The theoretical foundations of Chinese medicine: systems of correspondence (M.I.T. East Asian science series)

392 Pages·1974·80.76 MB·English

by  Manfred Porkert

The MIT Press
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The Theoretical Foundations
of Chinese Medicine
Systems of Correspondence
M.I.T. East Asian Science Series
Nathan Sivin, general editor
Volume III
The Theoretical Foundations
of Chinese Medicine
Systems of Correspondence
Manfred Porkert
11
The MIT Press
Cambridge, Massachusetts, and London, England
Copyright © 1974 by
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any
information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the
publisher.
This book was set in Monotype Baskerville,
printed on Mohawk Neotext Offset
by Halliday Lithograph Corp.
and bound by Halliday Lithograph Corp.
in the United States of America.
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Porkert, Manfred.
Theoretical foundations of Chinese medicine.
(M.I.T. East Asian science series, v. 3)
Bibliography: p.
1. Medicine—China. I. Title. II. Series: Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
M.I.T. East Asian Science Series, v. 3. [DNLM: 1. Medicine, oriental. YVB 50
JC6 P8t 1973]
R601.P64 1973 610'.951 73-4960
ISBN 0-262-16058-7
Humanities
INST.
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Contents
Tables vi
The M.I.T. East Asian Science Series ix
Foreword xi
Introduction: Systems of Correspondence in Chinese
Medicine 1
1
Basic Standards of Value: Yin and Yang and the Five
Evolutive Phases 9
2
Standards of Value for Phenomena of Macrocosmic
Dimensions: Phase Energetics 55
3
Standards of Value for Phenomena of Microcosmic
Dimensions, I: Orbisiconography 107
4
Standards of Value for Phenomena of Microcosmic
Dimensions, II: Sinarteriology and Foraminology 197
Selected Bibliography 347
Index 353
Tables
Table 1. The Sixty Emblematic Combinations in Phase
Energetics 63
Table 2. Associations of the Six Energetic
Configurations 64
Table 3. Combinations of Deversant Circuit Phases 68
Table 4. Periodic Configurations (chieh-ch’i, Configura-)
tiones articulatae) Grouped into “Steps” (pu} Gradus) 72
Table 5. Dominant Configurations for the “Steps” 73
Table 6. Occurrence of the Conventus annorum 82
Table 7. The Three Energetic Configurations of the
Circuit Phases 83
Table 8. Tin flectens imperat caelo 86
Table 9. Tin minor imperat caelo 88
Table 10. Tin maior imperat caelo 89
Table 11. Tang minor imperat caelo 90
Table 12. Splendor yang imperat caelo 91
Table 13. Tang maior imperat caelo 92
Table 14. Occurrence of the Congruentia caelestis
maxima 95
Table 15. Occurrence of the Congruentia caelestis
communis 95
Table 16. Supervention of the Conventus annorum
communis 95
Table 17. Couplings and Inflections of Circuit Phases
and Energetic Configurations 96
Table 18. Comparative Synopsis of the Principal
Functions of the Orbs 164
Table 19. Comparison of Energetic Terminology 195
Table 20. The Topology and Physiological and
Pathological Functions of the Cardinal Conduits 211
Table 21. Distribution of Energy among the Cardinal
Conduits 212
Table 22. The Foramina rimica and Their Locations 338
Table 23. The Foramina nexoria and Their Reticular
Conduits 339
Table 24. Locations of the Five Inductories and Their
Correspondences 340