Answer to Question #292682 in Philosophy for doll

Question

What is the relation between Heaven and Earth in ancient Chinese cosmology?

Answer 1

First, the duality between heaven and earth anticipates the later and broader duality between yin and yang; second, there is an assumed correlation between the cosmos in its entirety and the cosmos as found in any one of its parts (such as the turtle plastron). Yet Shang cosmologies remained for the most part very basic, overseen by the Supreme Lord, Shang Di, and controlled by various spiritual beings. Heaven took its body from the Yang, so it was round and in motion; Earth took its body from the Yin, so it was flat and quiescent. Through motion there was action and giving forth; through quiescence, there was conjoining and transformation.