What does it mean to "observe astronomy to observe the changes of time, observe humanities to transform the world"

“Observe astronomy to observe the changes of time, observe humanities to transform the world” means:

By observing the laws of the movement of heaven and earth, we can understand the changes of seasons; By paying attention to ethics and morals, people's behavior should be in line with civilized etiquette.

"Observe astronomy to observe the changes of time, observe humanities to transform the world" comes from "The Book of Changes".

"The Book of Changes" is the "Book of Changes", one of the "Three Changes", and one of the traditional classics. It is said to be written by Jichang, King Wen of Zhou Dynasty, and its content includes two parts: "Jing" and "Zhuan".

The "Jing" mainly consists of sixty-four hexagrams and three hundred and eighty-four lines. Each hexagram and line has its own explanation (hexagram words and line words), which are used for divination. "The Book of Changes" did not put forward the concepts of Yin and Yang and Tai Chi. The book that talks about Yin and Yang and Tai Chi is the "Book of Changes" that was influenced by Taoism and Yin and Yang schools. "Zhuan" contains seven kinds of texts explaining hexagrams and line speeches and ten articles, collectively called "Ten Wings", which are said to have been written by Confucius.

Extended information:

About the author of Zhouyi:

King Wen refers specifically to Ji Chang (1152 BC - 1056 BC), with the surname Ji and the given name Chang. The grandson of King Tai of Zhou, the son of Ji Li, the founder of the Zhou Dynasty, a native of Qizhou (now Qishan, Shaanxi). After his father's death, he inherited the position of Xibohou, so he was called Xibochang. In the forty-second year of Xibo Chang's reign, Ji Chang became king and was known as King Wen of Zhou in history. He has been in power for 50 years and is a wise king in Chinese history.

During his reign, King Wen of Zhou Dynasty "be careful about virtue and punishment", was diligent in political affairs, paid attention to the development of agricultural production, treated virtuous officials, and recruited talents. He worshiped Jiang Shang as his military adviser and asked about military and national plans, making "the three countries in the world" Divide, and two of them return to Zhou."

Adopted Yu and Rui, attacked Li (now Changzhi, Shanxi), Xie (now Qinyang, Henan) and other countries; established the capital Fengjing (now Xi'an, Shaanxi), laying the foundation for King Wu to destroy the Shang Dynasty; The old biography "Book of Changes" was performed by him. In addition, the creation of Zhou rites was highly praised by later Confucians. Confucius even called King Wen "the hero of the three generations".

Baidu Encyclopedia-Book of Changes