坤こん道どう

noun

the way of the earth; the principle of the earth

In traditional Chinese cosmology, the passive, receptive principle associated with the earth (坤), often contrasted with 乾道 (the way of heaven). Rare in modern Japanese.

• 易えき経きょうでは、坤こん道どうは大だい地ちの柔じゅう順じゅんな徳とくを表あらわす。

  In the I Ching, the way of the earth represents the gentle, yielding virtue of the great earth.

noun

the way of women; the path women should follow

Derived from the earth's receptive nature, this sense refers to traditional feminine virtues or the ideal conduct for women, as understood in classical Chinese thought. Extremely rare and archaic.

• 古こ典てんでは、坤こん道どうは女じょ性せいの従じゅう順じゅんな道みちとして説とかれることがある。

  In classical texts, the way of women is sometimes expounded as the path of feminine obedience.