The Way of nature and balance
Taoism (also spelled Daoism) is an ancient Chinese tradition built around living in harmony with the TAO — the Way — and this word search gathers its key words. You'll be finding the TAO (or DAO) itself, the founder LAOZI, the philosopher ZHUANGZI, and the famous balance of YIN and YANG.
Each puzzle pulls a fresh selection from the list, so the words change every time you play — gentle on Easy, and a longer-word challenge once the diagonals and backwards words appear on Hard.
Going with the flow
Taoism teaches a gentle, natural way of living, and the words are here. There's the idea of WUWEI (effortless action) and going with the FLOW, living in HARMONY and BALANCE with NATURE, and valuing SIMPLICITY, VIRTUE and WISDOM. You'll also find the BAGUA symbol, the flow of ENERGY, the calm of MEDITATION, the wise SAGE on the PATH, the TEMPLE where Taoists worship, and the search for becoming an IMMORTAL in HEAVEN.
The wisdom of the Way
Taoism grew up in ancient China more than 2,000 years ago, and its name says it all: 'TAO' means 'the Way'. Its key text, traditionally linked to the sage LAOZI, teaches that the universe flows in a natural order, and that we're happiest when we stop struggling against it and live simply and gently instead. Its most famous idea is WUWEI — often translated as 'effortless action', a bit like a swimmer going with the current rather than fighting it.
You've almost certainly seen one Taoist symbol already: the YIN and YANG, the swirling black-and-white circle showing how opposites — dark and light, rest and action — balance and need each other. This idea of HARMONY and BALANCE has flowed far beyond Taoism into Chinese medicine, martial arts and the idea of life ENERGY (qi). Calm, thoughtful and tied closely to NATURE, Taoism makes a peaceful and interesting RE or world-religions topic.
Great for a world-religions topic
It's a great fit for an RE or world-religions lesson — Easy mode keeps the grid small with no diagonals or reverse words. Play online, print a PDF pack, or use Make Your Own to build a grid from your own RE words.
Frequently asked questions
What's in the Taoism word search?
Key words of Taoism — the Tao (the Way), yin and yang, the founder Laozi and the philosopher Zhuangzi, plus ideas like wuwei, harmony, balance, simplicity and living in tune with nature. Each puzzle uses a fresh mix.
Which Taoist ideas can you find?
The TAO (or DAO, the Way), YIN and YANG, the founder LAOZI and philosopher ZHUANGZI, plus ideas like WUWEI (effortless action), HARMONY, BALANCE, SIMPLICITY and living in tune with NATURE.
Is it good for a world-religions topic?
Great fit for an RE or world-religions lesson. Easy mode keeps the grid small with no diagonals or reverse words.