Why is Taoism also called Huang-Lao theory?

Huang Laodao is a prehistoric Taoist sect. It is a combination of Fang Xian's thought and Huang Lao's learning.

Huang Laodao is named after Huang Laoxue, a major academic school in ancient times. "Huang" refers to Huangdi, which represents the ancient thoughts of "Fairy Family" and "Yin Yang Family", and "Lao" refers to Laozi, which represents Taoist thought. The name "Huang Laodao" was first found in "The Biography of Wang Huan in the Later Han Dynasty": "During Yanxi (AD 158-166), Emperor Huan served Huang Laodao and abolished all the sacrifices in the houses." However, the roots of Huang-Lao School can be traced back to the Jixia School of Qi State during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period. They all spoke of the Yellow Emperor, learned Huang-Lao's moral skills, and matched the legendary Yellow Emperor with Laozi, revering them both as the founder of Taoism. . By the time of the Warring States, Qin and Han Dynasties, the Yellow Emperor's influence on society had been very great. "The most powerful person in the world is none other than the Yellow Emperor" and "hundreds of schools of thought" in academia also spoke of the Yellow Emperor. Huang-Lao School developed into the Eastern Han Dynasty and became Huang-Lao Taoism.

Huang-Lao theory is the theoretical basis of Chinese Taoism, and Huang-Lao Taoism is the beginning of early Taoism. However, Huang-Lao Taoism did not have any organization, no systematic teachings, and did not have much religious color. It only recognized Laozi as the ideal ancestor on the premise of worshiping Huangdi and Laozi. It is not yet a religion in the true sense of the word. It should be said that Huang Lao Taoism is only the predecessor of Taoism.