道教
Dào jiào · HSK 6
Daoism
☯️ 道 = the Way + 教 = teaching; literally the teaching of the Way
道 (dào) means path or way; 教 (jiào) means teaching or doctrine. Together: the doctrine of the Dao, Laozi's philosophy of harmony with nature. Same 教 appears in 佛教 (Buddhism) and 基督教 (Christianity).
道 — 辶 (walk) + 首 (head)
Originally a compound of 辶 'walk/movement' and 首 'head', depicting a path one walks while looking ahead. The literal sense 'road, way' extended metaphorically to 'method, doctrine, the Way (Dao)'. This philosophical meaning became central in Daoist and Confucian thought.
教 — 老 (filial son being taught) + 攵 (hand with stick)
教 originally depicted an adult holding a stick or rod (攵) instructing a child, often shown with the element 爻 (lessons/counting) above 子 (child). It is a classic associative compound meaning 'to teach' or 'to instruct,' with the right side suggesting discipline and guidance. The modern meanings 'teach, religion, doctrine' all extend from this image of formal instruction.