Oriental Health Aesthetics: The Time of Professor Qiu Zhenglun’s Explanation of the Book of Changes(64）

The unfolding beauty of continuous life continues to expand. For example, the Tuanzhuan (Commentary on the Judgment) of the Tai hexagram states: “Heaven and Earth interact, and all things flow freely.” In the Yu hexagram, the Tuanzhuan says: “Yu (Contentment) means acting in accordance with what is proper. Thus, even Heaven and Earth act this way—how much more should we in establishing lords and mobilizing armies? When Heaven and Earth move in accordance with what is proper, the sun and moon do not err, and the four seasons do not deviate.”

The Tuanzhuan of the Lin hexagram declares: “Great success through correctness—this is the Way of Heaven.” In the Guan hexagram: “Observing the divine Way of Heaven, the four seasons do not deviate.” The Yi hexagram’s Tuanzhuan states: “Heaven and Earth nourish all things,” while the Xian hexagram’s says: “Heaven and Earth interact, and all things are transformed and born.” The Xugua (Sequence of Hexagrams) commentary, when discussing the position of Xian, explains: “With Heaven and Earth, then there are all things; with all things, then there are male and female; with male and female, then there are husband and wife; with husband and wife, then there are father and son; with father and son, then there are ruler and subject; with ruler and subject, then there are high and low; with high and low, then ritual and righteousness find their place. All action originates from Heaven and Earth as the root, and the husband-wife bond as the beginning of human relations.”

The Tuanzhuan of the Heng hexagram states: “The Way of Heaven and Earth endures forever without change,” and the Yi hexagram’s adds: “Heaven bestows, Earth gives birth; its benefit is boundless.”

The line “As if overnight, a spring wind swept through, bringing thousands of pear trees into bloom” was written by the Tang poet Cen Shen. This imagery resonates deeply with the Yi hexagram’s “Heaven bestows, Earth gives birth; its benefit is boundless,” capturing that same essence. Similarly, He Zhizhang’s poem—”A tall tree adorned with jade-green ribbons, countless tendrils cascading like silken strands; Who cut these delicate leaves so fine? The February wind, scissors in hand”—evokes spring’s arrival, as all things stir to life. To be honest, everything feels renewed; you sleep and wake to find the world freshly awakened, brimming with beauty.

Walking with classmates today, I shared this feeling: Kunming’s climate in Yunnan is truly intoxicating. Beyond being neither too hot nor cold—a mere scientific fact—its air carries an invigorating clarity, a luminous comfort that feels utterly refreshing. Indeed, it holds a mesmerizing allure, much like wine or poetry.

The Tuanzhuan of the Gou hexagram states: “Heaven and Earth meet, and all things are imbued with latent beauty.” When diverse elements converge, what emerges? Like movements in a symphony—first, second, third—each contributes to a harmonious whole. Music embodies “harmony in diversity,” not “uniformity without harmony.” As the saying goes: “The noble seek harmony but not uniformity; the petty seek uniformity but not harmony.” This is the same principle.

The Tuanzhuan of the Ge hexagram declares: “Heaven and Earth undergo revolution, and the four seasons are formed.” After Pangu separated heaven and earth, a tremendous transformation reshaped the cosmos, thus establishing the cycle of Yuan (Originating), Heng (Prospering), Li (Furthering), and Zhen (Steadfastness).