Taoism is the one and only recognized religion indigenous to China. Its origins trace back to ancient shamanic practices of the Central Plains peoples, where the worship of celestial phenomena, the land, and the spirits of their ancestors was common. These customs became a framework where deities, nature, spirits, and human beings coexist and interact.

 

Hundreds of schools of thought contended during the Spring and Autumn and the Warring States Periods, and philosophical theories flourished and developed. Among them, the Taoist teachings—the Tao Te Ching, represented by the legendary philosopher Laozi—was the most prominent, laying the theoretical foundation for the formal establishment of Taoism. 

 

During the Eastern Han Dynasty, Taoism was formally organized and founded by the Heavenly Master Zhang Daoling, establishing Laozi as the ancestor of Taoism and the Tao Te Ching as its doctrine. The main purpose as led by Master Zhang was to cultivate oneself, pursue the way of nature, and bring salvation to the world and its people.

 

Over the many dynasties from ancient to pre-modern China, Taoism became inseparable from Chinese culture itself. Numerous new thoughts and reforms during the Southern and Northern Dynasties were ushered in by Taoists thinkers. As Buddhism spread eastward, many of its theories in astronomy, arithmetic, and medicine were incorporated into Taoism, bringing innovation and differing perspectives into China. These changes also saw Taoism mature as a religion, with relatively complete scriptures, religious laws, rituals, and institutions.

 

Taoism was also widely practiced among the population and closely integrated with daily life,  local customs, and mythology. Taoist ideas seeped into all aspects of society and culture, as seen by martial arts, magical elixirs, sanity pursuits, and other tropes described in literature. Taoist rituals and teachings continue to influence the many aspects of Chinese life and culture today.