The three main religions of China are Buddhism (see the chapter on Buddhist symbols), Confucianism, and Taoism. Confucius is the Latinized form of K’ung Ch’iu. He was a man born in 551 b.c.e., in what is now the province of Shantung. He was a contemporary of Buddha and died in 479 b.c.e. He was a great teacher, traveled a lot, and was instrumental in collecting together the Chinese classical writings that became the basis of a religious movement named after him. Taoism is attributed to Lao Tse, who was born before K’ung Ch’iu, in 604 b.c.e. He was the author of a book known as the Tao Te Ching, or Book of the Way, which seeks to discover unchanging reality and preaches humility and pacifism.
Many of the Chinese symbols are found in the tools of Feng Shui (pronounced “Fung Shway”): the arrangement of things for the greatest harmony. Others, such as the pictogram for the sky, are more general symbols.
Shou (symbol of long life)
Chinese script symbol for the sky
Ch’i (living energy)
Yin
Yang
Pa Kua of the Later Heaven
Double Wheel, representing infinity; earth’s eternal cycles of life
The Five Elements
Earth Element
Fire Element
Metal Element
Water Element
Wood Element
The Four Celestial Animals
Green Dragon (abundance and prosperity)
White Tiger (protection)
Crimson Phoenix (opportunity)
Black Turtle (support)