Taoism (also known as Daoism) is a Chinese philosophy attributed to Lao Tzu (c. 500 BCE) which developed from the folk religion of the people primarily in the rural areas of China and became the official religion of the country under the Tang Dynasty. Taoism is therefore both a philosophy and a religion.
More about: TaoismDefinition
Timeline
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1600 BCE - 1046 BCETaoism develops during the Shang Dynasty.
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618 CE - 907 CETang Dynasty, Taoism flourishes.
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712 CE - 756 CETaoism becomes official religion of China under the Emperor Xuanzong.
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c. 756 CE - c. 907 CETaoism loses popular support with the decline of the Tang Dynasty. Replaced by Confucianism and Buddhism.
