We tend to believe that Qi is static. Yet, it moves just like the Dao does.
The Chinese character for qi has two parts. The first part represents vapor, steam, or gas. The second part represents a grain of rice. The Chinese symbol for Qi is represented by steam and uncooked rise suggesting the release of energy and potential for energy and the material all in one.
All phenomena in the universe contains Qi, and Qi must be a part of the Dao. Dao is the way of heaven and earth. All Dao has movement so then Qi must have movement. The movement of the Dao starts with the great water and moves away from water towards fire, wood and metal to finally return. This movement describes the transformation from non-being to being, and back again.
Vapor corresponds with the heavens and rice corresponds with the earth.
Huai Nan Zi says this about the Dao, Dao originated from emptiness and emptiness produced the Dao, that which was clear and light drifted up to become heaven, and that which was heavy and turbid solidified to form earth.
Dao originated from emptiness in the great void. It contains a yang and yin aspect. The lighter forms of qi drift upwards to become heaven, and the heavier forms of qi gather to form earth.
Zhang Zai says this about the great void, The great void consists of Qi. Qi condenses to become the myriad things. Things of necessity disintegrate and return to the great void. If qi condenses, its visibility becomes effective and physical form appears.
Qi contains the generating and birthing quality and the collecting and storing quality. Qi contains the yang and yin of all phenomena.
Yang births, yin grows, yang declines, yin stores.
Qi births, and grows, it declines and stores.
Qi is connected to the Dao, it forms the heaven and earth. It is the way of heaven and earth, the father and mother of change and transformation, the fundamental principal governing the myriad things, the base and beginning of generating and declining, it is the palace of spirit brilliance.