True form (Taoism)

In Taoism, the concept of a true form (Chinese: 真形 / 眞形; pinyin: Zhēn xíng) is a metaphysical theory which posits that there are immutable essences of things — that is, images of the eternal Dao without form. This belief exists in Chinese Daoist traditions such as the Three Sovereigns corpus, where they emphasise the capacity of talismans, charts, and diagrams to depict both "true forms" and "true names" (真名; Zhēn míng) of demons and spirits. These talismanic representations are considered to be windows into the metaphysical substance of the entities whose "true form" and "true name" they depict. Since both the "true form" and the "true name" of an entity are two sides of the same coin, diagrams and talismans, could serve as apotropaic amulets or summoning devices for the deities the Taoists believed populated the cosmic mountains.

Taoists created charts (albums) depicting these "true forms" to help guide them safely through holy places during their pilgrimages, later they created talismans (charms) which displayed these true form charts. A talisman was more easily carried on the person and provided protection for seekers of the Dao as they journeyed into these mountainous areas.

Concept

During the medieval period (中世紀) Taoists developed the idea of the "true form" or zhenxing. The term "true form" denotes the original form something has as a part of the "Dao" (道; dào), which Taoists refer to as the "Great Image without form" (大象無形), and can be applied to a broad range of things such as a deity, an icon, a purified self, a talisman, or a picture. Essentially, talismans and diagrams were depictions of a supramundane entities, and gave a visually observable shape to the metaphysical substance of a supramundane being's "image", which they referred to as the xiang (象). Taoists believe that the "true form" or name of a spirit inscribed on a talisman is legible only to supernatural beings, and being in possession of such a talisman gives a sort of temporary "control" over the entity whose name or form is possessed.