Taoism in China

"Chief Star pointing the Dipper" 魁星点斗 Kuíxīng diǎn Dòu
Kuixing ("Chief Star"), the god of exams, composed of the characters describing the four Confucian virtues (Sìde 四德), standing on the head of the ao (鰲) turtle (an expression for coming first in the examinations), and pointing at the Big Dipper (斗)".

Religion in China (CGSS's average 2012)

China has long been a cradle and host to a variety of the most enduring religio-philosophical traditions of the world. Confucianism and Taoism, later joined by Buddhism, constitute the "three teachings" that historically have shaped Chinese culture. There are no clear boundaries between these intertwined religious systems, which do not claim to be exclusive, and elements of each enrich popular or folk religion. The emperors of China claimed the Mandate of Heaven and participated in Chinese religious practices. Since 1949, China has been governed by the Communist Party of China, an atheist institution that prohibits party members from practicing religion while in office. Religious movements and institutions were first placed under government control, then during the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) suppressed. Under following leaders, religious organisations were given more autonomy. The government formally recognises five religious doctrines: Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Protestantism, and Catholicism (though enforcing a separation of the Chinese Catholic Church from the Roman Catholic Church). In the early twenty-first century there has been increasing institutional recognition of Confucianism and Chinese folk religion.

Folk or popular religion, the most widespread system of beliefs and practices, has evolved and adapted since at least the Shang and Zhou dynasties. During this Axial Age fundamental elements of a theology and spiritual explanation for the nature of the universe emerged. Basically, it consists in allegiance to the shen (神), a character that signifies a variety of gods and immortals, who can be deities of the natural environment or ancestral principles of human groups, concepts of civility, culture heroes, many of whom feature in Chinese mythology and history. Confucian philosophy and religious practice developed during the later Zhou; Taoist institutionalised religions developed by the Han dynasty; Buddhist practice and institutions soon followed; and a range of sects and local cults thrived. Among widespread cults, some officially promoted in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, are those of Mazu (goddess of the seas), the Yellow Emperor (promoted as the progenitor of the Chinese race), Guandi (god of war and business), Caishen (god of prosperity and richness), Pangu and others. At the same time, China is often considered a home to humanist and secularist, this-worldly thought beginning in the time of Confucius. Chinese Buddhism has developed since the 1st century (Han dynasty), significantly influenced the aboriginal religion, and retains a great influence in modern China.

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