中國古代哲學觀點以氣為構成萬物的基礎，萬物與氣之間，因著氣之流動，彼此交流互感，影響及於人為化治之物。人為之典章制度，因氣以成，受氣影響，國家、城池、軍隊，由氣所生發而與氣交流共感。古代兵法重視兵氣，而有延氣、養氣、治氣之說。實則人為建制之軍隊，以氣化成並受氣所制。兵法以氣的變化不定與虛的特性，建構出獨特的兵家思想。其循氣之特質，以氣之循環相生、如水之流，且虛而無形，建構出兵法上的圓形理論，而有著「圓」與「全」的最高指導原則

In Chinese philosophy, Chi (Qi) was the foundation from which all creation originated. All creation and man-made institutions interflowed due to the flow of Chi, and so did the country, the cities, and the army. Chi made up the most important essential factor of the Chinese Art of war. A strategist would always ponder over how to extend, cultivate, or administer Chi. The Chinese conception of the Art of war was based on the invisible and unstable characteristics of Chi. Chinese people developed the theory of circulation, which meant to move in circles and flow as water. The primary principles of this theory were ＂circulation＂ and ＂wholeness＂