Tao Symbol

Tao symbol is also known as the yin yang symbol or Taijitu. Tao is pronounced as Dow and is also spelled as Dao.

It's important to understand the philosophy that the Tao symbol represents.

Lao Tzu, the keeper of the Imperial Library from ancient times in China was considered the wisest man during his time. As a very learned man, Tzu understood the coming changes shaping up in his country's government and decided to escape into the country. Before he could get through the palace gates, he was stopped by a guard, who insisted that Tzu write down his ideals and philosophy to preserve as a legacy for future generations. These writings became the foundation of Taoism.

The word Tao means the path or way. Tao is referred to as the nameless because words cannot fully speak of its magnitude. "The Tao that can be explained with words is not the Tao," is a quote from Tzu's writings. A Taoist understands that the more she or he learns the less she or he knows. The Tao governs all things, all life and a Taoist has learned to create inner harmony to join as one with the Tao. The Tao created heaven and earth.

Taoism teaches that while you cannot fully express the concept or fullness of the Tao, you certainly can understand what it is and recognize its essence. You can also learn to follow the principles that the Tao embodies.

Tao is perfection and unity. The natural state and order of Tao is harmony. Chi is the physical manifestation of the Tao. Its expression is found within the yin and yang of life. These two energies are the positive and negative of chi energy. The Tao concept grew and eventually evolved into the religion of Taoism. These teachings explain that since Tao is infinite and indefinable it cannot be controlled by anyone or anything.

The yin yang, two opposite energies of chi energy exists in everything. Since chi is the life force for all living matter, these two opposite energies of yin and yang come together to create a continuous energy exchange. This makes yin and yang dependent upon each other. This action and reaction is infinite just as the Tao is infinite.

The chi energy is the essence of Tao and becomes the energy governing the natural flow of life. Taoism philosophizes that every action creates an opposite reaction and the only way to be in harmony with this process is through an acceptance of all things. This also brings about an awareness that you cannot control life. To truly be in harmony with the Tao, you must learn to go with the flow of life. One of the Tao truisms is, "Be still like a mountain and flow like a great river."

While the Tao symbol is probably better known as the yin yang symbol, the encircled symbol represents the never-ending energy of chi, which is the concept of infinity. The Tao circle is divided into two halves, only the halves are stylized teardrops. The teardrop shapes are curved and placed within the circle in a clockwise pattern that symbolizes constant motion. One shape is black and the other is white. The right side (yin) is black and descends with the large bulb of the teardrop at the bottom. The left side (yang) is white and ascends with the bulb shape at the top half of the circle. The two shapes move in a clockwise motion.

The white, yang (male) stands for enlightenment while the black, yin (female), represents delusion. Within each of the bulb part of the teardrop is a smaller circle that is the opposite color of the teardrop. This dot is within the teardrop to remind you that as in life, the each side of the Tao symbol is dependent upon the other. All things are connected and cannot exist without the other.

Some believe that the teardrops are an abstract depiction of two fish and the dots are in fact, eyes since fish are spiritual symbols in the Chinese culture. Fish are the perfect Tao symbol because a fish's eyes never close, making it all seeing and therefore, a spiritual creature.

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