The secret of the origin of the five elements Heaven is formed, earth is formed .

Mondo Culture Updated on 2024-02-07

The Five Elements Theory, as the core essence of traditional Chinese culture, reveals the composition of all things in the universe. Wood, fire, earth, metal, and water, these five basic elements, like the five fingers of life, dance separately, but together they build a harmonious world. They are interdependent, mutually restrictive, and constantly circulating, interpreting the mysteries of the universe.

This doctrine is like a vivid picture of the ancient people's understanding of the world. The Five Elements Doctrine is not a vain theory, but an outstanding representative of the ancient philosophy of naïve materialism, which analyzes the laws of nature and reveals the inner connections between all things from a unique perspective.

It is the crystallization of wisdom and the testimony of the in-depth exploration of the world by our ancestors. Today, we can still draw wisdom from it and feel the awe and exploration of the mysteries of the universe. The Five Elements Theory is not only a doctrine, but also an understanding and perception of the world.

The concept of the five elements first appeared in the Book of Shang, which simply refers to the five common natural substances of water, fire, wood, metal, and earth. However, after the continuous evolution from the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period to the Han Dynasty, the concept of the Five Elements gradually developed into a complete system model. In this system, the five elements not only represent the five substances, but are also interrelated with the elements of yin and yang, the four seasons, the five directions, and the five virtues, forming an intricate but well-organized theoretical system. Just as the growth of a life requires a balanced intake of various nutrients, the Five Elements System also reveals the interdependence and constraints between all things in the universe. By understanding the Five Elements Theory, we can better understand the laws of nature and the mysteries of the universe.

The concept of "five elements" first appeared in the two texts "Willing Oath" and "Hong Fan" in the "Book of Shang". In "Willing Oath", "There is a Hu clan that insults the five elements, neglects the three righteousness, and uses heaven to kill his life." The "five elements" here are used to refer to the five behaviors or virtues. And in "Hong Fan", "The flood of Canghuang is bubbling its five elements; The emperor is angry, not Hong Fan Jiuchou, Kun is killed, Yu is the heir, Tian is Xi Yu Hong Fan Jiuchou, Yi Lun is Xu. Five elements: one is water, two is fire, three is wood, four is gold, and five is earth. The water is moistened, the fire is said to be hot, the wood is said to be straight, the gold is said to be from the leather, and the soil is said to be the grain. Moisten the bottom for salty, the flame for bitterness, straight for sour, from leather for bitterness, grain for sweetness. The meaning and role of the five elements are described in detail here, pointing out the relationship between them and their mutual influence.

The intrinsic connection between the five elements began to be touched in the Han Dynasty. Dong Zhongshu, a thinker of the Han Dynasty, proposed in "Spring and Autumn Dew": "The qi of heaven and earth is one, divided into yin and yang, and is judged to be four times and listed as five elements." He believed that the five elements were metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, and pointed out that there was a mutually beneficial relationship between them. This relationship was also accepted and developed by later Yi scholars and medical scientists. At the same time, the five elements are also used to explain the phenomena of nature and the physiological and pathological changes of the human body.

Over time, the Five Elements Doctrine gradually developed into a vast philosophical system that involved not only the natural world and human society, but also the human body and spirit. The Five Elements doctrine has a wide range of applications in the fields of Chinese medicine, Feng Shui, and divination. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the five internal organs and internal organs of the human body correspond to the five elements, and the health and diseases of the human body are also related to the five elements. Feng Shui believes that the Qi of the Five Elements can affect the Feng Shui and good fortune in the home and tomb. Divination is based on observing the changes in the qi of the five elements to ** the future.

In the Spring and Autumn Period, the great ancestors had already put forward the idea of attribute theory and the five elements of each other's victory (gram). This is an ingenious theory that arranges wood, fire, earth, metal, and water in a certain order to form a circular sequence of numbers, implying the interrelationship and evolution of things. This thought not only reveals the contradictions and unity between things, but also reveals more deeply the importance of the structural relationship and overall grasp of things.

During this period, the Yellow Emperor's Neijing skillfully applied the Five Elements Doctrine to the field of medicine, providing important theoretical support for the study and collation of a large number of clinical experiences accumulated by ancient peoples. This application not only promoted the formation of the theoretical system of traditional Chinese medicine, but also left a strong mark in the history of the development of traditional Chinese medicine. The idea of the five elements winning each other and the application of the Five Elements Doctrine in the Yellow Emperor's Neijing fully reflect the ancient people's deep understanding and unique views on the natural world and human life. This idea not only had a profound impact at the time, but still has an important impact on the theory and clinical practice of Chinese medicine.

Published by the People's Publishing House, the book has undergone rigorous research and has high academic value. This book provides an in-depth interpretation of the I Ching, enabling readers to better understand the mysteries of the I Ching. At the same time, the book also highlights the interaction between the I Ching and modern society, providing readers with valuable inspiration.

In addition to the publication of "Tong Zi Wen Yi", the digitization of the concept of orientation in the late Shang Dynasty is also one of the important ** of the Book of Changes. In the Shang Dynasty oracle bone inscriptions, there are many records about the "four directions" and "four earths", which provide valuable information for us to understand the worldview of the Shang Dynasty. With the passage of time, the five-party concept of east, west, south, north and ** has gradually formed.

During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, the mathematical conception of orientation was gradually formed and perfected. Mozi Guiyi mentions the relationship between time sequence and orientation, such as "working at sunrise, resting at sunrise, digging wells and drinking, plowing fields and eating", revealing the intertwined rhythm of life between time and space. In the Book of Rites, Qu Lishang, there is a more detailed description: "Xing, the former Vermilion Bird (Bird) and then Xuanwu, the left green dragon and the right white tiger, swaggering above", this passage connects the direction with the celestial phenomena, and constructs a spatial model full of mystery. In the "Historical Records of the Heavenly Officials", we can see the observation records of the directions of the celestial phenomena of the four seasons, such as "the spring equinox, the east of the day, and the west of the night; On the summer solstice, the day goes north, and the night goes south; Autumn equinox, west during the day and east at night; On the winter solstice, the day goes south, and the night travels north".

In addition to these, the Five Elements Doctrine is also one of the important aspects of the digitization of the concept of orientation. This doctrine originated from the "Five Materials Theory" in the late Western Zhou Dynasty, and originally originated from the Six Mansions, namely wood, fire, earth, metal, water, and grain. Over time, the valley was revoked, and the "five materials" were gradually formed, namely wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. During the Spring and Autumn Period, with the continuous exploration of astronomy and geography, the Five Elements Doctrine was gradually established. During this period, it was believed that there were three stars in the sky, the sun, the moon and the stars, and that there were five elements on the earth. This doctrine provides a theoretical framework for people to understand the laws of the world, and also makes the mathematical concept of orientation deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.

Traditional Chinese culture, like a deep and rich treasure house, has a long history and a long history. At the heart of this splendid culture, the Five Elements Theory occupies a crucial position. It originated from the meticulous observation and careful consideration of astronomy by the ancient working people, and people formed the foundation of Chinese civilization according to the form of astronomy. In the Book of Changes, it is said that "the sky is formed, and the earth is formed", which fully explains that the study of the traditional Five Elements culture must start from its astronomical roots, which also reveals the fundamental "astrological law" of the Five Elements from another perspective

The five stars, known as the five latitudes in ancient times, are the five bright planets in the sky, they are Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, Venus, and Mercury. In ancient times, it was observed that the trajectories of these five planets in the sky had their own characteristics, hence the names and symbolism given to them. Jupiter is known as the star of the year and represents the passage of years; Mars is known as the glow star because of its red glow that flickers erratically; Saturn is known as the town planet, which signifies stability and stability; Venus is known as the White Star because of its dazzling brilliance; Mercury, on the other hand, is known as the star because it occurs at sunrise and sunset.

The operation law of the five stars echoes the theory of the five elements. The Five Elements Theory is an important concept in ancient Chinese philosophy, which believes that everything in the universe is composed of five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. The orbits of the five stars are similar to those of the sun, so the ancients often used them to date the sun. According to the laws of the five stars, people divide the sky into 28 constellations, each of which has its own unique symbolic meaning and function.

The order in which the five stars appear in the Arctic sky is in the order of wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Each planet has an orbital period of about 72 days, and the five stars are combined to make a 360-degree week. This kind of operation law was observed and recorded by the ancients, and became one of the important contents of ancient astronomy. The operation of the five stars is not only of great significance to the ancients, but also has a profound impact on the development of modern astronomy.

The river map, drawn according to the celestial phenomena infested by the five stars, is also the source of the five elements. It is like a bright pearl, shining with mysterious light, telling the ancient way of the unity of heaven and man. Every year before the winter solstice in November, Mercury appears in the northern sky. This is a time when winter is approaching, the cold is pressing, and everything is silent. At this time, the earth is covered with ice and snow, the water is condensed, and it seems that everything is still. This scene provides the basis for the concept of "water travel".

In ancient times, people were full of awe and curiosity about the stars in the sky. They observed that Mercury often appears in the north during the winter months, echoing the cold and humid climate of winter. As a result, they believed that Mercury was the star that ruled over water, from which the concept of water was derived. With the passage of time, people's understanding of "water travel" has gradually deepened and expanded. They discovered that water not only refers to ice, snow and currents, but also includes everything related to water, such as wetness, coldness, coldness, etc. As a result, the concept of "water travel" has gradually evolved into a richer and more diverse system, which encompasses a variety of things and phenomena related to water.

In the process, the concept of "water travel" has also become an important element of Chinese culture. It not only affects people's perception of the natural world, but also affects the way people think and live. For example, in traditional Chinese medicine, the concept of "water travel" is used to explain the physiological mechanisms and pathological changes of the human body; In architecture and garden design, "water travel" is also widely used to create a natural and harmonious environment.

After the summer solstice in July, Mars shines in the southern sky, and it is the summer atmosphere that envelops the land and makes the ground steam. The heat of this season seems to announce the arrival of summer from every corner. The red glow of Mars, combined with the hot summer weather, inspires the perception and imagination of fiery heat. This combination of heat and fiery red gradually formed a concept of "fire walking" in people's consciousness. The fire walk, as its name suggests, represents the energy of heat, heat, vigor and passion.

With the passage of time, the concept of fire has gradually taken root in people's hearts and has become a kind of consensus among people about summer and Mars. People began to incorporate elements of fire into their lives and beliefs, using it as a symbol of strength, courage and determination. In traditional Chinese culture, the fire line also represents the "fire" of the five elements, which, together with earth, water, wood, metal and other elements, constitute the Five Elements Doctrine, which is believed to affect the operation and change of the world.

It is because of this unique understanding and perception that people have a deeper understanding of Mars and the hot weather of summer. This understanding is not only reflected in the observation and understanding of the natural world, but also penetrates into people's inner world, and has become an important part of a belief and culture. This is how the concept of fire travel was formed, and it is also a unique understanding and expression of summer, Mars, and hot weather.

At the spring equinox in March, Jupiter appeared in the eastern sky, and at this time, spring was strong, and the plants and trees began to break through the ground and were full of vitality. As the ancients said, "the grass and trees in the world know when spring arrives", and the concept of wood is born in such a natural scene.

Jupiter, as the largest planet in the solar system, brings endless hope and vitality to people. In this season of rejuvenation, Jupiter is like a messenger of spring, reminding people to cherish the gifts of nature and live in harmony with nature.

At this time, the plants and trees begin to sprout and grow, and they have accumulated the strength of the winter in the soil, and finally break through the soil at the moment of the spring equinox, showing vitality. This is the embodiment of the attributes of the wood row, growth, development, expansion, like trees continue to grow upward, the pursuit of higher and farther goals.

At the autumn equinox in September, Venus shines in the western sky, and the ancients often symbolized its diversity with weapons, indicating that the autumn killing atmosphere is strong, and all things are gradually aging in the withering, and the gold line is thus highlighted. At this moment, the autumn wind is like a blade, everything is bleak, and a withering scene also indicates the joy of harvest and the precipitation of life. Just like the brilliance of Venus, even at dusk, it can still shine its unique light, indicating the harvest and ripeness of autumn.

In the bright stars of May, Saturn soars high in the sky, like a king. This marks the prevalence of the humid earth in the long summer, and the four elements of wood, fire, metal and water are all intertwined with the earth as the core, and jointly interpret the magic of nature. Just as the creatures on the earth look up to the sky and feel the changes of the four seasons, the concept of earth travel is quietly formed in our hearts. It not only represents a kind of power, but also a continuation and cycle of life. Under the night sky of May, let us resonate with Saturn, feel the source of life, and explore the mysteries of the universe.

The Five Elements Doctrine is deeply permeated in every corner of Chinese culture, and its wide application can be described as ubiquitous. In the system of the Five Elements Doctrine, everything in the world is simply divided into five categories: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, and each type of thing is endowed with the corresponding attributes of the five elements. On this basis, the Five Elements Theory uses the relationship of restraint to explain and illustrate in detail the interconnection and change between things.

Like the theory of yin and yang, there is also a law of mutual reciprocity and restraint between the five elements. Mutual reciprocity, both opposing and interdependent, they are two indispensable links in the development of anything. Without mutual growth, everything cannot happen and develop; Without restraint, it is impossible to maintain harmony and balance in the development of things. Symbiosis ensures the intrinsic motivation and possibility of the development of things, while Xiangke effectively controls the direction and rhythm of the development of things. In the process of the development of things, this cycle of life and restraint makes things continue to grow, change and develop.

There is a saying in the "Wings of the Analogous Scripture": "The opportunity of creation is indispensable for birth and system." If there is no life, there will be no way to develop all things, and if there is no system, it will be extremely harmful and harmful. Only by restraining and circulating endlessly, can the way of heaven and earth be endless. This passage incisively expounds the profound impact of the restraint of the Five Elements Theory on the growth and change of all things.

The Five Elements Theory, as the core of Chinese culture, is widely used in an inexhaustible manner. It is an important theory used by the ancients to explain the laws and essence of the world, like a magical key, revealing the mystery of nature and the essence of life for us.

The Five Elements Doctrine divides all things in the world into five basic elements: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. These five elements are interdependent and constrained, and together constitute a dynamically balanced world. Whether it is the rotation of the four seasons, the growth of all things, or human life and agricultural production, they can all be deeply interpreted through the Five Elements Theory. It is a philosophical thought with profound connotations and practical guiding significance.

In the inheritance of Chinese culture, the Five Elements Doctrine has played a vital role. It is the foundation of TCM theory and guides the diagnosis and ** of TCM. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the functional activities of the five internal organs of the human body correspond to the five elements in the Five Elements Theory, and the health of the human body is closely related to the balance of the five elements. Therefore, by regulating the balance of the five elements in the human body, you can ** disease and maintain health.

The Five Elements doctrine is also widely used in Feng Shui, divination, and other fields. Feng Shui masters conduct environmental analysis based on the Five Elements Doctrine to find Feng Shui treasures that are conducive to living and working. Fortune tellers use the Five Elements Doctrine to provide guidance for people's lives in the future.

As an important part of Chinese culture, the Five Elements Theory has far-reaching influence and wide application. It is the crystallization of the wisdom of the ancients, and it is also an important tool for us to understand the world and grasp the future. Through in-depth study and inheritance of the Five Elements Theory, we can better understand the essence of Chinese culture and contribute to the progress and development of human society.

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