The theory of yin and yang and the five elements is a simple dialectical materialist philosophical thought created by the ancient Chinese people. Therefore, ancient medical scientists borrowed the theory of yin and yang and the five elements to explain various phenomena of human physiology and pathology, and used it to guide and summarize medical knowledge and clinical experience, which gradually formed a medical theory system based on the theory of yin and yang and five elements. The theory of yin and yang is a theory that explores the physiological functions and pathological changes of the human body by using the phenomena and laws of movement changes in nature, so as to explain the functional activities, organizational structure and interrelationship of the human body.
Mr. Xie said, "Chinese medicine uses the sympathy, opposition, mutual root, growth and decline, transformation and self-harmony of yin and yang to understand and explain life, health and disease. Mr. Xie continued, "The theory of yin and yang is integrated into the theoretical system of traditional Chinese medicine, and is widely used to explain the life movement of the human body, analyze the mechanism of the occurrence, development and change of diseases, and guide the diagnosis and prevention of diseases. The world is material, and the material world itself is the result of the unity of the opposition of yin and yang. The interaction of yin and yang and their movement and changes form the occurrence of things and promote the development and change of things. ”
The formation of the concept of yin and yang
"Teacher Xie, how did the concept of yin and yang come about?" Xiao Wang asked curiously.
Teacher Xie smiled and began to explain: "The concept of yin and yang can be traced back to ancient times. At that time, human beings initially formed an understanding of yin and yang by observing natural phenomena, especially the appearance of the sun and the change of the moon. The earliest written records of yin and yang can be found in oracle bone inscriptions from the Yin Shang period, such as the words 'yang day' and 'obscure moon'. ”
Xiao Wang carefully recorded Mr. Xie's words, and had a clearer understanding of the origin of the concept of yin and yang.
"With the continuous expansion of the observation of natural phenomena, the meaning of yin and yang has gradually been extended to include heaven and earth, up and down, light and dark, cold and heat, movement and static, etc." Teacher Xie continued to explain.
Xiao Wang listened with relish, and he began to imagine how the ancients understood yin and yang by observing natural phenomena, and felt the profound connotation of this concept.
"During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, the doctrine of yin and yang gradually took shape as a philosophical thought." Mr. Xie continued, "Ancient philosophers used the yin and yang doctrine of the unity of opposites and dialectical thinking to explain natural phenomena, social politics, ethics and morality. ”
Xiao Wang couldn't help but sigh at the wisdom of the ancients, and he was deeply attracted by the theory of yin and yang.
"The concept of yin and yang is also applied to the medical field." Mr. Xie added, "During the Warring States Period, medical family physicians and physicians used yin and yang to explain the cause of diseases when diagnosing patients. ”
The first characteristic of yin and yang: the universality of yin and yang
Wang asked Teacher Xie for advice in the clinic: "Teacher, I still want to know the characteristics of yin and yang, can you explain it to me again?" ”
Teacher Xie smiled and nodded, and pointed to an ancient book on the table: "Okay, the theory of yin and yang has four major characteristics in traditional Chinese medicine. First of all, TCM believes that many things and phenomena in the world have both positive and negative aspects, which can be defined by yin and yang. Yin and Yang can not only signify things or phenomena that are opposed to each other, but also can represent opposing sides within the same thing or phenomenon. For example, the yin and yang of heaven and earth, the yin and yang of the sun and the moon, and the yin and yang of the seasons are all specific applications of the theory of yin and yang. ”
Xiao Wang carefully recorded Teacher Xie's words, and then asked, "Teacher, can you speak a little more deeply?" ”
Teacher Xie patiently explained: "A pair of things or phenomena summarized by yin and yang should exist in the same unity, or two opposing aspects of a thing. For example, the upper and lower, the inside and the outside, the spring, summer, autumn and winter, day and night, the cold and heat of temperature, and the qi and blood of life matter in space are all two opposite and interrelated aspects in a whole. In fact, the concept of yin and yang is widely used in all things in heaven and earth, such as heaven and earth, sun and moon, summer and winter, fire and water, male and female yin, etc. The generation, development, and interrelationship of all things in the universe can be included in the category of yin and yang. In the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, the concept of yin and yang involves many aspects such as the structure of human tissues, physiological functions, and changes in pathogenesis. The yin and yang attributes of the internal organs of the human body are different, and they coordinate with each other to maintain the balance of the body. ”
Xiao Wang listened with relish, and nodded his head from time to time to show understanding. He continued to ask: "So, how is the Yin and Yang doctrine embodied in the Yellow Emperor's Neijing?" ”
Teacher Xie replied with a smile: "For example, "Su Wen · Treasure Life Theory of the Whole Form Theory" 'Life is tangible, not separated from yin and yang'. In other words, in the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, the concept of yin and yang is used to summarize the structure of human tissues, physiological functions, pathogenesis changes, diagnosis and treatment. "The second characteristic of yin and yang: the correlation of yin and yang
Xiao Wang listened attentively and carefully recorded every word of Teacher Xie. He asked, "Teacher, can you tell me about the second major characteristic of yin and yang?" ”
Teacher Xie replied with a smile: "
Xiao Wang listened intently, while carefully recording every important detail. His eyes flashed with curiosity and curiosity, and every time Mr. Xie explained, he felt it with his heart, as if he was thinking about how to integrate this knowledge. Teacher Xie also said: "However, if it is not in a unity, but is an unrelated thing or phenomenon, such as cold and above, day and outside, etc., it cannot be summarized and explained by yin and yang. The theory of yin and yang emphasizes the interdependence and mutual restriction between things, and only in the context of this symbiotic coexistence can yin and yang fully demonstrate their relativity and interaction. This concept permeates all aspects of TCM and provides an important theoretical basis for diagnosis and treatment. ”
The third characteristic of yin and yang: the prescriptiveness of yin and yang
Xiao Wang was fascinated by what he heard and continued to ask: "So, Mr. Xie, can you tell me about the third major characteristic of yin and yang?" ”
Teacher Xie patiently explained: "The theory of yin and yang clearly stipulates the respective attributes of yin and yang, which are immutable and irreversible. The characteristics of yang include brightness, warmth, upwardness, outwardness, excitement, divergence, etc.; The characteristics of yin include darkness, coldness, downwardness, adduction, calmness, cohesion, etc. Yin and Yang are used to describe the properties of things, for example water is attributed to Yin and fire is attributed to Yang. In this theoretical system, water cannot be called yang, and fire cannot be called yin. The change in the attributes of yin and yang is relative and needs to be divided by comparing objects. That is, the yin and yang attributes of things are divided by comparing the opposites. If the object of comparison changes, the yin and yang properties of things can change accordingly. ”
Teacher Xie also said: "In the human organs, the rules of yin and yang are also clear. For example, Kidney Yin and Kidney Yang, Liver Yin and Liver Yang, etc., all have their own specific connotations, and they cannot be reversed. ”
The fourth characteristic of yin and yang: the relativity of yin and yang
Xiao Wang nodded while listening, and said with satisfaction: "Teacher Xie, your explanation is really detailed, which gives me a deeper understanding of the theory of yin and yang. Or could you please talk about the fourth characteristic of yin and yang? ”
Teacher Xie smiled and encouraged: "Very good, yin and yang can be transformed into each other, that is, yin can be transformed into yang, and yang can also be transformed into yin. At the same time, the infinite divisibility of things is what the "Yin and Yang Classics · says, 'Yin and Yang are divided into two'. Finally, the yin and yang properties of things can also change depending on the object of comparison. ”