Taoism is an ancient tradition of philosophy and religious belief that is rooted in Chinese customs and world outlook. It is also sometimes referred to as Daoism.
   Taoism is about the Tao. This is can be translated as 'the Way'. But it's not easy to define exactly the meaning of Tao. The Tao is the ultimate creative principle of the universe and all things are unified and connected within the Tao.

• Taoism began in China around 2000 years ago.
• Taoism is concerned with unity and opposites. The principle of Yin Yang sees the world as filled with complementary forces - action and non-action, light and dark, hot and cold, etc.
• The Tao is not a God and is not worshiped as such. Taoism does, however, include many various deities, that are worshiped in temples. These deities are part of the universe and depend on the Tao like everything else.
  
• Taoism promotes:
  • achieving harmony and union with the natural world
    
  • the pursuit of spiritual immortality
  • being of virtue
    
  • development of the self
    
• Taoist practices include:
  • meditation
  • feng shui
  • fortune telling
  • the reading and chanting of scriptures

   Taoism was one of the most revered religions in China before the communist revolution around 50 years ago. However, a campaign to destroy non-Communist religion ensued reducing the number of its followers significantly.