The Theory of Yin and Yang

At first , the theory of yin and yang was found in the classic book " Zhou Yi " (Canon of Changes ) . It was a spontaneous and naive dialectic philosophy in ancient China . Through development , the theory of yin and yang gradually became the general program elucidating the structure of the entire cosmos.

In Sinomedicine ( Traditional Chinese Medicine ) , the theory of yin and yang is used to explain physiological functions and pathological changes of the human body , and direct clinical diagnosis and treatment . Therefore , the theory of yin and yang is an important component in Sinomedicine.

1. Basic Concepts of Yin and Yang

Through observation of natural phenomena , the ancients recognized that every thing had two mutually opposed aspects , opposing each other and connecting each other . The ancients used yin and yang to generalize these two aspects , taking the interaction , movement , production and change of yin and yang as the program explaining changes of all things.

Yin and yang are the basic law of nature , the program of all things , the basis of changes and the origin of the processes in which things go through the beginning to the ending . Therefore , all things consist of yin and yang which are two opposed aspects , and the generation , development and change of all things are the results of mutual movement of the opposed yin and yang aspects .

Generally speaking , movableness , hotness , upperness , outside , brightness , hyperfunction , excitation , sturdiness ... are yang ; while quietness , coldness , lowerness , inside , dimness , decline , inhibition , weakness ... are yin .

Yin and yang properties of things are relative . On one side , yin can transform into yang and yang can transform into yin under certain conditions . On the other side , yin and yang can be subdivided into yin and yang . That is to say , there are yin and yang within yin , and there are yin and yang within yang . All things can be classified into yin-category and yang-category , any thing can be divided into yin-aspect and yang-aspect as well , and yin-aspect or yang-aspect can still be subdivided infinitely into yin and yang .

The law of movement of yin and yang shows in the following four aspects :

(1).Interdependence between yin and yang

Both yin and yang presuppose the existence of its opposed aspect . If any aspect seperates from the other opposed aspect , it can not exist alone .

(2).Growth and decline of yin and yang

Both yin and yang are not in the state of standstill and changelessness , while they are in movement and change of mutual growth and decline , i. e. " decline of yang and growth of yin " or " decline of yin and growth of yang " .

(3).