The Chinese Symbol of Accepting Change

By: Kadence Buchanan
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:24:52
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Tao or Dao is a Chinese character that refers to a pivotal feature of Chinese philosophy and religion. One of its most generic translations is that of "the way" or "head path." Those who have studied its meaning, place it in a variety of concepts, like that of religion, knowledge, rationality, morality, duty or truth. Central component of Taoism, T?ij?t?, which is the black and white symbol of Tao, is considered to convey the fundamental force of nature, or the "noble way" of personal conduct in life. From its discourse as the "Great Tao" or the guiding principle behind all universal processes, Tao extends beyond being and non-being and is considered to transcend the boarders of space and time.

The all-present Tao is the intelligent ordering principle behind the unceasing flow of change in the natural world. In fact, Tao has gained its great significance within its believers as being another theistic representation of the Greek concept of logos or better stated that of God. Tao is the essence of reality and the understanding of change. In fact, many consider it impossible to describe it and concentrate on feeling and observing its different meanings. Its two colors represent antithesis and conjunction, as black is considered to be the absence of light, while white represents the light in all its states. For Chinese philosophers, the black represents the yin or feminine principle, while the white represents the yang or masculine principle. In essence, Tao is the relation between these two opposite but nevertheless complementary principles. Consequently, Tao is the flow of energy in any living object and symbolizes the way in which these two principles behave in life. With the two opposite colored dots inside each complementary feature of the t?ij?t? image, Chinese reveal the fact that within Yin there is a little of Yang; the white dot inside the black portion of the symbol and reversely. Some argue that this represents the love Yin and Yang feel for each other and thus they enter each other's spheres and interact with each other's nature.

Yet, the concept of Tao and Taoism or "school of the Way" in Chinese philosophy, which is considered a religion focusing on the goal of attaining Tao, is based upon the understanding that the only universally accepted constant is that of change. Moreover, t?ij?t? represents the constant human battle of understanding this change and entering a stage of harmony and fulfillment. This potential into actual process is symbolized by the circle in which the yin yang components are flowing. Discussed in the Tao Te Ching, an ancient Chinese text attributed to Lao Tsu, the nature and meaning of the Tao, along with those of Confucius and Mencius, have a far-reaching effect on the intellectual, moral and religious life of the Chinese people. In fact, due to its wide scope of usage and meaning, Tao has become part of contemporary culture and has entered the Western lifestyle as a symbol of purity, truth and the realization of ongoing change in life.

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