Musica universalis

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Musica universalis, or the music of the spheres, is an ancient philosophical idea that the movements and proportions of celestial bodies form a kind of cosmic harmony. It is usually understood as a mathematical or metaphysical order rather than audible music.

The concept is associated with Pythagorean thought, which linked musical intervals with simple numerical ratios. Later writers extended these relationships to the distances and motions of the heavens.

Plato, Cicero, Boethius, Kepler, and many other thinkers developed different versions of the idea. Johannes Kepler sought numerical harmonies in planetary motion while also contributing to the development of modern orbital astronomy.

Musica universalis influenced philosophy, astronomy, mathematics, religious thought, literature, visual art, and musical composition. It remains historically important as an example of attempts to connect natural cycles with proportion, harmony, and an ordered cosmos.

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• Source / publisher: Wikipedia
• URL type: WWW
• Credits: Wikipedia
• URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musica_universalis