乾けん坤こん

noun

heaven and earth; the universe

Classical Chinese-derived term for the cosmos as a whole. Used in literary, philosophical, or poetic contexts.

• 乾けん坤こんの理りを説とく。

  Expound the principles of heaven and earth.

noun

trigrams Qian and Kun (I Ching)

Specifically refers to the first two trigrams of the I Ching: Qian (☰, heaven) and Kun (☷, earth). Used in divination and classical Chinese philosophy.

See also: 乾 · 坤 · 易経

• 易えき経きょうでは、乾けん坤こんは万ばん物ぶつの根こん源げんとされる。

  In the I Ching, Qian and Kun are considered the origin of all things.

noun

yin and yang

Extended from the trigram sense to represent the dual forces of yin and yang. Rare standalone; more commonly expressed as 陰陽.

• 乾けん坤こんの二に気きが調ちょう和わする。

  The two energies of yin and yang harmonize.

noun

northwest and southwest

In traditional Chinese cosmology, Qian corresponds to northwest and Kun to southwest. Very rare and technical.

• 乾けん坤こんは方ほう位いでは西せい北ほくと西せい南なんを指さす。

  Qian and Kun refer to the northwest and southwest directions.