210 



SECRETS OF EARTH AND SEA 



(according to him) the history of the universe. They are 

 shown in Fig. 55, and are explained as follows. The 



empty circle A 

 represents the 

 original "void" 

 the boundary line 

 is conventional. 

 After untold aeons 

 the great monad 

 appeared. It is 

 represented by B. 

 Then we get the 



o o e 



A B C D 



FIG. 55. Symbols of the history of the universe 

 used by the ancient Chinese philosopher Chu- 

 Hsi. A, The original "void." B, The great 

 monad. C, The monad divides into two, male 

 and female. D, The halves in rotatory move- 

 ment, suggested by the S-like bending of the 

 dividing line or diameter of the circle. 



division of the 



great monad (now called " Tai-I ") into two, shown in 

 C of our Fig. 55 singularly recalling the division of the 

 nucleated cell or protoplasmic unit of animal and vegetable 

 structure. The two halves, however, in this case repre- 

 sent the feminine called " Yin " and the masculine called 

 "Yang." The last drawing, D of Fig. 55, shows the Yin 

 and the Yang in 

 rotatory motion. 

 This is indicated 

 by the S-like 

 bending of the 

 diameter, and 

 the consequent 

 formation of a 



FIG. 56. Diagrams to show the possible derivation of 

 the swastika from the inscription of two S-like lines 

 (or "ogees") within a circle so as to divide the 

 circle into four bent cones. B and C are ogee and 

 rectangular swastikas easily produced by modifica- 

 tion of the encircled figure. 



^-- -^ C 



a 



figure like the 



Tomoye. By 



this motion the 



visible universe 



is supposed by 



the philosopher Chu-Hsi to be produced. The figure 



marked D is described as a " cosomological symbol." 



It does not help us to the origin of the figure showing 



