諺語 · a single proverb
天人合一
What does 天人合一 (tiān rén hé yī) mean?
天人合一 (tiān rén hé yī) is a line of classical verse (shīcí 詩詞). Word for word it reads "heaven and humanity united as one." In use it means: The ideal harmony between human beings and the natural order; living in alignment with the cosmos rather than against it. You reach for it when you want that idea in one breath, and the Wood note it carries is why we hand it to those born in the Year of the Dragon.
Literally: "heaven and humanity united as one."
The reading
The person who plants according to the season, rests according to the light, and builds according to the terrain is not being passive. They are being efficient. Working with the system that is already running requires less energy and produces better results than trying to override it.
What kind of proverb it is
Source Core Confucian-Daoist philosophical concept; Dong Zhongshu 董仲舒 tradition
Sits beside
Keep reading
Return to the Proverb Pond to draw another of the eighty-seven, or hear one read aloud. Read the rest of its chapter in Nature, Seasons & Health, or follow the years these lines belong to: Year of the Dragon, Year of the Rat, and Year of the Ox.
Questions
Is 天人合一 a real Chinese proverb?
Yes. 天人合一 (tiān rén hé yī) is a line of classical verse (shīcí 詩詞), and it comes from Core Confucian-Daoist philosophical concept; Dong Zhongshu 董仲舒 tradition. It is living Chinese heritage, given here with per-character pinyin and its source so you can trust the line, not a phrase invented in English.
How do you pronounce 天人合一?
In Mandarin it is tiān rén hé yī. Read the pinyin above each character to follow the tones, or press the speaker beside the calligraphy to hear your browser read 天人合一 aloud in Mandarin.