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The Yin-centered philosophy in the Daodejing

Based on the conceptual metaphors of dao

ORCiD logo with link | National University of Defense Technology | Hunan Normal University
Published online: 5 September 2025
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/rcl.00229.zha
Abstract
This research examines the philosophical foundations of the Daodejing and its cultural model of dao. Under the framework of the multilevel view of conceptual metaphor and cultural cognition, this paper analyses the hierarchically structured conceptual metaphors of dao in the text. Four conceptual metaphors of dao, including (1) dao is mu; (2) dao is zi; (3) dao is way and (4) dao is water are identified. Together, those four conceptual metaphors form a cultural model of dao, along with the comparison between yin and yang reveal the close relationship between Daoist beliefs and the advocacy of yin-centered philosophy
in the Daodejing.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Methodology
  • 3.Conceptual metaphor theory and cultural cognition
  • 4.Concepts of dao in the Daodejing
  • 5.Conceptual metaphors of dao in the Daodejing
    • 5.1dao is mu (mother)
    • 5.2dao is zi
    • 5.3dao is way
    • 5.4dao is water
    • 5.5Summary of results
  • 6.A cultural model of dao: A yin-centered framework generalization
  • 7.The yin-centered philosophy of the Daodejing
    • 7.1Unification in the cultural model of dao
    • 7.2Unification in the comparison of yin and yang
  • 8.Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Data Availability
  • Notes
  • References
References (57)
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