For many Daoists and Naturalists virtually no distinction was made between the nature of the seasons, the climate resonant with each season and the cyclical changes taking place in the human, animal and vegetable worlds. In plants the never-ending cycle of growth, flowering, harvest, decline and storing informed them of the differing qualities of each season. The behaviour of animals and humans in each season was also seen to be governed by the same laws. Men have no choice but to go by this succession; officials have no choice but to operate according to these powers. For such are the calculations of heaven. (Tung Chung-shu, –135; quoted in