- Taoism or Daoism (/ˈtaʊɪzəm/ or /ˈdaʊɪzəm/) refers to a set of Chinese traditions and religions which emphasize living in harmony with the Tao (Chinese: 道; pinyin: Dào; Wade–Giles: Tao; lit. ‘Way’, ‘Path’). The Tao is generally defined as the source of everything and the ultimate principle underlying reality. The Tao Te Ching and the Zhuangzi are widely considered key Taoist texts.