Zhou Dunyi (1017–1073) , born Zhou Dunshi, courtesy name Maoshu, was a Chinese Neo-Confucian philosopher and cosmologist born in present-day Yongzhou during the Song Dynasty. He conceptualized the Neo-Confucian cosmology of the day, explaining the relationship between human conduct and universal forces. In this way, he emphasizes that humans can master their qi ("vital life energy") in order to accord with nature. He was a major influence to Zhu Xi, who was the architect of Neo-Confucianism. Zhou Dunyi was mainly concerned with Taiji (supreme polarity) and Wuji (limitless potential), the yin and yang, and the wu xing (the five phases).
Zhou Dunyi had a Daoist perspective toward nature. There are stories of Zhou Dunyi loving his grass so much that he would not cut it, reinforcing the concept that humans should appreciate life in nature and the importance of non-action. Zhou Dunyi is also known to have said that the best quality of life is that of a pure Lotus growing out of dirty waters, where the Lotus is the natural equivalent of the noble person (junzi). He is known for pulling many ideas from Daoism, Buddhism and Confucianism.