moxibustion techniques, laying the very foundation of what we now know as moxa therapy—a practice still widely used today for pain relief and circulation.
Ge Hong also championed what we'd now call “food as medicine.” His belief that daily meals could be daily medicine gave rise to the herbal tea and slow-simmered soup traditions that remain central to Cantonese culture even now.