Taoism Vocab
Baibai:
The practice of offering up incense to the Taoist altar
As the incense burns, smoke rises and ashes fall. The ashes represent impure air that sinks and the smoke that rises represents pure air
This symbolizes the human body as being the meeting place of heaven and earth
Ch’i:
Literal translation means “air” or “breath” but the concept means the energy flow or the life force of all things
Can be regulated through practices such as Tai Chi
Breath control/ meditative breathing allows Ch’i to flow through the entire body by imagining the breath is an invisible current moving through the body
"Qi is the basic material of all that exists. It animates life and furnishes functional power of events. Qi is the root of the human body; its quality and movement determine human health. There is a normal or healthy amount of qi in every person, and health manifests in its balance and harmony, its moderation and smoothness of flow." -- Livia Kohn
5 Elements:
Wood, fire, earth, metal, and water
All material things are made of a single or a combination of the five elements
The elements are equally important and form a balance
Fu:
The invariable nature of the universe
everything returns to the Tao eventually
I Ching:
An ancient Chinese text also known as the Book of Changes
A collection of 64 hexagrams that talk about the relationships between the Yin and Yang
Assists people in deciding on how to plan their lives in accordance with the forces of the universe
Influenced by both Taoism and Confucianism
Dantians:
The three dantians are the regions of the body in which the three treasures are located
The lower abdomen has Jing (reproductive energy), the thoracic cavity has Qi (life energy), and the head/mind has Shen (spiritual energy)
The three dantians are essential to the practice of Quigoung (a form of Taoist meditation)
Jade Emperor (3 Purities):
The Jade emperor, Ling Bao, and Laozi form the 3 purities
One of the most important gods of the Taoist pantheon
Ruler of all heavens
Jiao:
Major/important Taoist ritual
Rite of cosmic renewal
Each household takes offerings to deities and the these offerings are dedicated to the deities through a ceremony led by a Taoist priest
The ceremony involves rituals asking for order in the universe as well as order in the village
Baibai:
The practice of offering up incense to the Taoist altar
As the incense burns, smoke rises and ashes fall. The ashes represent impure air that sinks and the smoke that rises represents pure air
This symbolizes the human body as being the meeting place of heaven and earth
Ch’i:
Literal translation means “air” or “breath” but the concept means the energy flow or the life force of all things
Can be regulated through practices such as Tai Chi
Breath control/ meditative breathing allows Ch’i to flow through the entire body by imagining the breath is an invisible current moving through the body
"Qi is the basic material of all that exists. It animates life and furnishes functional power of events. Qi is the root of the human body; its quality and movement determine human health. There is a normal or healthy amount of qi in every person, and health manifests in its balance and harmony, its moderation and smoothness of flow." -- Livia Kohn
5 Elements:
Wood, fire, earth, metal, and water
All material things are made of a single or a combination of the five elements
The elements are equally important and form a balance
Fu:
The invariable nature of the universe
everything returns to the Tao eventually
I Ching:
An ancient Chinese text also known as the Book of Changes
A collection of 64 hexagrams that talk about the relationships between the Yin and Yang
Assists people in deciding on how to plan their lives in accordance with the forces of the universe
Influenced by both Taoism and Confucianism
Dantians:
The three dantians are the regions of the body in which the three treasures are located
The lower abdomen has Jing (reproductive energy), the thoracic cavity has Qi (life energy), and the head/mind has Shen (spiritual energy)
The three dantians are essential to the practice of Quigoung (a form of Taoist meditation)
Jade Emperor (3 Purities):
The Jade emperor, Ling Bao, and Laozi form the 3 purities
One of the most important gods of the Taoist pantheon
Ruler of all heavens
Jiao:
Major/important Taoist ritual
Rite of cosmic renewal
Each household takes offerings to deities and the these offerings are dedicated to the deities through a ceremony led by a Taoist priest
The ceremony involves rituals asking for order in the universe as well as order in the village