Syncretization

The Chinese culture is in no way monochromatic; nor is it polarized in its factions. The Chinese culture has a long history of taking complementary schools of thought and combining them in singular modes of living. Syncretization is when two or more ideas or idea systems are combined in this way. As with the yin and yang, Taoism and Confucuianism complement each other in that Confucianism provides structure in society and Taoism provides abstraction in thought.

This combination was made in part by the two religion/philosophies sharing the same backgrounds and the same time of inception. Both build upon the pillars of early Chinese thought and both were geared toward improving the lifestyle and intellect of the citizen. The story of Lao Tzu and Confucius meeting one another is important in the fact that both were destined to solve China's woes in two starkly opposite manners.

China's assimilative culture has gathered many bits and pieces from the ages and today and has formulated a varied national religion for indigenous Chinese. While the religions of Confuciansim, Taosim and Buddhism are steeped in philosophical rhetoric, the common Chinese person usually experiences religion through local traditions. These local traditions include ancestor veneration, superstition, the balance of chi, etc, most of which stem back from the ancient religions said above. As Western Churches and Synagogues and Temples bring God down to man, these religions of locality bring the ideals of Chinese Philosophy down to the people.