Three Pure Ones

The Three Pure Ones (Chinese): 三清), also called the Three Pure Pellucid Ones, the Three Purities, the Three Pristine Ones, the Three Clarities, or the Three Divine Teachers, are the three most important gods in the Taoist belief system. They are known as Jade Purity (Chinese): 玉清), Upper Purity (Chinese): 上清), and Grand Purity (Chinese): 太清).

These three gods are thought to be the earliest forms of the Energy of The One (Chinese): 一炁), another name for Tao. In Taoist stories about how the world began, it is said that from nothing, Tao created the Three Pure Ones.

People who practice Taoism believe that when the Five Types of Energies come together to form the Energy of The One, this energy can then change into the Three Pure Ones.

The Three Pure Ones are believed to live in the highest heavens, called the Three Purest Heavens (Chinese): 三清天). Each god has their own heaven: Jade Purity Heaven (Chinese): 玉清天) for the Original and Primordial Heavenly Lord, Upper Purity Heaven (Chinese): 上清天) for the Divine Treasures Heavenly Lord, and Grand Purity Heaven (Chinese): 太清天) for the Heavenly Lord of Way and Virtue. They are seen as the source of everything in the universe and have power over time.

The Three Purities

Grand Purity	Jade Purity	Upper Purity
Heavenly Lord of Way and Virtue	Original and Primordial Heavenly Lord	Divine Treasures Heavenly Lord
Often depicted as holding a fan, sometimes holding other objects, and sitting on a throne	Holding a pearl made of mixed energies, and sitting on a throne made of treasures	Holding a Wish-granting scepter, and sitting on a throne

In Taoism

In Taoism, there are three important gods called the Three Pure Ones. They come from the idea that the Tao, or the way of the universe, created everything. These three gods are Yuanshi Tianzun, Lingbao Tianzun, and Daode Tianzun.

Each of these gods has a special job in how the world was made. Yuanshi Tianzun started it all. Lingbao Tianzun helped separate different parts. Daode Tianzun taught people about the Tao. They are often shown as wise old men and each rules a different heaven. They are also linked to different kinds of energy in the body and the universe.

Original and Primordial Heavenly Lord

Main article: Yuanshi Tianzun

The Original and Primordial Heavenly Lord, also called the Universally Honored One of Origin, is one of the Three Pure Ones in Taoism. He is known as the Jade Purity and is a very important god in Taoist beliefs.

Divine Treasures Heavenly Lord

Main article: Lingbao Tianzun

Divine Treasures Heavenly Lord (靈寶天尊), also called "The Universally Honoured One of Divinities and Treasures", "Heavenly Lord of Spiritual Treasures", or "Lord of the Numinous Treasure", is the Upper Purity (Chinese: 上清) among the Three Pure Ones.

This heavenly lord helps keep balance between yin and yang. He looks after sacred writings and helps order time into different periods.

Heavenly Lord of Way and Virtue

Main article: Daode Tianzun

Heavenly Lord of Way and Virtue (道德天尊), also called "The Universally Honored One of Tao and Virtues" or "The Way-and-Its-Power Celestial One", is the Grand Purity (Chinese: 太清) among the Three Pure Ones. He is also known as the Ultra Supreme Elder Lord (太上老君).

In Taoist stories, Heavenly Lord of Way and Virtue has many forms, and one of them is the famous person Lao Tzu, who wrote the Scripture of Way and Virtue. He is often shown as an older man with white hair and a beard.