Theory of yin-yang

Theory of yin-yang

Teaching objects • Basic concept of yin-yang • Properties of yin and yang • Basic content of the theory of yin and yang • Application of theory of yin and yang in TCM

Yin and yang is a general term for two opposite aspects of things or phenomena in nature, which are interrelated with each other.

Initially, yin and yang refer to the light and darkness of the sunlight, anything that is exposed to the sun belongs to yang, and that is unexposed to the sun belongs to yin.

The range of the concept of yin and yang was broadened • It represent the two opposite things • It represent the two opposite sides of the same thing

Being active, upward, outward, warm, bright, and so on Yang Being still, downward, inward cold, dim, and so on yin

The theory of yin and yang It is an ancient Chinese philosophy, serving as a perspective and methodology for ancient Chinese people to explore origination and change of the universe. It’s main task is to research the connotation of yin and yang as well as the movement laws and changes of yin and yang, and to explain occurrence, development and change of all things in the universe.

Some examples for Yin-yang properties of things • Yang----Heaven, big, sun, day, fire, upward, active, male, Spring and Summer, warm, bright, function, et. al. • Yin----Earth, small, moon, night, water, downward, still, female, Autumn and Winter, cold, dim, material et. al.

In medical field Any materials and functions which have the feature of promoting, warming or exciting Yang Yin Any materials and functions which have the feature of coagulating, moistening and inhibiting

Properties of yin and yang • Generality of yin and yang • Correlation of yin and yang • Relativity of yin yang • Infinite divisibility of yin and yang

Generality of yin and yang Yin and yang is the generalization to every two related objects or phenomena in material nature. e.g. Heaven pertain to yang while earth belong to yin Man pertain to yang while woman to yin

Correlation of yin and yang we should definite the Yin-yang property in the range of the correlated objects or phenomena. e.g. Heaven and earth are the two opposite sides in universe Man and woman aims at the sex

Relativity of yin and yang e.g. Human bodyviscera Yang back fu organs Yin Chest and abdomen zang organs

Infinite divisibility of yin and yang Each of two opposite objects with yin-yang properties and each of two opposite aspects in a single object can be further divided into yin and yang aspect. e.g. Fu organs pertain to yang, zang organs to yin; heart and lung belong to yang, while the remaining three zang organs pertain to yin. Heart can be subdivided into heart-yin and heart-yang

Basic content of the theory of yin and yang • Intercourse and mutual containing of yin and yang • Opposition and restriction between yin and yang • Interdependence and complementation between yin and yang • Waning and waxing and equilibrium of yin and yang • Inter-transformation between yin and yang • Natural harmony of yin and yang

Intercourse and mutual containing of yin and yang Intercourse of yin and yang Yin within yang: celestial qi descending Yang within yin: terrestrial qi ascending Yin ascending and yang descending, intercourse and combination of yin and yang Origin of things

Yang Yin

Opposition and restriction between yin and yang It means that yin and yang, opposite in nature, struggle against, restrain and repel each other. e.g. upper, left, heaven, water, warm……. lower, right, earth, fire, cold……

Interdependence and complementation between yin and yang It indicates that yin and yang depend on and root in each other. a. Either of two opposite aspects of yin and yang takes its opposite as a prerequisite for its existence, and neither can exist alone in isolation. Without the heaven, there would be no the earth b. Yin and yang could generate, promote and foster each other. Qi belongs to yang and blood to yin. Qi is the marshal of blood and blood is the mother of qi

Waning and waxing and equilibrium of yin and yang It means that the two aspects of yin and yang are always kept in a relative dynamic equilibrium to a certain range in the constant movement and change in which one wanes (decreases) while the other waxes (increases) Opposition and restriction of yin and yang Alternate waning and waxing Waning and waxing of yin and yang interdependence and complementation of yin and yang simultaneous waning and waxing

Yin waning leading to yang waxing e.g. variation of the four seasons Yang waning leading to yin waxing Alternate waning and waxing Yin waxing leading to yang waning Yang waxing leading to yin waning

Yin waning while yang waning Yang waning while yin waning human simultaneous waning and waxing Eating food Yin waxing while yang waxing hungry Yin is insufficient Yang waxing while yin waxing Yang qi is deficient

Inter-transformation between yin and yang Develops to a certain stage Waning and waxing of and yang Inter-transformation between yin and yang The given conditions are meet

Natural harmony of yin and yang It refers to that two aspects of yin and yang are able to and tend to automatically maintain and reestablish the state of harmony and equilibrium.

Application of theory of yin and yang in TCM (1) To explain morphology and structure of the human body e.g. chest and abdomen, lower part, yin meridians, blood……. back, upper part, yang meridians, qi…… (2) To explain physiological functions of the human body e.g. Yin qi Yang qi

Application of theory of yin and yang in TCM (3) To explain pathological changes of the human body • preponderance of yin or yang • decline of yin or yang • simultaneous of yin and yang • inter-transformation and repelling of yin and yang

Application of theory of yin and yang in TCM (4) To guide clinical diagnosis It is to differentiate yin or yang properties of a certain syndrome (5) To treat diseases Reducing excess e.g. To determine the therapeutic principles Supplementing insufficiency To generalize properties and actions of Chinese drugs

Theory of yin-yang