SACRED SYMBOLS
Types of symbols
Taoism contains numerous symbols which are used in both everyday life and sacred rituals. The symbols in Taoism are used to refer to supernatural powers that control or represent human existence and life. The most famous of these symbols are listed below;
The Yin-Yang (meaning “shady side” and “sunny side”) is one of the most famous symbols represented in Taoism. The meaning behind the symbol is that the colours, black and white, are complementary forces (rather than opposing forces). This symbol represents how nothing is completely yin or yang and are interdependent on each other, such as, night and day or life and death. The interactions of the yin and yang are thought to influence the destinies of creatures and things. Yin-Yang is a symbol that appears throughout Taoist rituals and objects.
The Wuji is a simple, hollow circle symbol. This symbol represents a great void that existed in the beginning of the universe which was beyond space and time. The Wuji can also be known as ‘the emptiness’ or ‘the undefinable’.
The Eight Trigrams are eight symbols derived from the yin and yang. Each symbol is simply a series of strokes that represent different things. The Eight Trigrams are listed below on the left;
- Yin-Yang (Taijitu)
- Wuji
- Eight Trigrams
- The Seven bright stars of Ursa Major (The Big Dipper)
The Yin-Yang (meaning “shady side” and “sunny side”) is one of the most famous symbols represented in Taoism. The meaning behind the symbol is that the colours, black and white, are complementary forces (rather than opposing forces). This symbol represents how nothing is completely yin or yang and are interdependent on each other, such as, night and day or life and death. The interactions of the yin and yang are thought to influence the destinies of creatures and things. Yin-Yang is a symbol that appears throughout Taoist rituals and objects.
The Wuji is a simple, hollow circle symbol. This symbol represents a great void that existed in the beginning of the universe which was beyond space and time. The Wuji can also be known as ‘the emptiness’ or ‘the undefinable’.
The Eight Trigrams are eight symbols derived from the yin and yang. Each symbol is simply a series of strokes that represent different things. The Eight Trigrams are listed below on the left;
The Big Dipper is thought to affect people’s daily lives in Taoist faith. Taoists see the Big Dipper as an object that affects human life, the theory is that the Big Dipper changes ones energy field which can affect ones luck patterns or influences. These stars influence; ones will, wants, demands, motivation toward goal, vision, investment, living environment, career, decision making, wisdom, friends, literacy, logic, mind, bad luck, changes, physical improvement, energy, destruction, removal, money, business and finance, parties, interpersonal skills and even love.