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Book of Changes and
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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Yang Li
Beijing Science, and Technology Press
Name List of the Translation Committee of
Book of Changes and Traditional
Chinese Medicine
Editor-in-chief: Dong Shuang-chen
Associte Editor-in-chief : Niu Jie-zhen
Editor: Ma Xue-mei Wang Yong-xiang
First Edition 1998 Wang Yong-mei Wang Su-ying
ISBN 7-5304-2025-9/R-212 Wang Su-qing Wang Xue-min
Published y Shi Geng-shan Tian Yong-ying
Beijing Science & Technology Press Li Shao-feng Li Ge
`16 Nandajie Xizhimen, Beijing, 100035, P. R. China Song Zhi-fang Sun Bing-tang
Printed y Zhang Qin Zhang Shang-lian
Beijing No 3 Printing House Wu Li-fang Chen Ning
Distri uted y Zhao Chen-wei Qin Yong-sheng
China International Book Trading Corporation Su Wei-nong Hou J ian-j un
35 Chegongzhuang Xilu, Beijing 100044, China English Editor: Richard R. Pearce Foster Stockwell
P.O. Box 399, Beijing, China Proofreader: Shi Geng-shan Zhang Qin
Song' Zhi-fang
Printed in the People's Repu lic of China Consultant: Wang Wei Wang Wu-xu
Chen Sheng-an Zhou Ji-chun
Zhang Nuan Zhao Xiang-lin
Tong De-kun Meng Shuang-qun
Dong Jia-li
A Brief Introduction to the Author
A Brief Introduction to the Author
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Yang Li, professor at the Graduate Department of the TCM
Institute of China, is a well-known expert in Yi science and a TCM
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theorist. Her works have made great contri utions to the dissemina-
t- tfi *1 tion of Chinese culture. Among them are the Book of Changes and
Traditional Chinese Medicine, Advance Diagnosing of Diseases in
(E tr_1% t) )
Chinese Medicine and Chinese Medical Science of Breath Exercises,
which have had a great influence on medical practice oth at home
and a road. All these ooks have een highly commended and have
won many prizes.
The Book of Changes and Traditional Chinese Medicine was
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awarded the World Golden Prize of Taiji Science in 1993 ecause of
Richard R. Pearce the unique and original, ideas set forth in the ook. It has also een
awarded the National Best-selling Prize for Outstanding Books on
Foster Stockwell
-4-1 0 1. U it V, Science and Technology, the Second Prize for Excellent Books of
Beijing, and the First Prize for Excellent Books of 10 Provinces/
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Cities in North China. The ook is availa le in oth simplified and
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complex Chinese characters and has een translated into English,
Japanese and Korean editions, which are selling well in different
parts of the world..
Forthcoming ooks y Yang Li:
Series on the 5000 Years of Chinese Culture :
1. Classics of 5000 Years of Chinese Culture
2. Classics of 5000 Years of Chinese Science
3 . Classics of 5000 Years of Chinese Literature
SYNOPSIS SYNOPSIS 3
ences, such as philosophical thinking, psychoethics, astronomy,
Book of Changes and meteorology, genetics, ecology, ionics, phenology, language and
temperament, which areall expounded in the context of the philoso-
Traditional Chinese Medicine
phy of Changes.
The arguments and views presented in the ook are discussed
Yiching or The Book of Changes, originally titled Zhouyi systematically and profoundly with a rigorous scientific approach.
(The Zhou Changes), is a monumental work which com ines Chi- The ideas set forth y the author are unique and original, and some
nese philosophy, social sciences and natural sciences . It represents of them are theoretical reakthroughs, especially those related to im-
the asics of Chinese culture and has had a great influence on many portant issues concerning traditional Chinese medicine, for which
ranches of learning in China, particularly on traditional Chinese the author was awarded the 'World Golden Prize of Taiji and
medicine (TCM). As a matter of fact, the asic concepts of tradi- Science' in 1993.
ttiioonnaall Chinese medicine are rooted in The Book of Changes. The author Prof. Yang Li is a well-known expert in Yi-science
Book of Changes and Traditional Chinese Medicine (availa le and a TCM theoretician.
in oth Chinese and English) is an outstanding academic ook of sci-
ence and also a monographic work on health preservation, which
will e of great value to research work in oth Yi-science and TCM
theories.
This ook organically com ines the theories in The Book of
Changes with traditional Chinese medicine, systematically analyses
the close relations etween them, and highlights the significance of
the philosophy of Changes to traditional Chinese medical theories . It
contains rilliant expositions on Yi-science, traditional Chinese
medicine and taiji science (supreme ultimate science). Centered on
the medical Yi-science, it enlightens and inspires readers to delve in-
to the effects of Yi-science on life, qigong, health preservation, pre-
ventive medicine, nutrition medicine and time medicine, thus open-
ing a new field for the study of life science, development of medicine
and TCM theories.
The ook covers a wide range of social sciences and natural sci-
3
A Brief Introduction to theBook ofChanges FOREWORD 5
A Brief Introduction to the Book of Changes FOREWORD
The rilliant ancient culture of China has made great contri u- Zhou Yi or the Book of Changes, is a monumental work of an-
tions to world culture. A prized gem of Chinese culture is Zhou Yi, cient China and a prized gem in the treasury of Chinese culture. It
or the Book of Changes, a monumental work whose significance to has had a great influence on philosophy, literature, historical stud-
the world is hardly second to any other pu lication. ies, religion, as well as natural and social sciences. Down the cen-
turies, no less than 3000 scholars have researched and annotated the
The Book of Changes is the fountainhead of Chinese culture, work, and the numerous schools of thought that derived from Yi
the principal source of Chinese philosophy, social sciences and natu- philosophy have accumulated into the imperisha le Yi science,
ral sciences. It has greatly influenced the history of Chinese civiliza- whose profound and far-reaching influence in China and a road has
tion. Its importance lies not only in what is covered in the Classic of few parallels throughout the world.
Changes and Commentaries on the Changes, the two component The theoretical comprehensiveness and importance of the Book
parts of the ook, ut also in some 3000 related works on Yi philos- of Changes lies not only in what is covered in the Yi Jing, or Clas-
ophy (philosophy of Changes), the many ancient schools of thought sic of Changes, and Yi Zhuan, or Commentaries on the Changes,
that derived from this philosophy, and the comprehensive system of the two component parts of the ook, ut also in some 3000 related
Yi science it nurtured. All this makes the Book of Changes an inex- works on Yi philosophy (philosophy of Changes), the many an-
hausti le well and unlimited treasury of human knowledge . cient schools of thought that derived from this philosophy, and the
comprehensive system of Yi science it nurtured. All this makes the
That Yi philosophy has not only survived ut remained active Book of Changes an inexhausti le well and unlimited treasury of hu-
for thousands of years is ecause the Book of Changes is a pivotal man knowledge.
link etween the past and the future. It has organically com ined The Book of Changes, or its essence, has two major connota-
ancient and modern Chinese civilization, joined the lifelines of Chi- tions: Yi philosophy and Xiang Shu (Divination). Xiang Shu is the
nese culture and vigorously promoted its development. Thus, study- asis of Yi philosophy.- Without Xiang Shu there would e no Yi
ing the Book of Changes is of far-reaching significance to Chinese philosophy. It is the charm and attraction of Xiang Shu that has made
culture. Yi philosophy more popular than any other system of philosophy .
Xiang Shu has permeated traditional Chinese culture more
widely and has een applied more flexi ly than any other science. As
FOREWORD FOREWORD
a matter of facto all ranches of learning in China such as philoso- was deeply influenced y the Book of Changes. The Book of
phy, meteorology, astronomy, medical psychology, architecture, Changes adopted the essence of the principles of yin and yang (neg-
calendrical science, geography and forecasting science, ancient or ative and positive) and zvuxing (the five elements: metal, wood,
modern, are closely related to Xiang Shu. This reflects the great water, fire and earth) of the pre-Qin period, and The Emperor's
value of Xiang Shu principles in Chinese culture . Especially close Canon ofMedicine also took them as its asic theories, which shows
are the relations etween Xiang Shu and TCM. the particular "kinship" etween; these two monumental works.
This ook provides an in-depth analysis of the relations etween The Book of Changes can e regarded as the fountainhead of
the Book of Changes and TCM ased on a com ination of systematic The Emperor's Canon of Medicine, for the latter a sor ed the
expositions and monographic study . It highlights the significance of essence of the Changes, creatively developed many of its theories
Yi philosophy and Xiang Shu patterns of reasoning to the theories and even improved on some of then . This has made the Canon a
of TCM. It can e regarded as the first comprehensive treatise that great medical classic, as rilliant as the Changes. By fully incorpo-
com ines Yi with TCM. rating the theories of the Changes and creatively integrating them
This ook shows that TCM and Yi are interlinked philosophi- with medical science, the Canon has made TCM a ranch of the
Dally and it ela orates on the application of the medical theories of natural sciences with a very high philosophical value, and has
Yi . While stressing the application of Yi theories to the science of strongly promoted its development. Thus it is o vious that TCM
life, medicine and forecasting science, the ook gives rilliant and o- science and Yi science developed from the same origin, and the asic
riginal expositions on a wide range of human knowledge, from the theories of the former stemmed from those of the latter . As the emi-
exploration of the mysteries of life, the secrets of health and anti-senili- nent doctor Sun Simiao once said, "You cannot master medicine un-
ty to reha ilitation medicine, encephalogy, sexology, language and a- til you have studied the Book of Changes . "
coustics, medicated diet, medical cosmetology, qigong, acupunc- It is hardly exaggerating to say that no doctor in Chinese medi-
ture, ionic medicine, genetic iotics, phenological iotics and so cal history has ever studied The Emperor's Canon ofMedicine with-
on, which are all expounded in the context of the Book of Changes. out consulting the Book of Changes . But to make a deeper study of
The Book' of Changes, with its a struse philosophy and road The Emperor's CanonofMedicine, there is need to have a thorough
connotations, is the origin of the natural sciences and the prime understanding of the Book of Changes, so that its origin can e
source of many ranches of learning. Virtually all ranches of learn- traced, its essence inherited and the study of TCM further devel-
ing in China originated in the Book of Changes. TCM, a ranch of oped. It is a pity that the Book of Changes is difficult to understand
the natural sciences, surely has an insepara le relationship with the ecause it is written in art archaic language, and there is riot yet any
Book ofChanges. The Emperor's Canon ofMedicine, an authorita- ook dealing specially with the relationship etween the Book of
tive work on TCM written' at a out the same time as Yi Zhuan, Changes and TCM. On the one hand, increasing interest in the
FOREWORD INTRODUCTION
Book"of Changes in Chit}a and a road has aroused a widespread
"craze" over the ook. On the other, ooks on Yi, or the
INTRODUCTION
Changes, are far too few to meet the demand. It was ecause of this
that I decided to write the present ook. In the course of writing I
have read intensively a large num er of related works, including rare Chinese culture as represented y Zhou Yi, or the Book of
versions of the Book of Changes and extracts from Chinese classics, Changes, is a fertile soil in which traditional Chinese medicine
and have epitomized the thoughts of different schools, analyzed (TCM) is rooted. For thousands of years it has nurtured the growth
them, and incorporated them into what I had gained from my re- of TCM and contri uted to the prosperity of the Chinese nation .
searches over the years. The text of this ook was revised three The reason why TCM can remain vigorous for thousands of
times efore it was pu lished. years is in its unique theoretical system that is rooted in Chinese cul-
Extracts from and analysis of the original Book of Changes are ture. This ook focuses on the study of Yi, or Changes, as related
also included in this ook, which contains authentic materials, in- to TCM and also takes into account the influences of Confucianism,
depth discussions and accurate quotations from other sources. Hope- Taoism and Buddhism and various ancient Chinese schools of
fully, it will help readers to study the Book ofChanges more easily thought. It reflects the interdependence etween Yi-centered Chi-
and quickly and facilitate their advanced studies in the future. This nese culture and TCM.
ook has een used as a text ook for postgraduates and has een In recent years an intense interest in the Book of Changes and
highly commended. It has also een well received in medical circles. in TCM has sprung up almost simultaneously . This is not a coinci-
I wish to express my sincere thanks to the successive directors dence, for TCM and the Book of Changes are closely related and
and staff of Beijing Science and Technology Press for their assistance mutually dependent and have had much the same experience in his-
in the pu lishing of this ook. I am particularly grateful to Mr. tory.
Zhang Jingde, the executive editor of my ook and present director TCM and the Book of Changes are the core of traditional Chi-
and concurrent chief editor of the Press, for his insight and recogni- nese culture. Along with the study of Yi, or the Changes, as a
tion of talent and his great support and hard work. medical science, the importance of TCM is increasing oth in China
and a road. Studying the medicative values of Yi has already
Yang Li aroused widespread interest. It marks a new trend in the study of
Graduate Department, TCM that will e of far-reaching significance to its rule in medical
Traditional Chinese Medical Institute of China practice around the world. Continued' research in Yi medical science
Beijing will definitely promote the development of TCM and open up new
Winter 1988 fields in its study and practice.
CONTENTS
Chapter One Introduction (1)
Chapter Two The Author of Book of Changes and Its Place
in History (8)
Chapter Three The Structure of Book ofChanges and Its
Main Content (12)
Section 1 The Structure of Book of Changes (12)
Section 2 The Main Content of Book of Changes (13)
Chapter Four The Nature of Book of Changes (15)
Chapter Five The Basic Theories of Book of Changes (18)
Chapter Six Book of Changes and The Theories of TCM (21)
Section 1 The Particular Relationship etween Book of Changes
and TCM (21)
Section 2 The Kinship Between the Theoretical System of
Book of Changes and the Emperor's Canon of
Medicine (23)
Chapter Seven The Similarities Between Medicine and Book
CONTENTS CONTENTS
of Changes (30) Section 3 The Time and Space Relationship Between the
Section 1 Similarity in the View of Movement (30) He Map, the Luo Writing and the System of Sun,
Section 2 The Similarity of Integrity (31) Moon and Earth (89)
Section 3 The Similarity of the View of Balance (32)
Chapter Twelve Book of Changes and The Science of Human.
Chapter Eight The racy Study of Book of Changes Life (93)
............ ... ............... ........... .,...... ............ ......... (36) Section 1. A Survey_ of the Development of the Science of
Human Life (93)
Chapter Nine The Eight Trigrams and TCM (45) Section 2- The Eight Trigrams and the Science of Human
Section 1 Origin, Arrangement and Types of the Eight Life (97)
Trigrams (45) Section 3 Taiji and the Science of Human Life (110)
Section 2 The Formation, Arrangement and Meaning of Section 4 The He Map, the Luo Writing, and the Science
Sixty-Four Dou le Hexagrams (56) of Human Life .. . (114)
Section 3 Quality and Significance of the Eight Trigrams
11 (64) Chapter Thirteen Research on The Temperament y The Eight
Trigrams of Book of Changes (126)
Chapter Ten Map of The Grand Terminus and Theory of Section 1 The Division of Temperaments and Its
TCM :.; (70) Significance (126)
Section 1 Map of the Grand Terminus (70) Section 2 The Theory of Temperament in the Emperor's
Section 2 Philosophical Moral of the Map of the Grand Canon of Medicine and Its Clinical Significance (137)
Terminus (74) Section 3 Contrastive Studies of Temperament in China
Section 3 Map of the Grand Terminus and Yin Yang Qi and A road (141)
Hua (76) Chapter Fourteen Book of Changes and Forecasting ..... (148)
Chapter Eleven The He Map, The Lao Writing and TCM Section 1 Book of Changes Series and Forecasting ...... (148)
Theory (81) Section 2 Divination in Changes and Information ...... (152)
Section 1 The Explanation of the He Map and the Luo Section 3 Divinatory Methods in Book of Changes (157)
Writing Through Trigrams (81) Section 4 Characterisiics of Divination in Book ofChanges
Section 2 The Num ers in the He Map and the Luo and Its Influence on Forecasting (161)
Writing and the Five Elements (86) Section 5 Forecasting with Qigong (163)
