Water is the symbol of Tao. Water has seven virtues: Altruism (nourishes all without asking return); Humility (flows to the lowest places); Softness (softest substance wears down hardest stone); Inclusiveness (the ocean accepts all rivers); Adaptability (takes the shape of any container); Clarity (settles and becomes clear); Fairness (levels itself evenly).
In Jin Yong's martial arts novels, "Dugu Nine Swords" embodies water philosophy — formlessness defeats all forms. Modern wisdom from water: be humble like water, flexible like water, peaceful like water.
