Influences of Daoism in China
Influences of Daoism on Chinese Medical Theories and Practices
It is said that is you lived by the way of the Dao, you lived a very long life. Daoism was based on philosophy rather than scientific evidence. They believe the human body is a microcosm of the universe.
Daoism also consisted of a strong belief in harmony with nature and a "yin-yang" theory. The yin and yang was more phisolophical than scientific, but it helped the people of China maintain harmony with themselves and nature. An example of this is when yin and yang are in sync with your life, you will be full of energy. When yin and yang are disrupted, you will suffer exhaustion. Daoism focused the balance between one's internal environment and external environment.
Daoism medical theories provided the basis for many different medical theories such as acupuncture, energy based body work, feng shui, qi gong, meditation, and even some forms of martial arts. All these theories maintained the focus of keeping balance between your internal and external environments. By doing this the person will have good health.
Alchemical Doaism
Alchemical Daoism mainly focused living a long and healthy life by means of drinking certain substances and herbs to extend your life. This included following a certain diet, excercising, and meditation. An example of alchemical Daoism is Emporer Huangdi demanded an "elixir to immortality". Many different alchemists came to him with their different chemical mixtures and one mixture eventually killed him. (A mercury solution).
Daoism also consisted of a strong belief in harmony with nature and a "yin-yang" theory. The yin and yang was more phisolophical than scientific, but it helped the people of China maintain harmony with themselves and nature. An example of this is when yin and yang are in sync with your life, you will be full of energy. When yin and yang are disrupted, you will suffer exhaustion. Daoism focused the balance between one's internal environment and external environment.
Daoism medical theories provided the basis for many different medical theories such as acupuncture, energy based body work, feng shui, qi gong, meditation, and even some forms of martial arts. All these theories maintained the focus of keeping balance between your internal and external environments. By doing this the person will have good health.
Alchemical Doaism
Alchemical Daoism mainly focused living a long and healthy life by means of drinking certain substances and herbs to extend your life. This included following a certain diet, excercising, and meditation. An example of alchemical Daoism is Emporer Huangdi demanded an "elixir to immortality". Many different alchemists came to him with their different chemical mixtures and one mixture eventually killed him. (A mercury solution).
Influence of Daoism on Chinese Poetry
Daoism poetry and art was mainly centered around the balance of nature and everyday aspects of life.
Lao Tzu wrote the Tao Te Ching. The Tao Te Ching are texts full of poetic allusions and riddles meant to help people reject worldy ambitions and keep haromony and balance with nature. Poetry influenced by Daoism will tend to be about nature or nature based. They tend to have opposite forces in the poetry to "balance" the poem out. Daoist influenced poetry also consists of universal aspects of life as seen in Tu Fu's poem "By the Winding River."
Everywhere petals are flying
And spring is fading. Ten thousand
Atoms of sorrow whirl away
In the wind. I will watch the last
Flowers as they fade, and ease T
he pain in my heart with wine.
Two kingfishers mate and nest in
The ruined river pavilion.
Some unicorns, male and female,
Guard the great tomb in the park.
After the laws of their being,
All creatures pursue happiness.
Why have I let an official
Career swerve me from my goal?
The idea of the pursuit of happiness is present with the line "All creatures pursue happiness" confirming this theme.
http://www.centerforfutureconsciousness.com/pdf_files/2008_Essays/Taoism%20and%20its%20Influence%20on%20the%20Arts%20of%20China.pdf
Lao Tzu wrote the Tao Te Ching. The Tao Te Ching are texts full of poetic allusions and riddles meant to help people reject worldy ambitions and keep haromony and balance with nature. Poetry influenced by Daoism will tend to be about nature or nature based. They tend to have opposite forces in the poetry to "balance" the poem out. Daoist influenced poetry also consists of universal aspects of life as seen in Tu Fu's poem "By the Winding River."
Everywhere petals are flying
And spring is fading. Ten thousand
Atoms of sorrow whirl away
In the wind. I will watch the last
Flowers as they fade, and ease T
he pain in my heart with wine.
Two kingfishers mate and nest in
The ruined river pavilion.
Some unicorns, male and female,
Guard the great tomb in the park.
After the laws of their being,
All creatures pursue happiness.
Why have I let an official
Career swerve me from my goal?
The idea of the pursuit of happiness is present with the line "All creatures pursue happiness" confirming this theme.
http://www.centerforfutureconsciousness.com/pdf_files/2008_Essays/Taoism%20and%20its%20Influence%20on%20the%20Arts%20of%20China.pdf
Influences of Daoism on Chinese Metallurgy
Daoist alchemy, for the longest time, consisted of trying to change other substances into gold and finding the elixir for an everlasting life.
Chinese alchemists used many minerals and herbs in the search for an everlasting life. They mixed metals to search for a substance that could be absorbed by the skin and provide immortality. After many years, they realized this was not possible and moved on. (A strong example of this was emperor Huangdi who died by drinking mercury, which was said to give everlasting life)
Daoist alchemists also tried to transform other metals (such as lead) into gold. They did this by mixing metals with minerals, but never succeeded in creating gold. Again after several years of attempts to create an elixir for immortality and the creation of gold, the alchemists turned to the means of perfecting one's life and the surroundings around it.
Although they failed in finding an elixir for immortality and gold, the gained a greater understanding of metallurgy. Chinese Daoist alchemy was the basis for the invention of gunpowder, which was first used to treat skin injuries.
Chinese alchemists used many minerals and herbs in the search for an everlasting life. They mixed metals to search for a substance that could be absorbed by the skin and provide immortality. After many years, they realized this was not possible and moved on. (A strong example of this was emperor Huangdi who died by drinking mercury, which was said to give everlasting life)
Daoist alchemists also tried to transform other metals (such as lead) into gold. They did this by mixing metals with minerals, but never succeeded in creating gold. Again after several years of attempts to create an elixir for immortality and the creation of gold, the alchemists turned to the means of perfecting one's life and the surroundings around it.
Although they failed in finding an elixir for immortality and gold, the gained a greater understanding of metallurgy. Chinese Daoist alchemy was the basis for the invention of gunpowder, which was first used to treat skin injuries.
Influence of Daoism on Chinese Architecture
Daoist architecture strongly influenced the Chinese. Although Daoist architecture occasionally can be confused with Buddhist architecture, there are many distinct differences.
Daoist Architecture has its buildings and temples in harmony with nature. They built temples which conformed to the contours of the land. They also built their temples with wooden frames, symmetrically, and included gardens with pavilions or walkways, or incorporated the natural scenery into the building.
Inside these temples they were centered around a furnace, which was used for making alchemical pills. Around the furnace was other constructions in sync with the "eight diagrams."
Daoist architecture not only included temples, but consisted of palaces, alters, nunneries, and huts for religious purposes as well.
Daoist Architecture has its buildings and temples in harmony with nature. They built temples which conformed to the contours of the land. They also built their temples with wooden frames, symmetrically, and included gardens with pavilions or walkways, or incorporated the natural scenery into the building.
Inside these temples they were centered around a furnace, which was used for making alchemical pills. Around the furnace was other constructions in sync with the "eight diagrams."
Daoist architecture not only included temples, but consisted of palaces, alters, nunneries, and huts for religious purposes as well.
Works Cited (Links)
- http://taoism.about.com/od/visualsymbols/p/YinYang.htm
- http://www.google.com/search?q=daoism+philosophy&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=moiPUojaLomikQeVrYHoCQ&sqi=2&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1280&bih=866#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=GDmMCV28cJy4EM%3A%3BznImYlBLo0waFM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fgossamerstrands.com%252FAsiaPhil105%252F105images%252FVinegarTasters.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fgossamerstrands.com%252FAsiaPhil105%252F105lecture10.htm%3B231%3B288
- http://www.sacredlotus.com/theory/origins.cfm
- http://www.tcmbasics.com/basics_yinyang_application.htm
- http://taoism.about.com/od/poetry/a/poetry.htm
- http://www.artsmia.org/art-of-asia/explore/explore-collection-taoist-art.cfm
- http://www.taoiststudies.org/taoist_alchemy.html
- http://inventors.about.com/od/chineseinventors/a/gunpowder.htm
- http://wudang.chinadaily.com.cn/2012-05/22/content_15358913.htm