Comprehensive Record of the Forest of Affairs

### The Primordial Life-Force and the Two Forms

Now, the Primordial Life-forceoriginal: "yuanqi" (元氣). The fundamental energy or vapor that constitutes all things in the universe. is the Supreme Ultimateoriginal: "taiji" (太極). The "Great Ultimate" or highest point of reality from which all existence originates.; it gives birth to the Two Formsoriginal: "liangyi" (兩儀). Specifically referring here to Heaven and Earth, the physical manifestations of Yin and Yang..

The commentary states: The Supreme Ultimate refers to the time before Heaven and Earth were divided, when the Primordial Life-force was mixed and fused into a single whole. Once this "one force" was divided, the Yang-forceoriginal: "yangqi" (陽氣). The light, active, and ascending energy. resided above to become Heaven, and the Yin-forceoriginal: "yinqi" (陰氣). The heavy, passive, and descending energy. resided below to become Earth. That which resides above is light and clear; that which resides below is heavy and turbid, appearing much like the sediment in still water. Thus, Heaven and Earth were established in their places, and these are called the Two Forms. The Appended Remarks of the Book of Changes says this.

Heaven means the "summit"; it is the highest of all with nothing above it. The character is composed of "One" and "Great"—for it is the greatest. From the Analytical Dictionary of Characters (Shuowen) Now, this Heaven is but a small, bright point of light, yet in its infinitude, the sun, moon, stars, and constellations are suspended from it, and all things are covered by it. From the Doctrine of the Mean

The shape of Heaven is like a chicken's egg; Heaven is large and Earth is small. Inside and out there is water. Earth sits upon the life-force and is established there; it carries the water and floats. The motion of Heaven is like that of a wheel’s hub. From the Theory of the Celestial Sphere (Huntian Shuo)

The shape of Heaven is vaulted like a bamboo rain-hat, covering the surface of the Earth and floating atop the Primordial Life-force. It is like an overturned casket that keeps water from flowing because the life-force fills its center. From Yu Xi’s Treatise on the Tranquility of Heaven (Antian Lun)

Heaven is round like a tilted canopy, and Earth is square like a game board. Heaven rotates on its side, half appearing above the Earth and half below the Earth. From the Astronomical Records of the Jin Dynasty

Heaven was deficient in the Northwest; therefore, the Northwest is a dark region that has not yet opened. In the beginning, Heaven and Earth were a primordial chaos like a chicken's egg. Pangu The first sentient being and creator deity in Chinese mythology. was born within it. For eighteen thousand years, Heaven and Earth split apart; the clear Yang became Heaven, and the turbid Yin became Earth. Pangu remained in the center, changing nine times every day—becoming more divine in Heaven and more saintly on Earth. Each day Heaven rose ten feet higher, and each day Earth grew ten feet thicker, and Pangu grew ten feet taller. After eighteen thousand years, Heaven reached its maximum height, Earth reached its maximum depth, and Pangu reached his full length. Since numbers begin at one and end at nine, Heaven is ninety thousand liA traditional Chinese unit of distance, often translated as a "league." away from the Earth. From the Historical Records of the Three and Five (Sanwu Liji)

Lady Nüwa A mother goddess in Chinese mythology, often depicted as a half-serpent. smelted stones of five colors to mend the sky.