According to the Confucian belief of unity of heaven and humanity, all human activities conform with the laws governing celestial and terrestrial movement. The creation of qi (vital energy), the product of the convergence of all the natural elements between heaven and earth, generates and nurtures all living things. With this in mind, sages composed grand pieces of music, thereby giving rise to the idea that grand music reflects harmony between heaven, earth, and all things. This concept and the concept that grand rites reflect the movement of heaven and earth complement each other. The latter one means sages formulate grand rites in accordance with the order of heaven, earth, and all things and the norms governing them. The complementary functions of music and rites play a major role in pacifying and unifying the minds of the people and safeguarding and maintaining public order. According to Confucianism, human beings, deities and ghosts as well as all other living things may undergo changes but will never deviate from the fundamental norms governing their movement, thus everything is in its proper place.

Grand music reflects harmony between heaven and earth; grand rites reflect order of heaven, earth and all living things. With such harmony, all things grow without losing their nature. Under such an order, people offer sacrifices to heaven and earth at designated times. In the human world, rites and music cultivate the people. In the underworld, ghosts and deities provide assistance. When all these things are in their proper places, there will be mutual respect and love among all the people across the land. (The Book of Rites)

Music reflects harmony between heaven and earth; rites reflect the order of heaven and earth. With such harmony, all things are generated and nurtured. Under such an order, all things are differentiated. Music is created in accordance with the law that creates all living things; and rites are formulated in accordance with the law that fosters all living things. (The Book of Rites)