Confucian Cosmogony

INTRODUCTION.

PLATE II.

Two circular diagrams are positioned side by side to illustrate cosmological concepts. Figure 1, on the left, is a solid black circle. This represents the undifferentiated state of chaos. Inside the circle is the text "Dark Air (Female)." Figure 2, on the right, is a circle divided horizontally into two equal halves. The upper half is white and contains the text "Light Air (Male)." The lower half is black and contains the text "Dark Air (Female)." The labels "Fig. 1." and "Fig. 2." are centered above each circle.

Fig. 1 represents the whole infinite mass of Primordial Air when in Chaos. This is the Great Monadoriginal: 太一, Taiyi. This term refers to the supreme, undifferentiated unity that exists before the creation of the world. or the Sovereign on Highoriginal: Shang-te, often romanized as Shangdi. This refers to the supreme deity or primordial governing principle in Chinese tradition. before he divides into two Airs, a Male and a Female, to generate the World. He is also called the Great Beginningoriginal: 太初, Taichu. The state of the universe where energy or "air" has appeared but has not yet formed into shapes.; and is both the Fetus of Man, and the World Eggoriginal Latin: Ovum Mundi. A concept in ancient philosophy where the universe is born from a cosmic egg.. Inherent in this “Mind” is the Divine Reason. See Plate I., Fig. 4.

Fig. 2 represents this mass of Primordial Air divided into Subtle original: "Subtile" and Gross; or Light and Darkness.