Classique 6: Explanation of the Tai Ji Diagram (Tai Ji Tu Shuo)

Wu Ji already Tai Ji
Tai Ji moves to produce Yang
Movement to its limit (Ji) then stillness

Immobility then produces Yin
Immobility to its limit, then returns to movement.

One movement, one stillness
Each acts as the root of the other

And (they) separate into Yin and Yang.

The two principles (Liang Yi) are established
Yang changes with Yin and they unite to produce water, fire, wood, metal and earth.
The five Qi unfold smoothly
The four seasons advance at their own pace.
The Five Elements as one are Yin and Yang.
Yin and Yang as one are Tai Ji.
The origin of Tai Ji is in Wu Ji.

As soon as the Five Elements are produced, each has its own character.
The reality of Wu Ji and the essence of Two (the Two Principles) and Five (the Five Elements) combine and coagulate wonderfully.
The Tao of Heaven (Qian) perfects the Masculine; the Tao of Earth (Kun) perfects the Feminine.

The Two Qi react (copulate) and influence each other, transforming and giving birth to the 10,000 things.
The 10,000 things never cease to give birth and transform endlessly.
Only Man achieves this excellence and is the most intelligent.
After his form has been created, his mind discovers knowledge.

The five characters (of the Five Elements) are stimulated and set in motion.
Good and evil are distinguished and the 10,000 things appear.
The Sages fix the contents using Benevolence and Righteousness (Ren Yi), Center and Rightness (Zhong Zheng).
They advocate immobility and establish man's limit (Ji)
In the past, "the virtue of the sages was in harmony with Heaven and Earth.

Their enlightenment in harmony with the sun and moon.
The order of their deeds in harmony with the four seasons.
Their luck and misfortune in harmony with demons and gods".

(Quotation from The Book of Transformations)

The luck of the superior man lies in the cultivation (of his virtue);
The small man's misfortune lies in his nature.

So it is said that in establishing the Tao of Heaven, we speak of Yin and Yang.
In establishing the Tao of Earth, we speak of Yin and Yang.

In establishing the Tao of Man, we speak of Benevolence and Righteousness.
It is also said, "If you go back to the origin of all things, you know what there is to say about life and death".
How great is the Yi (Yi Jing / I Ching - the Book of Transformations).

It is therefore the most perfect.

This text is by Zhou Dun-yi (1017-1073), philosopher and member of the Tai Ji Diagram Sect, often referred to as neo-Confucian. He was a follower of Taoist physiological alchemy.