what is Chaos 混沌？

Chaos refers to the state of the universe as an indistinct mass imagined by ancient people before the separation of heaven and earth.

Taoism calls this the "state of primordial qi (vital energy)." In *Huainanzi · Quanyan Xun* (a classic of Taoist philosophy), it is recorded: "Integrated with heaven and earth, chaos remains as an uncarved simplicity. Before it gave rise to objects, it was called Taiyi (the Great Unity)." Wang Chong, in *Lunheng · Tantian* (a philosophical work), wrote: "Those who explain the *Book of Changes* (Yi Jing) say: 'When primordial qi was undivided, chaos existed as a single unity.'"