Taoism and Confucianism are both ideological systems and religious beliefs that grew up in the soil of China. Although there are contradictions and struggles between Taoism and Confucianism, they are more of a combination. Taoism has exerted great influence on Confucianism in philosophy, self-cultivation, health preservation and religious morality. The emergence of Neo-Confucianism in Song and Ming Dynasties is a concentrated expression. Zhou Dunyi, a Neo-Confucianist in the Northern Song Dynasty, wrote Taiji Illustration, which marked the formation of the basic works of Neo-Confucianism. The part about "map" in "Illustration of Taiji" comes directly from the "infinite map" sent by Chen Tuan. The part that discusses the origin and evolution of the universe, the good and evil of human nature and self-cultivation is also based on Taoist thought. Since then, Shao Yong, Er Cheng, Zhu, Wu Yubi, Wang Yangming and others in the Ming Dynasty have been deeply influenced by Taoism, which has given Neo-Confucianism a strong Taoist color.
Taoism has influenced literature in many ways. Taoism has kept a large number of fairy tales and folklore, and Taoism itself has also created many fairy tales. The beautiful paradise, elegant characters, magical spells and extraordinary imagination constructed by these fairy tales have greatly expanded the field of time and space, enriched the performance content of classical literature, strengthened the performance color of romanticism and given people great aesthetic enjoyment. Taoism is good at pinning its ideals with poems and songs, and it also deeply affects the creation of classical poems. During the Six Dynasties, a large number of "immortal poems" describing the rise of immortals and "immortal poems" describing the life of immortals appeared. Li Bai and Li He, poets in the Tang Dynasty, were deeply influenced by Taoist thought and were good at depicting supernatural realm with romanticism. The extraordinary imagination of Taoism provides rich materials for the creation of classical novels. The novels of the Six Dynasties and the novels of the Ming and Qing Dynasties are the products of Taoist influence. Novels such as Water Margin, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, The Journey to the West and A Dream of Red Mansions all have a strong Taoist color. As for Strange Tales from a Lonely Studio, it is a typical work that does not deviate from Taoism in style and content.
Taoist thought has had a far-reaching impact on many art categories. The mysterious way of painting symbols, the changing form of symbols and their abstract meaning give cursive script important enlightenment. Taoism attaches great importance to painting to publicize its thoughts and teachings. Large murals are painted in some important places in Taoism, which mostly reflect the grandeur of Taoist architecture, the tranquility of immortal life and the story of Taoist immortal. Taoist content has become an important painting material for painters, such as the Queen Mother, Ma Gu and the Eight Immortals. Taoism's pursuit of "harmony between man and nature" and lofty and indifferent artistic conception also promoted the creation of landscape paintings in Song and Yuan Dynasties. Taoist music widely absorbs palace music, folk music and other components, forming rich and colorful music content and complex and diverse playing methods, which has become the treasure of Chinese classical music.
Taoism pursues immortality and attaches importance to the cultivation of internal and external alchemy, which has had an important impact on ancient science and technology and sports. Many Taoist priests in ancient times were familiar with medical ethics, including Ge Hong. Tao Hongjing, Sun Simiao and others were outstanding physicians in ancient China and made great contributions to the development of traditional Chinese medicine. The need of health care promotes the development of preventive medicine, and effective therapies such as qigong, guidance, diet therapy and exercise all come from this. The practice of Taoist alchemy, knowing the characteristics of many minerals and the chemical combination process of substances, produced China's chemistry, and the invention of gunpowder was related to this. Taoism is closely related to folk customs. The gods worshipped by Taoism, such as Leigong, Fengbo, Guandi, Wenchang, Door God, Kitchen God, Town God, Land, Mazu, Yaowang, etc. After being absorbed and reformed by Taoism, it has become the most important sacrificial object for the people. In addition, Taoism itself has created some unique gods, such as the god of wealth, which are also respected by the people and have evolved into a folk custom and become a unique content of folk life. Taoism is good at playing magic to deify its teachings. These spells, combined with folk witchcraft, have a great influence on folk life. Such as begging for rain, treating diseases, praying for visas, and dreaming. Until today, it is still superstitious by some people. Taoism has an important influence on various festivals and folk activities. The Spring Festival is the biggest traditional festival in China, which is related to Taoism, such as worshipping the kitchen god, sticking doors to the gods, putting up peach charms (later Spring Festival couplets), setting off firecrackers and visiting temple fairs. The formation of various folk customs centered on Taoist places and contents has secularized Taoism, narrowed the relationship with ordinary people and made people unconsciously accept the baptism of religion. These entertainment-oriented folk activities have greatly enriched folk life and brought them great happiness.