The origin of Taoism in China?

Taoism is an inherent religion in China with a history of 1800 years. It is closely linked with the local culture of China, deeply rooted in the fertile soil of China, and has distinctive China characteristics, which has a far-reaching impact on all levels of China culture. Taoism is a traditional religion that originated in ancient China. It is a primitive religious form of polytheism and worships many gods. Its main purpose is to pursue enlightenment and help the world, with Laozi's Tao Te Ching as the main classic. It not only occupies an important position in China's traditional culture, but also has a certain influence on the modern world. Although Taoism was one of the schools of thought contending during the Warring States Period, cults did not appear until after the Han Dynasty. Its individual factions deify former moral philosophers and worship Laozi as moral gods. By the Southern and Northern Dynasties, the religious form of Taoism was gradually improved. Taoism takes "Tao" as its highest belief, and holds that "Tao" is the source of all things in the metaplasia universe. In the traditional culture of China, Taoism (including Taoism, witchcraft, etc. ) is considered to be the dominant theory together with Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism, and it is a method to seek related practice and cultivate immortality. There are five main ways for Taoism to become immortal, namely, taking elixir of life, external alchemy, refining qi to lead the way, practicing inner alchemy, using Taoist utensils and other rituals and self-cultivation to achieve immortality. Most of the later immortals practiced inner alchemy and practiced morality and Taoism.

Taoism is a native religion in China, which was formed after a long historical development. The worship of nature and ghosts and gods can be traced back to primitive times. Primitive religion evolved from the earliest divination of communication between man and god to the worship of heaven and ancestors in Yin and Zhou Dynasties. By the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, ancient religions had undergone remarkable rational evolution, which was different from social and cultural knowledge. In the contention of a hundred schools of thought, Taoism, Confucianism and Mohism are "outstanding people", and the rise of Yin-Yang School and Fairy School at that time had a certain influence in history. By the end of the Han Dynasty, because of the war and the collapse of the Han Dynasty, there was an urgent need for religion, so Confucianism gradually became religious and Buddhism was introduced at this time. In this social background, the comprehensive traditional worship of ghosts and gods, immortal thoughts and magic numbers of yin and yang finally merged with the ideological trend advocated by Huang Lao in Han Dynasty. Taoist schools were also formed at this time. The history of Taoism can be roughly divided into four periods: the origin of Han, Wei and Jin Dynasties, the prosperity of Tang and Song Dynasties, the rise of Quanzhen religion in Yuan and Ming Dynasties and the decline after Qing Dynasty.