The literal meaning of ‘Shanshui’ is ‘mountain-water’. When used together it represents the word ‘Landscape’. These are more than two elements of an image. These represent two complimentary poles, reflecting the Daoist view of the universe. The mountain Yang, is reaching vertically towards Heaven. It is stable, warm, and dry in the sun. The water is Yin horizontal and resting on the Earth. It is fluid, moist and cool. Yin is the receptive, feminine aspect of universal energy. Its counterpart Yang is active and masculine. The interaction of Yin and Yang is of course the fundamental notion of Daoism. However, there is an essential third element, the Middle Void, where the interaction of Yin and Yang takes place. This can be compared with the yogic practice of ‘pranayama’, where we breathe in, retain and breathe out. Thus the suspension of breath is the void where meditation occurs. So the Middle Void is essential-nothing can happen without it. That is why there is the importance of the white, unpainted space in Chinese landscape. This is also where man finds a fundamental role. In that space between heaven and Earth, he becomes the conduit of communication between both poles of the universe.
