Excerpted from Ke Yiyang's "Introduction to the Book of Changes"
Zhou Dunyi's "Tai Chi Illustration" has this description: "Wuji and Tai Chi. When Tai Chi moves, it generates Yang, and when it moves, it produces Yang. Quietness produces yin, and when it is still, it becomes still. Each movement is the root of each other. Yin is divided into yang, and the two forms are established. This is why "Yi has Tai Chi, which produces two forms." "The two qi (Yin and Yang) (Ke Yi Dao's note: originally "Qi") interact with each other to transform all things. All things are born, and the changes are infinite." This is the best and most complete explanation of the concept of Yin and Yang by ancient Yi scholars. Although this explanation is detailed, it is too abstract and general, so it is difficult to understand. Below we will analyze it from the perspective of different disciplines. We all know binary numbers. The discovery of binary directly led to the invention of electronic calculators and computers, and allowed computers to be rapidly popularized, entering all walks of life, and becoming an important tool for human life and production. The essence of binary is to describe events through two numbers "0" and "1". In many fields such as human production and life, we can use computers to virtually describe events that exist in reality, and simulate the changing patterns of events through given conditions and parameters. Binary computers are almost omnipotent and can perfectly replicate the real world we live in, and can also simulate various experiments that are difficult to achieve in the real world according to the conditions given by us humans. However, no matter how varied, perfect, or complex the picture the computer can give us, its origin is just simple "0" and "1". "0" and "1" are simulated through different combinations and recombinations in the computer to create a complex and all-encompassing virtual world.
Leibniz confessed on his deathbed and admitted in the 1716 "Letter to Mr. Drymond - On the Deism of China" that his binary system originated from the process and approach of the "Book of Changes" .
In the Book of Changes, our predecessors sages all affirmed without doubt that yin and yang are the basis of the world. They constantly used yin and yang to combine and recombine to describe the changing laws of all things in the world - Bagua. Here we use binary to replace the concepts of yin and yang. We use "yin" to represent "0" and "yang" to represent "1". The binary system of numbers is equivalent to the "yin" and "yang" in nature. There are two "energy"s that are unified by two opposites. So the same is binary, the same is yin and yang. Since the binary "0" and "1" can create a virtual and complicated world through the computer, why can't the yin and yang in nature form everything in the real world? Of course it can, because the two energies of yin and yang that actually exist in nature are virtual binaries in the computer world. Therefore, the "yin and yang" energy in nature is like the "binary" in a computer, truly constituting our complex "everything" world. The difference is that "yin and yang" in nature have a unified relationship of opposites. The two "yin and yang" energies have their own characteristics and laws, and they constantly interact and influence, while the "0" and "1" in the computer can only follow our Operating under the conditions given by humans cannot reflect the characteristics of the unity of opposites of yin and yang energy in the real world, and cannot completely replicate all the characteristics and laws of "yin" and "yang" in the real world.
In the "Book of Changes", we know that all "Gua" are composed of two types of Yao: "Yin Yao" and "Yang Yao". The "Yin and Yang Yao" in Yi Xue not only inherits The symbol of "Yin and Yang" in nature also replicates the law of opposition and unity of Yin and Yang energy in nature, and simulates the mutual influence and interaction of Yin and Yang energy through text symbols such as Yin and Yang, the five elements, stems and branches, and the graphic symbols of "Gua". Although it cannot give people a perceptual understanding as vividly and practically as a computer can, it can tell us abstractly the existence and evolution laws of "all things" in the real world through the changing laws of yin and yang and simple symbols.
So the "yin" and "yang" of the natural world serve as the basis to truly create the complex real world. The "0" and "1" of the computer vividly simulate all phenomena in the real world. The "Yin" in Yi Xue "Gua" and "Yin and Yang Yao" abstractly reveal the events existing in nature and their changing laws.
So Confucius said that "one yin and one yang are the way." (See "The Book of Changes and the Formula of All Things" for details)
In addition, Yin and Yang are two species concepts "Yin (Collection An incompatibility relationship between "set Y)". The connotations of yin and yang negate each other. One concept "Yin set" affirms the attributes of the object Yin and denies the attributes of "Yang"; the other concept "Yang set" negates the attributes affirmed by the concept of Yin and affirms the attributes of "Yang"; The extensions of yin and yang are mutually exclusive (X∩Y=0), but complementary (X∪Y=U=1,1-Y=X), and their sum is equal to the extension of their nearest genus concept (the unified whole of opposites), that is The sum or union of the extension of the two species concepts Yin and Yang (X+Y=X∪Y=U). Confucius said in "Xici": "One yin and one yang are the way." According to the results of our modern language and scientific research, the understanding of this sentence should be: there are yin and yang in nature, which are the two energies of yin and yang that are the unity of opposites. They are the basis of everything. Everything in the world is composed of the basic yin and yang. Made of energy. The interaction between these two energies and the infinite element produces two primary particles, Yin and Yang, which are the basis of all higher-order particles, material particles and matter.
The model we use to completely describe the formation process of Yin and Yang "particles" and energy should be like this:
1. In the early days of the Tai Chi world, the Wuji elements were combined at zero distance Constructing a Tai Chi world;
2. When the distance between the Wuji elements increases, from zero to a positive distance, the Wuji elements will have Yang energy, which we call Yang." string". This whole body composed of Yang "strings" and Wuji elements is called "Yang particles". During the formation process, these "particles" will release "Yin energy";
3. When Wuji elements When the distance between them decreases, from zero to a negative distance, there is yin energy between the infinite elements. The "string" with yin energy is a yin "string", and the "particle" that combines yin energy and the infinite element is Called "yin particles", yin particles will release yang energy during the formation process;
4. Whether they are "yin strings" or "yang strings", they are dynamic; whether they are "yang strings" Particles" or "yin particles", their structures are all three-dimensional.
In addition, Yin and Yang are represented by the two symbols "--" and "-" respectively in Yi Xue. In order to facilitate understanding, we can convert them into our commonly used physics symbols and use "E" to represent them. Represents Yang energy, use "P" to represent the infinite element and energy combination with Yang "string" - Yang particles; use "E" to represent Yin energy, use "P" to represent the Wuji with Yin "string" Yuan and energy combination----yin particles. In this way, the model of Tai Chi and Liang Yi is completed, as shown in the figure of Tai Chi and Liang Yi. This picture not only abstractly describes the Tai Chi world - the basic nature of space. For the basic characteristics of the Tai Chi world, please refer to "The View of the Universe in Traditional Yixue" and will not be repeated here. Moreover, this Tai Chi Liang Yi diagram also abstractly simulates the beginning of the differentiation of the Tai Chi world - the formation of yin and yang energy and particles. (For detailed discussion, please refer to my work "On Yin and Yang Energy and Particles") "Zhuangzi·Tianxia" says that "Yin and Yang can be easily understood." Yin-Yang and the Five Elements are the foundation of Yi learning and the foundation of traditional Chinese medicine. Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes the integrity of the human body, and then divides the whole body into two opposite and unified attributes - yin and yang. The theory of traditional Chinese medicine believes that human disease is due to the imbalance of yin and yang in the human body. The fundamental treatment of disease is the process of helping patients adjust yin and yang to achieve a balance of yin and yang. If a person's yin and yang are balanced, the body will naturally be healthy.
In traditional Chinese medicine, internal and external, cold and heat, deficiency and excess are a group of opposite but unified positive and negative phenomena - yin and yang - that are manifested in the disease process. In terms of the opposition between positive and negative aspects of each group, external syndrome, heat syndrome, and empirical syndrome can be classified into the category of yang syndrome; internal syndrome, cold syndrome, and deficiency syndrome can be classified into the category of yin syndrome. Therefore, all diseases and syndromes can be classified as yin syndrome or yang syndrome in the general principle of the eight principles of yin and yang.
1. Yin syndrome: dark complexion, lethargy, tired body and cold limbs, shortness of breath and laziness, lack of thirst, clear urine and loose stools, pale tongue, deep and thready pulse.
2. Yang syndrome: flushed face and hot body, irritability and thick breath, loud voice, thirsty and cold drinks, red urine and dry stools, yellow coating, and weak and rapid pulse.
In addition, clinically there are syndromes such as Yin deficiency and Yang deficiency, Yin deficiency and Yang deficiency.
3. Yin deficiency: due to insufficient yin fluid, "yin deficiency generates internal heat". The main symptoms are low-grade fever with red cheekbones, hot palms, soles, and soles, night sweats, dry mouth and throat, scanty and yellow urine, constipation, red tongue without coating, thin and floating pulse, and no pulse if taken again.
4. Yang deficiency: due to insufficient Yang Qi, "Yang deficiency results in cold". The main symptoms are aversion to cold, cold limbs, fatigue, spontaneous sweating, long and clear urine, polyuria at night, loose stools, white coating, pale tongue, and thready and weak pulse.
5. Death of yin: irritability, thirst and desire to drink, asthma, oily and hot sweat, tame limbs, red and dry tongue, strong or rapid pulse, and weakness of pressing.
6. Death of yang: cold sweat, aversion to cold, cold hands and feet, weak breath, preference for hot drinks, pale tongue, weak pulse. More common in patients with shock.
The mutual support and restraint of the five elements has become a means of regulating the balance of yin and yang in traditional Chinese medicine. For example: the lungs belong to metal, then "fur" and "nose" also belong to metal; the liver belongs to wood, then the liver governs tendons and the liver opens the eyes; "tendons" and "eyes" also belong to wood; the kidneys belong to water, then "bones" and "Ears" and "two yins" also belong to water; the heart belongs to fire, so the "pulse" and "tongue" also belong to fire; the spleen belongs to earth, so the "flesh" and "mouth" also belong to earth. Traditional Chinese medicine will adjust the balance of yin and yang in the human body according to the method of wood generating fire, fire generating earth, earth generating metal, metal generating water, water generating wood; wood overpowering earth, earth overcoming water, water overcoming fire, fire overcoming metal, and metal overcoming wood, thereby achieving the overall health of the human body. healthy.
Although we modern people cannot fully understand the essence of Yin and Yang and the Five Elements, we can indeed bring health to humans and reduce diseases based on this theory of the harmony of Yin and Yang and the Five Elements. Some medical scientists advocate abandoning traditional Chinese medicine, just like we abandoned the "Book of Changes" and ancient Chinese culture. I hope this stupid idea will not become a reality, because the theory of traditional Chinese medicine is the best theory among all medicines. Its research content has penetrated into the origin of the human body, while Western medicine only passes through our eyes from an anatomical point of view. The rules and theories summarized from the things and phenomena seen. This theory cannot be compared with traditional Chinese medicine. Some of our medical experts are too impetuous. If they cannot understand such advanced knowledge and theories, they think it is rubbish and should be discarded. I personally think that if we modern Yi-Xue researchers truly explore Yi-Xue pragmatically (instead of relying on the great tree of Yi-Xue and pretending to be a Yi-Xue master to tell fortunes and cheat money), Chinese medicine (including acupuncture and tendonology) will surely lead the trend of world medicine. .
Medical Application
In the theoretical system of traditional Chinese medicine, the ideas of yin and yang theory are reflected everywhere. The theory of yin and yang is used to explain the tissue structure, physiological functions and pathological changes of the human body, and to guide the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
In ancient Chinese medicine, exterior and interior, cold and heat, deficiency and excess are all groups of positive and negative phenomena that are both opposite but unified in the disease process. Traditional Chinese medicine uses yin and yang to summarize these positive and negative phenomena.
1. Yin syndrome: dark complexion, lethargy, tired body and cold limbs, shortness of breath and laziness, lack of thirst, clear urine and loose stools, pale tongue, deep and thready pulse.
2. Yang syndrome: flushed face and hot body, irritability and thick breath, loud voice, thirsty and cold drinks, red urine and dry stools, yellow coating, and weak and rapid pulse.
In addition, clinically there are syndromes such as Yin deficiency and Yang deficiency, Yin deficiency and Yang deficiency. Although there are yin and yang in the names of these diseases and syndromes, they are essentially deficiency syndromes and should be classified as yin syndromes.
3. Yin deficiency: due to insufficient Yin fluid, "Yin deficiency generates internal heat". The main symptoms are low-grade fever with red cheekbones, hot palms, soles, and soles, night sweats, dry mouth and throat, scanty and yellow urine, constipation, red tongue without coating, thin and floating pulse, and no pulse if taken again.
4. Yang deficiency: due to insufficient Yang Qi, "Yang deficiency results in cold". The main symptoms are aversion to cold, cold limbs, fatigue and weakness, spontaneous sweating, long and clear urine, loose stools, white coating, pale tongue, thin and weak pulse.
6. Death of yang: cold sweat, aversion to cold, cold hands and feet, weak breath, preference for hot drinks, pale tongue, weak pulse. Tai Chi generates two rituals, namely yin and yang, yin and yang become four images, four images generate Bagua, and Bagua generates 64 hexagrams. Every step of biochemistry here is a further manifestation of Tai Chi Sheng Liang Yi. The beginning of Tai Chi is a time of chaos, when yin and yang are not separated. The emergence of yin and yang is the first step in the change of things. The combination of yin and yang again to give birth to four images is the second step of change, followed by Bagua, 64 hexagrams and even infinity. Therefore, yin and yang are the foundation of Yi learning prediction and the foundation of Yi learning. If we want to truly master the predictions of Yixue, we must first understand Yin and Yang and master the essence of Yin and Yang, otherwise we will not be able to understand the true meaning of Yixue. Yin and Yang are a contradictory unity of opposites. It is generally understood that Yin and Yang have four major elements---opposition of Yin and Yang, transformation of Yin and Yang, growth and decline of Yin and Yang, and mutual roots of Yin and Yang.
Opposite of Yin and Yang
Opposite of Yin and Yang. In the above chapters, we discussed the nature of the unity of opposites of Yin and Yang. The unity of the opposites of Yin and Yang is a necessary condition for the existence of Tai Chi and an inevitable result of the development of Tai Chi. In the Book of Changes, wood and fire are yang at the anode, and metal and water are yin at the cathode. In the horoscope prediction, when a fate is established, no matter what pattern it is, there will always be gods to use and gods to avoid. Therefore, a good destiny must be one in which the yin and yang of the stems and branches are balanced. Therefore, the destiny book says: Even if the cold is severe, it must be warm and have Qi; even if it is warm, it must be cold and have roots, so that all things can be produced. If it is extremely cold but warm and breathless, if it is extremely warm but cold has no roots, there will be no wonder of generation. Therefore, if it is too cold, it will be beautiful if it is not warm. If it is too warm, it is better to have no cold. Extreme cold is an opportunity for extreme warmth, and warmth is a sign of extreme cold. The so-called cathode produces yang, and the anode produces yin. This is an unchanging law of nature.
The transformation of yin and yang and the waxing and waning of yin and yang
The transformation of yin and yang and the waxing and waning of yin and yang. "Book of Changes" says, "Where a gentleman lives and is at peace, this is the preface of the Book of Changes." The sequence of the changes here can be understood in many ways. The first is the sequence of the 64 hexagrams; the second is the sequence of the five elements; the third is the sequence of the four images. But no matter which sequence it is, it is ultimately the function and transformation sequence of yin and yang. Here we first explain it from the perspective of the four images and the five elements. Wood generates fire, fire generates earth, earth generates metal, and metal generates water. This is the cycle of the five elements that can never be broken. Looking at the four seasons, spring, summer, autumn and winter are also natural rules that are independent of human will. After spring, there must be summer, and "wood energy" must develop in the direction of "fire energy". In the summer, when the Yang energy is extremely strong, it will turn to Yin, which is autumn. After autumn, it will be winter, and the "gold energy" will develop in the direction of "water energy". This also profoundly reveals the development laws of nature and society. If a person's luck can adapt to the development laws of nature and society, he will receive help from nature and society, which is auspicious; otherwise, it will be unfavorable. In the horoscope prediction technique, the growth and decline of yin and yang and the transformation of yin and yang both refer to the changing state of the yin and yang qi (energy) in the destiny. Yin and Yang also show the nature of growth and decline while transforming. For example: there are 12 hours in a day, and noon is the noon hour, which is the peak of yang. This moment is also the moment when yin is born. As time goes by, yang is constantly disappearing, while yin is constantly growing, and yang is transformed into yin. , and oneself are constantly disappearing, reaching the extreme of yin in the Zi period. From this moment on, yin tends to disappear and yang tends to grow. In addition, the original pattern of the Bazi is static, and only the effect of the passing of the Universiade will make the overall Bazi-Universiade present a dynamic pattern. The Grand Luck is a reminder of the luck of the Japanese Lord in ten years. Whether a certain Grand Luck will be yin and yang, or yin and yang will disappear, mainly depends on whether the Grand Luck promotes the God of Use or the God of Enemy. The rise and fall of the God of Use and the God of Enemy is beneficial. The balance of yin and yang in the horoscope indicates good luck, and vice versa.
Yin and Yang are mutually rooted
Yin and Yang are mutually rooted: Yang is in Yin, and Yin is in Yang; Yin cannot grow alone, and Yang alone cannot grow; Yin cannot grow without Yang, Without yin, yang cannot be transformed, so heaven and earth are matched with yin and yang. Therefore, yin and yang are mutually rooted. Only the harmony of yin and yang can all things come into being. The longevity points of metal, wood, water, and fire are all at the starting point of the previous five elements. Yin, Shen, Si, and Hai are the four immortal moons. A value of the five elements actually indicates the entry of the next five elements.
The four seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter cycle back and forth, and they never exist alone at any time. Extreme cold is the opportunity for warmth, and warmth is the sign of extreme cold. The so-called cathode produces yang, and the anode produces yin. This is the natural principle of heaven and earth. The development and changes of anything are not isolated. Without contradictions, there would be no world. Without contradictions and the resolution of contradictions, there would be no development and changes. This theory of the unity of contradictions and opposites is one of the basic viewpoints of materialist dialectics. Yin and Yang are the concept of the unity of opposites in the development of things.
Yin and Yang first appear to be identical. Because both yin and yang are transformed from Tai Chi - that is, Tai Chi gives birth to Liang Yi, so their "bodies" are the same and originate from Tai Chi. The reason why Yin and Yang show different properties and characteristics is because Their "uses" are just different; Yin and Yang are interdependent. Without one, the other cannot be produced. Yin is the affirmation of the existence of Yang, and Yang is the affirmation of the existence of Yin. So yin and yang are the same.
Secondly, Yin and Yang are fighting and negating each other, because Yin is not Yang, and Yang is not Yin. This concept is just like when we divide living things into animals and plants. Animals are definitely not plants, and plants are definitely not animals.
Finally, the identity and struggle of Yin and Yang are interconnected. Identity is the identity of both yin and yang opposites. It is premised on the difference and opposition between opposites. The struggle is the struggle between yin and yang within the unity of Tai Chi. In the mutual struggle between yin and yang opposites, there is interdependence between the two sides, mutual penetration and even mutual transformation.
Yin-Yang philosophy studies the origin and change of the universe, space, heaven and earth, and all things, and based on the origin and change of nature, it deduces the change of living bodies and human society.
First, the Yin-Yang theory is used to explain the generation and changes of space, heaven and earth. Classical Chinese philosophy and related religions firmly believe that after space emerges from the infinite world, it first appears in a state of chaos, then the clear yang rises to become the sky, and the turbid yin sinks to become the earth. Therefore, the clear yang becomes the sky and the turbid yin becomes the earth. The result of modern physics research is that after the creation of space and time, basic particles further form material particles, atoms, and molecules, and then matter is produced. Matter continuously interacts and aggregates to form stars. This research result is an extension and continuation of Chinese classical philosophy. It is also an affirmation of the classical Chinese philosophical theories, especially the Yin and Yang theory. (For details, see my humble work "A Brief Analysis of Matter, Celestial Bodies and Life")
Second point, the Yin and Yang theory is used to explain the laws of the operation of all things. Lao Tzu said: "All things bear yin and embrace yang, and inject qi into harmony." In other words, the influence and function of yin and yang are the fundamental laws of the operation of all things and the driving force behind the changes in things. Without the role and influence of yin and yang, or in other words, if the yin and yang of this world are completely neutralized, it will return to the infinite world of zero time and space. When used on the human body, the "Huangdi Neijing" says: "Therefore, clear yang leaves the upper orifices, and turbid yin goes out of the lower orifices; clear yang sends out the internal organs, and turbid yin travels to the five Tibetans; clear yang strengthens the limbs, and turbid yin returns to the six mansions. ”
The third point is that the Yin and Yang theory is used to explain the law of life changes. Life is an integral part of nature and a subset of nature, so the changing laws of life must obey the changing laws of nature. In ancient China, birth, growth, collection, and storage were used to illustrate the changing forms and processes of life, and the driving force behind this process was yin and yang. The influence and function between yin and yang arise from the four images of sun, taiyin, shaoyang and yin. Yang is for growth and yin is for elimination. Therefore, the four images of "birth, growth, collection, and storage" are formed.
In addition, if you want to understand the Four Symbols, you have to talk about the Five Elements, because the growth and collection in the life process is achieved through the mutual restraint of the Five Elements. "The General Theory of Five Elements" describes it this way: "The mechanism of creation cannot be without birth, nor without control. Without birth, development will have no basis, and without restraint, it will become overactive and cause harm. The cycle of birth and restraint runs endlessly."; Because the Five Elements are easy to learn Another important component, so it will be discussed in detail in another article.
Fourth point, the Yin and Yang theory is also used to explain the fundamental laws of human social change. If the issues discussed above are understood, this topic will not be a problem. Because human society is an integral part of nature and life, its development and changes must also follow the laws of nature and life. For this reason, Shao Yong, a famous Yi scholar, used the Four Symbols to explain the laws and processes of social changes in China over thousands of years.
To sum up, "Yin and Yang are the way of heaven and earth, the order of all things, the parents of change, the origin of life and death, and the home of the gods." ["The Yellow Emperor's Internal Classic of Yin and Yang" 》]
Summary
In short, yin and yang are first of all the two opposite and unified energies that exist in nature, forming two kinds of particles with the property of the unity of opposites. This kind of two particles with the property of the unity of opposites This kind of energy and particles are necessary and sufficient conditions to promote the changing laws of birth, growth, collection and storage of everything in nature, including human beings. The ancient Chinese sages formed the Book of Changes by observing astronomy and geography from above, observing, summarizing, summarizing and refining the natural yin and yang. They also applied the yin and yang of the Book of Changes to many fields such as medicine, military science, philosophy and prediction. He left a valuable legacy for our descendants.