Daoism, a counter to Confucianism: 5-6th century

    Unlike Confucianism, Daoism emphasized spontaneity and look towards nature. "Confucius focused on the world of human relationships, the Daoists turned the spotlight on the immense realm of nature and its mysterious unfolding patterns." (Ways of the World pg 154)  Daoist advocated for this balance and equality in nature, as well as between gender. Family was still high values, but the roles between men and women was much more equal and non patriarchal. Instead, the two sexes compliment and balance each other. The symbol used in Daoism, the Yin and Yang,  shows this. Half black and half white, the two halves balance each other and shows the "unity of opposites" as together they form a whole. The Yin, the black, represents feminine energy, winter and fall, water among other things. The Yang, the white, represents in contrast the male energy, summer and spring, passion etc. The example of balance of gender and focus of equality is black and white compared to Confucianism. 

This picture of the Yin and Yang gives more meanings to each side