Follow us on Facebook to receive important updates Follow us on Twitter to receive important updates Follow us on sina.com's microblogging site to receive important updates Follow us on Douban to receive important updates
Chinese Text Project
Simplified Chinese version
Back Forward
Confucianism -> Liji -> Yue Ji -> 31

After this there ensues the manifestation (of the inward thoughts) by the modulations of note and tone,
the elegant accompaniments of the lutes, small and large,
the movements with the shield and battleaxe,
the ornaments of the plumes and ox-tails,
and the concluding with the pipes and flutes.
All this has the effect of exhibiting the brilliance of complete virtue,
stirring up the harmonious action of the four (seasonal) energies;
and displaying the true natures and qualities of all things.
Hence in the fine and distinct notes we have an image of heaven;
广in the ample and grand, an image of earth;
in their beginning and ending, an image of the four seasons;
in the wheelings and revolutions (of the pantomimes), an image of the wind and rain.
(The five notes, like) the five colours, form a complete and elegant whole, without any confusion.
(The eight instruments of different materials, like) the eight winds, follow the musical accords, without any irregular deviation.
The lengths of all the different notes have their definite measurements, without any uncertainty.
The small and the great complete one another.
The end leads on to the beginning, and the beginning to the end.
The key notes and those harmonising with them, the sharp and the bass,
succeed one another in their regular order.
Therefore, when the music has full course, the different relations are clearly defined by it;
the perceptions of the ears and eyes become sharp and distinct;
the action of the blood and physical energies is harmonious and calm;
(bad) influences are removed, and manners changed;
天下 and all under heaven there is entire repose.


Enjoy this site? Please help.Site design and content copyright 2006-2024. When quoting or citing information from this site, please link to the corresponding page or to https://ctext.org/ens. Please note that the use of automatic download software on this site is strictly prohibited, and that users of such software are automatically banned without warning to save bandwidth. 沪ICP备09015720号-3Comments? Suggestions? Please raise them here.