Nature is a vast realm that defines the order of the universe. As such, the Joseon scholar officials looked to nature to learn how humans should live. The towering mountains and deep valleys depicted in ink-wash paintings symbolized the eternal, unchanging power of nature, while the seasonal transformations of landscapes reflected the cycles of change inherent in the world. Through these natural principles, the scholar officials sought to live in harmony with the flow of the world, to nurture the lives of the people, to reflect on themselves, and to envision a better society.