Editing Chinese mythology (section)

===Daoism and Chinese mythology===
{{Further|Daoism}}

Over time certain aspects of folk religion and belief coalesced and were refined into a group of formal religious beliefs, practices, and philosophy known as [[Daoism]]. One of the founders of Daoism was Old Man [[Laozi]], who himself entered into legend or mythology. There is much overlap between religion and mythology, and between Chinese folk religion and Daoism. However, certain beings or concepts of Chinese mythology have a particularly strong association with religious or philosophical Daoism. For example, the Jade Emperor, Yùhuáng, is a major actor in many myths. In Daoist-related mythology there is often a strong presence of sorcery and magic, such as spells, charms, magical abilities, and elixirs. The development of Daoism as it came to be called was a lengthy one, with various strands including both rationalist ethical philosophy and a [[magico-religious]] stand informed by mythology. As Daoism developed as a concept from its traditional roots in Chinese folk religion and mythology, its legitimacy was bolstered by claims of originating with Huangdi, the [[Yellow Emperor]].{{sfn|Ferguson|1928|p=20}} For example some of the ''[[Huangdi Sijing]] material'', the ''[[Huangdi Yinfujing]]'',  and  the ''[[Huangdi Neijing]]'' are Daoist classics with claims to a scriptural legacy going back to Huangdi.