CH 2.1: Yin-Yang Theory

Question 1

What are the three ancient philosophical foundations of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)?

Answer 1

1. Monoism of qi (气一元论)
2. Theories of Yin-Yang (阴阳学说)
3. Theory of the Five Elements (五行学说)

Question 2

What is the origin of all things in the universe according to the monism of qi?

Answer 2

Qi is the origin of all things in the universe. It moves and transforms constantly, producing all things, including human life and activities.

Question 3

How is qi related to yin and yang?

Answer 3

Qi is initially one, then divides into yin and yang, forming the contradictory unity of yin and yang.

Question 4

What is the original meaning of yin and yang?

Answer 4

Yin and yang originally referred to orientations relative to the sun: “facing the sun” is yang, and “facing away from the sun” is yin.

Question 5

What are some examples of attributes of yin and yang?

Answer 5

• Space: Yin (lower, internal) vs. Yang (upper, external).
• Time: Yin (night) vs. Yang (day).
• Season: Yin (autumn, winter) vs. Yang (spring, summer).
• Temperature: Yin (cold, cool) vs. Yang (warm, hot).

Question 6

How are yin and yang relative concepts?

Answer 6

Yin and yang are relative, not absolute. For instance, water is yin relative to fire but yang relative to ice.

Question 7

What are the five key aspects of yin-yang theory?

Answer 7

1. Opposition of Yin and Yang (阴阳对立)
2. Interdependence of Yin and Yang (阴阳互根)
3. Wane-Wax of Yin and Yang (阴阳消长)
4. Intertransformation of Yin and Yang (阴阳转化)
5. Balance of Yin and Yang (阴阳平衡)

Question 8

What does the opposition of yin and yang describe?

Answer 8

It describes the contradictory and mutually restrictive relationship between yin and yang, such as warm vs. cold or ascending vs. descending.

Question 9

What does the interdependence of yin and yang mean?

Answer 9

It means yin and yang rely on each other for existence. For example, without up (yang), there is no down (yin), and without heat (yang), there is no cold (yin).

Question 10

What is wane-wax of yin-yang?

Answer 10

It describes the dynamic and quantitative changes in yin and yang. For example, as yang waxes (increases), yin wanes (decreases), and vice versa.

Question 11

When does intertransformation of yin and yang occur?

Answer 11

It occurs under specific conditions, such as when yin or yang reaches its extreme. For example, extreme cold (yin) can transform into heat (yang).

Question 12

Why is the balance of yin-yang important?

Answer 12

A harmonious balance of yin and yang maintains health. Imbalance can lead to disease.

Question 13

How is yin-yang theory used to attribute tissue structure in the human body?

Answer 13

• Upper body: Yang; Lower body: Yin
• Exterior (surface): Yang; Interior: Yin
• Zang (solid organs): Yin; Fu (hollow organs): Yang

Question 14

How does yin-yang theory explain physiological functions?

Answer 14

• Substance pertains to yin, and function pertains to yang.
• Dynamic movement of yin and yang qi, such as ascending and descending, illustrates life activity.

Question 15

How does yin-yang theory explain pathological changes?

Answer 15

1. Imbalance between yin and yang is the root cause of disease.
2. Disease manifests as either superiority (excess) or inferiority (deficiency) of yin or yang.

Question 16

What are examples of yin and yang superiority?

Answer 16

• Superiority of Yang: Excessive heat, flushed face, thirst, restlessness.
• Superiority of Yin: Excessive cold, cold limbs, pale tongue, loose stools.

Question 17

What are examples of yin and yang inferiority?

Answer 17

• Inferiority of Yang: Deficiency cold, aversion to cold, fatigue, loose stools.
• Inferiority of Yin: Deficiency heat, night sweats, dry mouth, red tongue.

Question 18

How does yin-yang theory guide TCM treatments?

Answer 18

Treatments aim to rebalance yin and yang through:
- Dispersing excess yin or yang.
- Tonifying deficient yin or yang.
- Adjusting yin-yang based on syndrome differentiation.

Question 19

Provide an example of yin transforming into yang.

Answer 19

Extreme cold (yin) can transform into heat (yang) under certain conditions, such as during severe weather changes or in chronic illnesses.

Question 20

How does the theory of yin-yang relate to seasonal changes?

Answer 20

• Spring and summer (yang): Growth and activity dominate.
• Autumn and winter (yin): Storage and rest dominate.