The Basic Concept of the Theory of Yin-Yang
The theory of yin-yang is a perspective and methodology originated in ancient China with the unity of opposites being its central premise. Yin-Yang is the generalization of the two opposite aspects of things or phenomena which are interrelated in the natural worlds. Yin and yang represent not only the two inter-opposite things or forces, but also the two inter-opposite aspects existing within one object.
The theory of yin-yang is a perspective and methodology originated in ancient China with the unity of opposites being its central premise. Yin-Yang is the generalization of the two opposite aspects of things or phenomena which are interrelated in the natural worlds. Yin and yang represent not only the two inter-opposite things or forces, but also the two inter-opposite aspects existing within one object.
Two requirements must be met when we describe the unity of opposites in terms of yin-yang: relativity, the interrelationship between the opposites, and property stipulation, the rules defining the properties of Yin-Yang.
Relativity refers to the fact that things or phenomena must belong to the same unity and be interrelated with each other. For example, water and fire are different states and phenomena of material existence in the nature. They are interrelated and inter-opposed. Water is cold in nature and flows downward while fire is hot and flames upward. So water pertains to yin and fire to yang. In fact, yin and yang in the theory are just an abstract conception of properties. They are not the actually uninterrelated objects themselves.
The property stipulation means that yin or yang are used to both describe the two opposite aspects in the same unity and represent the certain properties of the two opposing aspects. It means the two naturally interrelated opposite aspects of an object or phenomenon have different properties of their own: yang equal to that of activeness, progressiveness, and firmness and things or phenomena of these properties , and yin that of inactiveness, decline, and softness and things or phenomena of these properties. But the properties of yin and yang possessed by two opposing two aspects should not be defined arbitrarily or inverted randomly because of the properties' relativity. They are determined by such factors as their nature, position, or tendencies.
Relativity refers to the fact that things or phenomena must belong to the same unity and be interrelated with each other. For example, water and fire are different states and phenomena of material existence in the nature. They are interrelated and inter-opposed. Water is cold in nature and flows downward while fire is hot and flames upward. So water pertains to yin and fire to yang. In fact, yin and yang in the theory are just an abstract conception of properties. They are not the actually uninterrelated objects themselves.
The property stipulation means that yin or yang are used to both describe the two opposite aspects in the same unity and represent the certain properties of the two opposing aspects. It means the two naturally interrelated opposite aspects of an object or phenomenon have different properties of their own: yang equal to that of activeness, progressiveness, and firmness and things or phenomena of these properties , and yin that of inactiveness, decline, and softness and things or phenomena of these properties. But the properties of yin and yang possessed by two opposing two aspects should not be defined arbitrarily or inverted randomly because of the properties' relativity. They are determined by such factors as their nature, position, or tendencies.
According to the theory of yin-yang, everything in the natural world is made up of two opposing aspects - yin and yang, and the constant changes of their relations are the root cause of the formation and development of the world. Unity of opposites is the general principles of the development of the material world. TCM holds that yin-yang is both the fundamental law in the natural world and the origin of growth, development, change, and decline.
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