We Are Family Female Daoists, Their Institutions, and the State

Authors

Megan Holm, Brigham Young University

Keywords

Daoism, Tang Dynasty, Role of Women, Daoist institutions

Abstract

During the Tang Dynasty, Daoism put a measure of holiness on princesses who would not marry, consorts who meddled in state affairs, royal widows who would not completely retire, and maidens who would not marry. These seemingly subversive women were reincorporated into society through Daoism, and at the same time were allowed an incredible amount of personal autonomy. The freedom of Tang society enabled women to become Daoist adepts and nuns, whether seriously or in name only, within Daoist institutions that served as their new family structure.

Recommended Citation

Holm, Megan (2005) "We Are Family Female Daoists, Their Institutions, and the State," The Thetean: A Student Journal for Scholarly Historical Writing: Vol. 34: Iss. 1, Article 6.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/thetean/vol34/iss1/6