Keeping in mind visions of cosmic harmony many Chinese thinkers have sought to codify this symbol is various intellectual constructions. Whether this pattern is to be formulated in words, concepts, number or visual designs is something that has been debated since the time of the Han dynasty.

This question was first asked in the interpretation of the Yijing which was constructed around sixty four hexagrams, each made of six parallel line segments. Each of the sixty four segments has a unique design and its image relates to a particular natural object and conveys the meaning of human activities and events. Thus the Yijing has given a different approach to the way the universe is deciphered and it incorporates three elements xiang (image), shu (numbers) and li (meanings).

The school of Xiangshu has given a different way to interpret the classics and according to them it is to produce a figurative and numerological representation of the universe through images and numbers.  What this school did was to draw diagrams and this was meant as a means of articulating the basic patterns that govern the various phenomenons that take place in the universe.

The school of Yili focuses more on new theories than explaining the classics.

Thus many schools have tried to interpret the ying-yang symbol in their own way but there has never been one claimant to it. Even so it remains one of the foundation stones of Taoism and will continued to be revered by followers of the religion.

Yin-Yang is a dominant philosophical concept that is shared by most schools of Chinese philosophy. It is used to explain 3 basic things:

·         yinyang as the coherent fabric of nature and mind, exhibited in all existence,

·         yinyang as jiao (interaction) between the waxing and waning of the cosmic and human realms, and

·         yinyang as a process of harmonization ensuring a constant, dynamic balance of all things.

The earliest instances that have been found of ying-yang are inscriptions made on oracle bones where ying and yang are descriptions of natural phenomena such as weather conditions etc.

The interpretation of ying-yang that has stood the test of time for the longest is related to the concept of ‘chi’ or vital energy.  According to this interpretation ying and yang are ‘chi’ which operate in the universe.  In the “Duke Shao” chapter of the Zuozhuan (The Book of History), yin and yang are first defined as two of six heavenly qi:

There are six heavenly influences [qi] which descend and produce the five tastes, go forth in the five colours, and are verified in the five notes; but when they are in excess, they produce the six diseases. Those six influences are denominated the yin, the yang, wind, rain, obscurity, and brightness. In their separation, they form the four seasons; in their order, they form the five (elementary) terms. When any of them is in excess, they ensure calamity. An excess of the yin leads to diseases of cold; of the yang, to diseases of heat.

Ying yang has also been spoken of as some concrete substance (xingzhi) according to which yixing and yangxing explain all the concepts in the universe and yang was identified with the sun and ying with the moon.

It is believed that both human as well as heavenly bodies have ying-yang and that they are present everywhere to bring about harmony in the universe.

In Tao beliefs, Chi is the vital energy in the universe from which the rest of the world was created. It is believed to exist in every living creature. Though the source of Chi is unknown to man, it is cosmic in nature and it is manifested and can be applied practically through disciplines such as martial arts.

People try to create a link between themselves and Chi by using images and pictures of gods in religious ceremonies which they believe bring themselves closer to the Chi and helps them find the path in life. It is common Taoist belief that this connection to Chi gives them mental strength and fortitude and gives them a better understanding of life and all its realities. This connection makes them realize their mistakes in the past and also helps them see clearly their place in the world.

Chi Kung is the ancient art of developing such energy which brings with it better health, longevity, vitality and helps one become more spiritual no matter what one’s religion, sex or cultural beliefs. This is called Chi Kung in Taoism while Hindus refer to their method as Yoga and the Ancient Egyptians called it the ‘mystery art’.

Attaining the energy helps in curing a number of diseases from everyday ailments to more serious medical problems.  A lower level of chi kung training brings about better blood circulation, muscle relaxation and the like while a slightly more advanced level of chi kung is believed to prevent ailments like common cold, fever and curing things like asthma, body aches and pains, tuberculosis and some others. High level practicing of Chi Kung is believed to give one enough energy to fight diseases like ulcers, diabetes and even cancer.

This is based on the belief that if there is insufficient energy in the human body the natural systems of the body do not work properly and thus illness occurs.

People are well aware of Lao Tzu and his contribution to Taoism but Chuang Tzu is someone who is relatively unknown. Chuang Tzu (also referred to as Zhuangzi) was born in Wei in what is today called the Hu Nan province of China around the 4^th century B.C when China was a mass of warring states. He was a small government office and was once offered a higher position which he refused saying that it would curtail his freedom.          

Chuang was well aware of the literature of his time and the views of popular philosophers but he was a follower of Lao Tzu’s philosophy and most of his writings are reflections of Lao Tzu’s doctrines.  Over the years Chuang Tzu also developed into a critic of Confucius and his disciples and criticized his beliefs with great satire in his writings.

Chuang Tzu was also known to be one of the first to propound the concept of anarchy and he said about the world that “it does not need governing; in fact it should not be governed” and he also believed that good order would result automatically when things were left as they were.

His philosophy is slightly skeptical as he believed that our knowledge of things is unlimited but the things in the world are unlimited and thus to use the limited to pursue the unlimited is foolish. He also was opposed to relativism which caused him to doubt many pragmatic arguments.

His self titled book Zhuangzi has been compiled from many sources and some parts of it were written by him and he does not restrict himself to Taoism in his book unlike most other writers of the time like Confucius  and Mencius.

The three jewels or the three treasures as they are also called are the basic virtues of Taoism. They first appeared in chapter 67 of the Tai Te Ching and are considered Laozi’s most beautiful teachings.

Every one says my Tao is greatly like folly. Just because it is great, it looks like folly. Great ways do not look like the ordinary anyhow. If it did not look like folly, it could have turned small and petty long ago! Then it would have been small. As for things that do not look foolish to common men, there can be no question about their smallness.

Ihave three treasures. Guard and keep them:
The first is a deep, deep concern; call it mystic pity, if you like.
The second is never too much, which may mean frugality.
And the third is refusal to be ahead, foremost or first, for I hardly dare to be ahead. – Arthur Waley, Ling Yutang & Wing tsit Chan

The first treasure is ci which means compassion, tenderness, love, mercy, benevolence and is also used in Chinese to mean mother.

The second treasure is called jian which literally means frugality, restraint, moderation, economy. It is believed that this practice is connected and stands for the fact that nature does not waste anything. It means simple desires when applied to life.

The third treasure is bugan wei tianxia xian which means to not be the first or ahead in the world. This is interpreted as being the Taoist way of avoiding premature death. Being ahead of the world means making oneself susceptible to the world’s destructive forces. This fear of death arises out of a love for life and is at the centre of Taoist wisdom.

Thus these three treasures are the central tenets of Taoism and are followed closely by quite a number of people.

In spite of being absolutely wonderful and full of great lessons on life, the Tao Te Ching is a very unexplored book and a majority of the world have never read it or even heard of it. The book is an enigma and makes you realize how caught up in your own life and material things you have become. People tend to be very restricted by barriers of faith and religion and this holds them back.

Even if you follow any other religion, the Tao Te Ching is a must read because of all the valuable lessons and wisdom that it offers. People tend to be restricted to religious texts of their own religion, while avoiding others. No book is complete is itself and reading more and more books and religious texts give you a greater view on life.

Another thing is that non-spiritual people also don’t read it because they believe it is all about god and thus they feel that it will have no relevance to them. This however is not true. The Tao Te Ching is more of a philosophical book and it is about The Way of Life. It teaches you about the important things in life and provides food for thought. I have been greatly influenced by it and my life has improved considerably.

It is great to absorb the wisdom in the book and give it your own interpretation. The book has some excellent messages and has something for everybody and there is something in the book that will touch each of us. It can teach you a lot about life and what you are missing out. My advice to everybody would be to read the Tao Te Ching and awaken your senses. It is not as a religious tool but as a way of life that the Tao Te Ching should be read.

Lao Tzu was the first person to write in document form the philosophy of Taoism.  The book was initially given the writer’s name as its title but later on it became a classic and one of the basic texts of Taoism and the emperor Ging of the Tang dynasty gave it the name ‘Tao Te Ching’.

Later on Chuang Tzu wrote about Taoism using a lot of humour, anecdotes and fables to express his views about Taoism. His book was called Chang  Tzu and is another one of Taoism greatest books.

Taoists like Confucians believed in the innate goodness and benevolent disposition of the human race and rejected the Christian notion of original sin. The Taoists believe that humankind could live in peace and harmony with each other and that there was no need for government interference.  The Taoists also were inclined towards nature and they believed that everything in the universe changed and one should change and adapt accordingly.

Taoism was born at a time when China was ruled by feudal lords and the system was becoming increasingly bureaucratic and that was the beginning of the codification of law.  They placed utmost importance on respecting human beings and their belief was that every person knew his place in society and that unnecessary interference by a government would only worsen things. This conflict between those who interfere and those who wish to be left to their means has continued ever since with Taoist followers believing in the ability of man to live in harmony and peacefully, thus making government interference unnecessary.

On the basis of importance and supremacy Tao gods are divided into two classes: gods of the Prior Heavens and those of the Posterior Heavens and the former are at the top of the hierarchy of Taoist gods. The Three Pure Ones who form a part of the Prior Heavens are excluded from change and represent the mystical sources of life, primordial breath and the blessings in the world of the Posterior Heavens.

The gods of the Posterior Heavens are more commonly worshipped by Taoists and they are prayed to in times of change. When change occurs they again are divided into three categories: those of heaven, those of the world of nature and man and those of the underworld hidden beneath the oceans.

These three categories or parts of the visible world are greatly influenced by the change of seasons and by the complementary relationship and interaction of ying and yang which form the basis of the religion of Tao. In addition to the Three Pure Ones there are a huge number of Taoist gods. In fact the number of gods in this religion is comparable to the size of the pantheon of Hindu gods & goddesses. Each of the gods has a different role to play including that of safeguarding the people, writing literature to be followed by Taoists and there are goddesses of fertility and immortality, the gods of wealth and culture, the god to drive away spirits and the and the gods who are warriors and the one who credited martial arts.

Unlike most religions in the world, Taoism is one of the rare breed of religions who has a deity to lead and safeguard the people in almost every sphere of life.

Another very popular but comparatively lesser known author is Chang Tzu. Two of his books, The way of Chang Tzu and Inner Chapters have gained wide recognition in the world.

Taoism has certain principle and based on these principles gives us a way of seeing and understanding reality. The belief that there is life in every organic thing and that it has energy is the basis of all Tao writings.

The most popular book on Tao philosophy is the Tao te Ching written by Lao Tzu and is the fundamental book of Tao philosophy. It also happens to be the third most translated book after the Bible and the Bhagwad Gita. There are many speculations about this book some being that the book was written by a number of people and compiled over 800 years and that Lao Tzu never existed and that it was just a name used by the people who wished to remain anonymous.

Some sources say that there is a core teaching which is only a few lines and that the same teaching is expanded in chapters in the book. There is a lot of mystery about this book. It is said that the book was not written on a scroll but on strips of bamboo which led to some confusion.

Many scholars believe that only the first seventy sections of the Tao te Ching were written originally and the rest were added a hundred years later. This is believed because the first part talks about the state in a positive way while the rest speaks about it with discontent.

The confusion surrounding the book has made not affected its popularity and the philosophy of the religion of Taoism has appealed to thousands around the world and more and more people are adopting it, especially in the United States of America.