harmony
HAR-muh-nee
/ˈhɑːrməni/
A pleasing arrangement or agreement of parts, actions, or ideas; in Eastern philosophy, living in balance with the cosmos.
In philosophical terms, harmony is not passive submission, but dynamic alignment with natural order.
The story behind the word. From Ancient Greek 'harmonia', which originally meant a 'joint' or 'fastening' used by carpenters to hold pieces of wood together. It moved from physical joinery to musical scales, and eventually described the delicate cosmological balance of the universe.
Word relationships
- balance: Balance emphasizes equal distribution of weight, while harmony emphasizes aesthetic or relational unity.
- concord: Concord refers specifically to peaceful agreement between people, whereas harmony extends to cosmic alignment.
- discord: Discord implies harsh, clashing conflict and lack of alignment.
- conflict: Conflict implies active opposition or struggle.
Commonly confused with
- uniformity: Uniformity means everything is identical; harmony means distinct elements work together smoothly.
Word family
- harmonious (adjective): Forming a pleasing or consistent whole
- harmonize (verb): To bring into agreement or balance
Collocations
- living in harmony
- cosmic harmony
- perfect harmony
- social harmony
Idioms & expressions
- in harmony with
Example sentences
- "The Master acts without action and maintains harmony with all things." Taoist Philosophy (Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching)
- "Living in harmony with nature requires observing natural cycles rather than forcing outcomes." Everyday Life
Memory hook
Think of HARMONY as HARMONICA notes fitting together smoothly. Join separate pieces into a smooth whole.
When not to use
Do not use when referring strictly to legal compliance or silence; it implies active, balanced integration.
Fun facts
- In ancient Greece, Harmonia was the goddess of concord, born from the union of Ares (god of war) and Aphrodite (goddess of love).
Related words
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