Marginal And Attribution: Cultural History Of Taoist Identity

Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism coexist and interact, and constitute the essence of the traditional Chinese culture. With its values, Taoism strives to tend to be the core of the culture but is sometimes on the edge of the culture. It not only refers to being on the edge of mainstream but also to being at the periphery of geographical, historical and psychological elements. Due to the various forms of Taoism, it is difficult for us to understand its extension accurately. Historians find it varied and diversified. The elements of Taoism tend to be marginalization or tendency to different directions in Chinese culture, which shows the flexibility and mobility of its crowd. The flexibility and mobility of crowds is based on identity, including individual identity in groups, group identity and identity with other groups. Besides self-identity, identity by others is also included. Though it is numerous and complicated, we can analyze the in-group and intergroup of Taoism by historical documents and explore and generalize its self-identity on every level and different directions of identity and analyze the reasons. In the course of study, identity theory can be confirmed and modified. For example, "status"’and "identity" can be further subdivided in Chinese. And "marginalization" needs detailed definition. The words in the thesis, marginalization or tendency to different directions, are not ethical. They are only the expression of cultural identity in Taoism.Taoism with thousands of years’history in China, though not always in a dominant position, includes the elements and requirements of Chinese culture system. The identities in Taoism meet the cultural requirements at different levels. Marginalization, with its distinctive features, developed with the self-awareness in Taoism. Being at the periphery partly aroused the recognition of ethnical minorities, which makes Taoism been accepted easily. The marginalization of Taoism doesn’t mean splitting, while it helps with its attribution. So the ethnic minorities reach the identity of Chinese culture in recognition of Taoism. Taoism is firmly rooted in traditional Chinese culture and naturally has the attribution of central limit. Traditional Chinese culture fed Taoism and provided a platform for it in the course of cultural development. Its attribution of tendency mainly means incorporation of original religions or beliefs and Confucianism and its contribution to civil society. The introduction and development of foreign religions, like Buddhism, is one of the important stimulating factors that enable Taoism to identify its nature and attributions.Marginalization and tendency are the two opposite sides but also united harmonious, just like yin and yang in Book of Changes, contradiction and unity. According to Taoism, there are tensions and resultant forces in different directions. Individuality and freedom at the periphery is an essential prerequisite of central limit in Taoism, and its cultural identity enriches its connotation rather than weakening its marginalization. The status and identity of Taoism is by no means monism, they are multiple. Taoism, as its name suggesting, can embrace the identities of different directions. Among its relaxed identities, there is a common core that is beyond the earthly bound and for the eternal life. That is the highest and most critical level of Taoism identity which cannot be found in mainstream. So it is at the periphery. However, some individual parts of the mainstream can accept the pursuit of Taoism. It reflects that Taoism is not isolated or separated in traditional culture and it embraces and integrates different cultures.Therefore, the external manifestations of the variety and diversity of Taoism are marginalization and tendency to different directions. And there is a deep logic in its identity system. To start with identity theory, it provides reference and experience for answering the question of what is Taoism.