Yin-Yang Theory

1、Yin-Yang Theory陰陽学说Circles of Circles: A Theory of Relativity the history about Yin and Yang theory legend八卦（Ba Gua) Eight Diagrams created the eight trigrams lengend White Turtle patterns on the shell of the white turtle the core principle of the word- the changes of yin and yang fortune-telling:wi

2、th this book,the acient people can cast the fortune,make the decisions of the politics,etc. including astronomy,geography,math,etc,all the science无极生太极,Wuji generates Taiji. 太极生两仪,Taiji generates two forms两仪生四象,Two forms generate four images四象生八卦,Four images generate eight trigrams.八卦生万物。Eight trigr

3、ams determine myriads of phenomena.周文王This book is the classic reflection of the Chinese traditional culture.This book tells us the world keeps in changing every day,and the basic elements of the changes are Yin and Yang. “一阴一阳谓之道”一元论 Monism二元论 dualism（两仪 two forms) Yin,Yang多元论 pluralismYin and Yang

4、 In the course of their everyday life and work,the ancient Chinese people came to understand that all aspects of natural word could be seen as having a dual aspect. The early connotations of yin and yang were quiet simple,the side facing the sun being yang and reverse side being yin.YangYinImplicati

5、on of Yin and Yang Darkness-The Northern slope of mountains, the southern bank of waters-YIN-shady-dimness, coldness, inwardness, stillness, descent, inactive, material; female Brightness-The Southern slope of mountains, the northern bank of waters-YANG-sunny-brightness, warmth, outwardness, changin

6、g, ascending, active, function; male All things embrace yang and carry yin. -lao zi The universe is composed of yin and yang. -yi zhuan Yin and Yang are general terms used to summarize the opposite yet interdependent aspects of objects or natural phenomena. Yin and Yang are philosophical concepts of

7、 things and phenomena in the natural world opposing and containing each other. Yin and Yang not only means two things opposing each other, but also means two opposite components in the same thing. The contradiction movement between unity and opposite of yin and yang exists universally within all thi

8、ngs and its consequence is the occurrence, development and changes of all things in the universe.Yin is at the core, hidden, sinking, condensed and internal; Yang is at the surface, exposed, rising, dispersed, and external. Yin is quiescent, static and contracting; Yang is dynamic, active, and expan

9、sive. Yin is material basis, tissue, for the transforming power of Yang, which reorganizes and regenerates. Designation of Yin and YangDesignation of Yin and YangBasis of Yin Yang TheoryThe natural world is made up of materials and the material world conceives, develops and constantly varies under t

10、he interaction of yin and yang.The interaction of Yin and Yang (opposition and interdependence) is “the law of the universe”How to designate?Criteria: Fire & WaterMethod: classification according to manifestation Law: Yang: radical change, outwardness, ascension, warmth and brightnessYin: stilln

11、ess, inwardness, descent, coldness, and dimnessCorrespondences of Yin-Yangyin and yang depend on each otheryin and yang are opposed to and,at the same time, depend on each other.Neither can exist in isolation.without yin there would be no yang,and vice versa.The designations of Yin or Yang are made

12、only in relation to each other. Yin and Yang are infinitely divisible but inseparable. Yin also appears within Yang, and vice versa. infinitely divisible but inseparableFeatures of yin-yang designationAll phenomena in the universe may be ascribed to Yin or Yang. Once designated, yin-yang relation is

13、 absolute.Relativity: Yin-Yang doesnt fall into strict either-or categories that are fixed and concrete.Relativity of Yin-Yang RelationsMutual convertibility e.g. white Infinite divisibility e.g. daytime (yang): morning (yang within yang) afternoon (yin within yang)The Basic Contents of Yin-Yang The

14、ory:Interaction between yin and yangOpposition of yin and yang 阴阳对立（yin yang dui li）Wane and wax of yin and yang 阴阳消长（yin yang xiao zhang）Interdependence between yin and yang 阴阳互根 （yin yang hu gen）Mutual convertibility of yin and yang 阴阳转化（yin yang zhuan hua）Opposition of yin and yangYin and Yang ar

15、e opposite to each other in nature.Yin and Yang constantly repel and restrain each other. e.g. as incompatible as fire and waterWane and wax of yin and yangInteraction of yin and yang is a dynamic equilibrium.One side is developing while the other side is declining and vice versa. yin waning while y

16、ang waxing yin waxing while yang waning yang waning leading to yin waxing yang waxing leading to yin waningApplication Natural phenomena: seasonal changes: warmth and heat in Spring and summer: coolness and coldness in Autumn and Winter24节气（ the twenty-four solar terms）Physiology: dynamic equilibriu

17、m activation & restraintPathology: imbalance of yin and yang Diagnosis and treatment: contrary treatmentUnder normal condition, wane and wax between yin and yang are maintained to a certain range. Example: seasonal changesIf wane and wax between yin and yang exceeds the normal range, imbalance o

18、f yin and yang will arise: relative predominance or relative decline of either yin or yang. A timely snow promises a good harvest.Interdependence between yin and yangYin and yang are rooted in each other.Yin and yang depend on each other for existence. Each interrelates, interpenetrates, and is inte

19、rdependent upon the other.Solitary yang cannot exist; solitary yin cannot grow.Application: qi and blood treatment of blood deficiencyMutual dependence Yang growing while yin flourishing 阳生阴长 （yang sheng yin zhang） Yang receding while yin concealing 阳杀阴藏 （yang sha yin cang） the sun,the temperature o

20、f the weather-Yang the plants,the animal on the earth-YinspringwinterMutual convertibility of yin and yangIf yin or yang wanes or waxes to the extreme point, it will turn to the opposite.Yin may be transformed into yang and vice versa under certain conditions. example 1: seasonal changes; heaven and

21、 earth example 2: extreme cold generates heat 寒极生热 (han ji sheng re); extreme heat generates cold 热极生寒 (re ji sheng han)for example:wateryin yangrainyang yangHealth is defined as the poised balance between Yin-Yang, and sickness is the result of a deficiency or excess, a Yin-Yang disharmony.Yin-Yang

22、 harmony is sustaining adaptability and equilibrium. Yin Yang in Balance 阴阳平衡 yin yang ping heng ，阴平阳秘 yin ping yang miLinear Illustration of Yin Yang Balance陰陽Yin Yang Balance （relative equilibrium)Practical Applications of Yin-Yang Theory in Chinese Medicine1. Yin-Yang analysis of anatomy2. Yin-Ya

23、ng analysis of physiologic activity3. Yin-Yang analysis of pathologic change4. General principles of diagnosis5. Treatment and medicationYin-Yang analysis of anatomyYin-Yang analysis of physiologic activityNormal activities of life result from the balance between yin and yang: structure & functi

24、onHarmony between structure and function signifies the opposition and unity between yin and yang.Yin-Yang analysis of pathologic changeDisease-Imbalance between yin and yang:Relative predominance/excess of yin or yangRelative decline/deficiency of yin or yangYin Yang ImbalanceYin ExcessYangdeficienc

25、y(cold syndrome of excess type)Yang Deficiency causing yin excess（Cold syndrome of deficiency type）Yang ExcessYindeficiency（heat syndrome of excess type）Yang DeficiencyYin ExcessRelativeYin DeficiencyYangExcessRelative Yin deficiency causing yang excess（heat syndrome of deficiency type）Yin EvilYang

26、Evil Yang excess causing yin deficiency 阳胜则阴病 （yang sheng ze yin bing） Heat syndromes caused by an excess of yang 阳胜则热 （yang sheng ze re） Yin excess causing yang deficiency 阴胜则阳病 （yin sheng ze yang bing）Imbalance of Yin and YangCold syndromes caused by a deficiency of yang 阳虚则寒（yang xu ze han）Mutual

27、 consumption of yin and yang 阴阳两虚（yin yang liang xu）Flaming up of evil fireGeneral principles of diagnosisClinically all kinds of diseases can be generalized and analyzed with the theory of yin and yang.In clinical differentiation of syndromes, yin and yang must be first distinguished, then can the root cause of the disease be fully understood.Treatment and medicationDetermination of the Principle of Treatment. Predominance of yin or yang Deficiency/decline of yin or yangGeneralization of the properties of drugs. Four properties/nature of herbs: cold, hot, warm and cool Fiver flavor