A study of the ‘imagetexts’ of the Daoist visual culture, signifying the tripartite realms of Heaven, Human, Earth

Abstract

This is a study of Imagetexts in Daoism visual culture, signifying the structure of the cosmos in a corresponding relationship with one other. By structure of the cosmos, I will be looking at the tripartite realms of existence, namely Heaven, Earth and Human as the three forces that are unified in the Dao.

Text-oriented designs such as sacred charts, which have aniconic, and power-evoking symbolism will be used to analyze the correspondence of the universal forces—Heaven, Earth and Human. Through my findings, I will arrive at how these forces mirror each other and move in a microcosmic/macrocosmic orbit with Humans at the center, being the trigger to seek balance and harmony or cause disharmony and discord with the other realms.