Taoists were represented in art as scholars, sages, heroes, officials and priests When these images are taken out of context they are very difficult to identify so we use the term Taoist to signify an Official, Priest or sage. A Taoist priest is called a daoshi (道士 “master of the Tao”) a moniker for a monk, official or master or sometimes even referred to as shaman. Ming and Qing images of Taoists can often be identified by their formal attire for ritual ceremonies or state occasions consisting of a long-sleeved black garment with white piping and a black formal hat (guan). Carvings of Taoist priests often appear on home altars many bearing Taoist symbols such as cups with elixirs of immortality, taels of silver or gold for wealth, with their hands in ritualistic positions sometimes covered by ritual cloth. They often carried long slender Hu or audience tablets as ritual objects indicating they were in the presence of a Taoist deity. Women were Taoist priests soon after its inception and there are many legends about Taoist female deities as well. Taoism is very compatible with feminine characteristics including modesty, softness, yielding to the Tao, and non-aggression. Some schools admired their ability to communicate with deities, and the Tang Dynasty was the zenith for Taoist women who numbered one-third of the Shangqing School clergy. Taoist priests were in charge of protecting people against evil spirits in this life while Buddhist monks were in charge of looking after souls in the next life, and images of them on home altars represented a wish to ward off malevolent spirits and bad luck.
Showing all 12 results
This extremely rare late Ming/early Qing dynasty antique-Chinese-wood-carving carving is divided in two parts and is significant for its juxtaposition of images as well as its unique iconography. The top is one of the Taoist officials in typical officials-attire: an official’s hat, a tiered robe with a red sash extending to the tops of the…
Taoist images were represented as scholars, sages, heroes, officials and priests. Taken out of context, it is almost impossible to specifically identify individual images but given certain features and symbols: air of solemnity and importance, static pose, officials attire with round collar, and elaborate hat, this is is probably a Taoist official. Seated on a…
Taoists were represented in art as scholars, sages, heroes, officials and priests When these images are taken out of context they are very difficult to identify so we use the term Taoist to signify an Official, Priest or sage. Taoist priests are called a daoshi (道士 “master of the Tao”) a moniker for Taoist priests,…
The Eight Immortals are folk heroes with supernatural powers who achieved immortality and became Taoist deities. They were probably actual people who were granted extraordinary powers after death. Since the 13th century they have been viewed as a fun loving group living in heavenly mountains and hills enjoying good food, wine, gambling and the opposite…
This Nanhai Guanyin sits in her cave home on the island of Putuo represented by pierced openwork, craggy surfaces and open area at the cave top. Guanyin’s image almost fills the cave’s opening seated in dhyana (meditation), thumbs forming a triangle symbolizing the triratna, the Three Gems of Buddhism (the Buddha, the Dharma (Buddha’s teachings)…
Taoist images were represented as scholars, sages, heroes, deities, officials and priests. When these images are taken out of context they are very difficult to identify so we describe them in generic terms as a Taoist Officials, Priests or Deities. We identify this image an Official since he holds a hu-tablet associated with officials and…
Taoist images were represented as scholars, sages, heroes, deities, officials and priests. When these images are taken out of context they are difficult to identify so we describe them in generic terms. Seated on a backless chair wearing long flowing officials-robes with deep folds, we use the terms officials/priests for this image, since he his…
Likely a Taoist official, this carving holds a cup holding an elixir that reputedly would confer to those commissioning the image it a long and healthful life. Discovering elixirs of life that might confer immortality was a motivating belief in Taoism and during Ming and Qing dynasties small images of Taoist officials and priests often…
When ancestral images are taken out of context they are very difficult to identify so we describe them in generic terms as a Chinese Officials or Taoist Officials. This antique-Chinese-wood-carving may represent the noted historical figure the principal regent Dorgon of the first Qing Emperor Shunzhi who ruled from 1643-1650 as a”quasi” emperor based on…
Images of Taoist priests were often placed on a home altar along with other spiritual images, ancestral tablets and ancestor figures to honor the departed family members, practice familial piety and ancestor-worship, and request good fortune to the family dwelling and its household. Priests were called daoshi (道士 “master of the Tao”) identified by his…
This image from Guandong wears typical Taoist priest or shaman attire – an undergarment crossed at the neck, an overcoat clasped at the waist and a double-winged high hat centered with an image of a taotie. The taotie is a mystical animal sometimes on the hat of Taoist priests or shamans as a guardian or…
The end of Guandi’s name (di) is significant, as Chinese names ending with di refer to an imperial cult and their canonized status. A military general late in the Han dynasty who died in 220AD, he was deified during the MIng in 1594 and was declared The God of War and Justice and Protector of…
End of content
End of content