Things grow or wither as time goes by, or advance or retrogress as circumstances change. This term comes from The Book of Changes. Ancient Chinese believed that the world evolved with time, nothing remained unchanged and that people should act in keeping with the circumstances. They stressed that people should observe the way of heaven and “go with the times.”

When the sun reaches midday, it begins to set, and when the moon is full, it begins to wane. Heaven and earth reach fullness and emptiness and wax and wane as time passes. This also applies to humans. So do spirits and gods!

(The Book of Changes)