Elementary Study On Women Daoists In Tang Dynasty

Women in Daoism in Tang Dynasty have been researched from the religious sociology, in order to improve the interpretation of Women' History in China. From their statuses, Women Daoists in Tang Dynasty can be divided into the civilians, the harems, the gifted, the artisans and so on. They became Daoist for different reasons. Some were in pursuit of the long live, such as Xie Ziran and princess Yuzhen; some evaded the misfortunes they did not want, including political marriage, and princess Taiping was a typical case; some just earned a livelihood and at the same time they got a life with less constraints, such a Yu Xuanji and many maids; some changed their status in common customs, such as Yang Yuhuan; also some just prayed good luck for their elders or their countries. Women Daoists had various life styles. Not only religious methods were practiced, they also practiced medicine, writing poems and had much relationship with the contemporary society.Women Daoists flourished in Tang Dynasty because of its special time background. The civilians were the major but the harems and the gifted were typical with time features. Women Daoists in temples were exceptional in Daoism history and had a special impact on Tang Dynasty Culture. Women Daoists were excellent in writing, medicine and so on. Their existence itself was a kind of culture; Nvguanzi came in to being at that time as a ci-poem tune. Their creation displayed their ability and contribution, kept unusual record in Chinese Women' History, and expressed their pursuits and endeavors which has been record in history forever.