The Rise and Spread of Taoism in Hainan

In Hainan, Taoism made its first appearance in the Tang dynasty and thrived in the Song and Yuan dynasties. In the Song and Yuan dynasties, Taoist temples were erected in counties across Hainan, thus having led to the emergence of a host of renowned Taoists and of famous mountains and scenic spots. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Taoism came to be popular among populace, and more Taoist temples were built at townships and Taoism was inculcated among the populace. Consequentially, geomantic pagodas were set up either at hilltops or roadsides and polytheistic worship was widespread among people. Since the modern times, Taoism has become secularized in Hainan with the result that Taoism is practiced nearly everywhere and has been imparted to regions inhabited by minority nationalities. In the Song dynasty, people in Hainan tended to believe in Shen Xiao School and Jin Dan School of Taoism while Feng Zheng School has been upheld chiefly since the Yuan dynasty.