08 - ROUND HEAVEN and SQUARE EARTH

The principle of Heaven is called round, and the principle of Earth is called square; square signifies obscurity while round signifies brightness; brightness means to emit breath, hence it projects outward in light; obscurity means to contain breath, hence it is inward and concealed; therefore fire and the sun are outward in light, while metal and water are inward and concealed. To emit breath is to give forth, and to contain breath is to transform; thus Yang gives forth and Yin transforms. The refined qi of Yang is called shen (spirit), and the refined qi of Yin is called ling (soul); Shen and Ling are the fundamental principles of all things, the origin of rites, music, benevolence, and righteousness, and through them arise both virtue and vice, order and disorder.