Yin and Yang

Basic concept of Yin-YangBasic concept of Yin-Yang

YinYin and and YangYang are the are the underlying principles of underlying principles of Chinese philosophy and Chinese philosophy and medicine. medicine.

Good health is believed to Good health is believed to come from a balance of come from a balance of Yin Yin and and YangYang. .

What is meaning of Yin and What is meaning of Yin and Yang?Yang? Generally speaking, Generally speaking, YinYin and and YangYang refer to two refer to two

opposite aspects of opposite aspects of interrelated things or interrelated things or phenomena in the nature phenomena in the nature world.world.

a. Original meaninga. Original meaning

YangYang —— 阳阳——日日—— sunsun——brightnessbrightness

in Chinesein Chinese

YinYin —— 阴阴——月月—— moonmoon——dimnessdimness

b. Extending meaningb. Extending meaning

Through agelong observation Through agelong observation of nature, of nature,

Ancient Chinese people come Ancient Chinese people come to understand that all to understand that all phenomena in the universe phenomena in the universe may be ascribed to Yin-Yang,may be ascribed to Yin-Yang,

And founded the theory of And founded the theory of Yin-Yang. Yin-Yang.

YangYang WarmWarm LightLight

YinYin CoolCool DimDim

Top

Bottom

Downward

Upward

hidden

Exposed

Categorization of Yin and Categorization of Yin and YangYang

Yin and Yang are based on Yin and Yang are based on the nature of water and firethe nature of water and fire Water and fire act as the Water and fire act as the

symbols of Yin and Yang.symbols of Yin and Yang.

those with the those with the basic nature of basic nature of firefire (such as (such as heat, motion, heat, motion, brightness, brightness, upward, and upward, and outward outward directions, directions, excitement) excitement) pertain to pertain to YangYang; ;

those with the those with the basicbasic nature nature of waterof water (such (such as coldness, as coldness, stillness, stillness, dimness, dimness, downward downward and inward and inward directions, directions, inhibition) inhibition) pertain to Yinpertain to Yin..

ExampleExample

A 35 year old female A 35 year old female complains of having complains of having

1.1.no energy, when not working no energy, when not working she sleeps most of the time. she sleeps most of the time.

2.2.she feels cold often and is she feels cold often and is uncomfortably sensitive to uncomfortably sensitive to cool environments. cool environments.

3.3.her skin appears damp and her skin appears damp and damp foods make her sleepy. damp foods make her sleepy.

4.4. she feels dull emotionally she feels dull emotionally and intellectually. and intellectually.

5.5. she has been having less she has been having less contact with her friends, contact with her friends, preferring to be alone. preferring to be alone.

Does She Fit Yin or Yang?Does She Fit Yin or Yang?

1) stillness 1) stillness

2) cool/cold 2) cool/cold

3) moist 3) moist

4) passive 4) passive

5) inward5) inward YinYin

SignificanceSignificance

The Yin-Yang theory is an important The Yin-Yang theory is an important

constituent of the theoretical constituent of the theoretical

system of TCM and runs through system of TCM and runs through

every aspect of the system. every aspect of the system. It is used to explain physiology and It is used to explain physiology and

pathology of the body and to guide pathology of the body and to guide

clinical diagnosis and treatment. clinical diagnosis and treatment.

The basic content of Yin-The basic content of Yin-Yang theoryYang theory

1.1. Yin and Yang are divisibleYin and Yang are divisible

2.2. Yin and Yang are Yin and Yang are

inseparableinseparable

1. Yin and Yang are 1. Yin and Yang are divisibledivisible YinYin————Yin/YangYin/Yang……..

Yin Yin

Yang Yang ————Yin/YangYin/Yang…….. Yin-YangYin-Yang

Yin Yin ————Yin/YangYin/Yang……..

YangYang

Yang Yang ————Yin/YangYin/Yang……..

ExampleExample

Day

Night

NoonYang within Yang

Dusk

Midnight

Dawn

Yang within Yin Yin within Yin

Yin within Yang

2. Yin and Yang are 2. Yin and Yang are inseparableinseparable Yin and Yang are opposed to and Yin and Yang are opposed to and

depend on each other. depend on each other. Neither can exist in isolation Neither can exist in isolation

without its opponent's existence. without its opponent's existence. In other words, In other words, without Yin there would be no without Yin there would be no

Yang, and it's the same the other Yang, and it's the same the other way round. way round.

If there is no down, which way is If there is no down, which way is up? up?

Relationship between Yin Relationship between Yin and Yangand Yang

1.1. The unity and opposition The unity and opposition between Yin and Yang between Yin and Yang

2.2. Interdependence between Interdependence between Yin and YangYin and Yang

3.3. Transformation between Yin Transformation between Yin and Yangand Yang

1.The unity and opposition 1.The unity and opposition between Yin between Yin andand Yang Yang The opposition between Yin and The opposition between Yin and

Yang is meant that all things or Yang is meant that all things or phenomena in nature have two phenomena in nature have two opposite aspectsopposite aspects——Yin and Yang, Yin and Yang,

such as such as heavenheaven and earth, and earth, ascendingascending and descending, and descending, dayday and night, and night, heatheat and cold. and cold.

The The former former is is Yang Yang and the and the latter is Yinlatter is Yin in every pair above. in every pair above.

For exampleFor example

The human being is made of The human being is made of men and women.men and women.

Man pertain to YangMan pertain to Yang Woman pertain to YinWoman pertain to Yin Two opposite aspects in one Two opposite aspects in one

thing.thing.

The unity is the outcome of The unity is the outcome of mutual opposition and restriction mutual opposition and restriction between Yin and Yang. between Yin and Yang.

For example, day is the outcome For example, day is the outcome of mutual opposition between of mutual opposition between daytime and nighttime.daytime and nighttime.

Without opposition, there would Without opposition, there would be no unity; be no unity;

It is only through this kind of It is only through this kind of opposition and restriction that opposition and restriction that the dynamic the dynamic balancebalance can be can be established. established.

TCM believes thatTCM believes that

the normal physiological the normal physiological functions of the human body functions of the human body result from the opposite and result from the opposite and unityunity relationship between relationship between Yin and Yang. Yin and Yang.

Both of them are always in a Both of them are always in a state of dynamic balance. state of dynamic balance.

If, for any reason, the If, for any reason, the relative balance is destroyed, relative balance is destroyed, there is bound to be excess there is bound to be excess or deficiency of Yin or Yang, or deficiency of Yin or Yang, and then a disease will arise. and then a disease will arise.

2.Interdependence 2.Interdependence between Yin and Yangbetween Yin and Yang At the same time, Yin and Yang At the same time, Yin and Yang

are opposed to and depend on are opposed to and depend on each other. each other.

Neither can exist in isolation Neither can exist in isolation without its opponent's existence. without its opponent's existence.

In other words, In other words, without Yin there without Yin there would be no Yang, and without would be no Yang, and without Yang there would be no Yin.Yang there would be no Yin.

Substances and functionsSubstances and functions

Essential Question says: "Yin in Essential Question says: "Yin in the interior is the basis for Yang; the interior is the basis for Yang; while Yang in the exterior is the while Yang in the exterior is the activity for Yin." activity for Yin."

"Yin" "Yin" refers torefers to the material the material, , basis basis of functional activity of Yangof functional activity of Yang

"Yang" "Yang" refers torefers to functional functional activityactivity. .

The substance and function The substance and function are interdependent and are interdependent and inseparable.inseparable.

This is no substance without This is no substance without function and no function function and no function without substance.without substance.

Abnormal Abnormal

However, when the However, when the

interdependent relationships interdependent relationships

between substances and between substances and

functions are abnormal, functions are abnormal, life activities will be broken, life activities will be broken,

thus bringing about thus bringing about

dissociation of Yin and Yang. dissociation of Yin and Yang.

3.Transformation between Yin 3.Transformation between Yin and Yangand Yang

In given conditionsIn given conditions, either Yin , either Yin

or Yang may transform into its or Yang may transform into its

opposite side, opposite side,

Yin may be transformed into Yin may be transformed into

Yang,Yang,

Yang may be transformed into Yang may be transformed into

Yin. Yin.

In ChinaIn China

There are four seasons, spring, There are four seasons, spring, summer, autumn, winter.summer, autumn, winter.

Spring, summerSpring, summer belong to belong to YangYang, while , while autumn, winterautumn, winter belong to belong to YinYin..

When the winter transfer into When the winter transfer into spring, the character of season spring, the character of season changed too, from Yin to Yang. changed too, from Yin to Yang.

The Application of The Yin-The Application of The Yin-Yang TheoryYang Theory The Yin-Yang theory permeates The Yin-Yang theory permeates

all aspects of the theoretical all aspects of the theoretical system of TCM. system of TCM.

The theory is used to explain the The theory is used to explain the organic structure, physiological organic structure, physiological function and pathological function and pathological changes of the human body. changes of the human body.

It also serves as a principle to It also serves as a principle to guide clinical diagnosis and guide clinical diagnosis and treatment. treatment.

1. Explain the tissues and 1. Explain the tissues and structure of the human structure of the human bodybody The human body is an The human body is an

integrated whole. integrated whole. All its tissues and structures are All its tissues and structures are

organically connected and may organically connected and may be classified as two opposite be classified as two opposite aspectsaspects——Yin and Yang. Yin and Yang.

That is why Essential Question That is why Essential Question states,"Man, having a form, can states,"Man, having a form, can not deviate from Yin and Yang." not deviate from Yin and Yang."

As for anatomical locationsAs for anatomical locations

the upper part of the body is the upper part of the body is

Yang and the lower part is Yin; Yang and the lower part is Yin; the exterior is Yang and the the exterior is Yang and the

interior is Yin; interior is Yin; the back is Yang and the the back is Yang and the

abdomen is Yin; abdomen is Yin;

As for Zang-Fu As for Zang-Fu organs(viscera)organs(viscera) The meridians of Zang organs The meridians of Zang organs

travel in front parts of body, travel in front parts of body,

therefore, they are Yin; therefore, they are Yin; While the meridians of Fu While the meridians of Fu

organs travel in back parts of organs travel in back parts of

body, therefore, they are body, therefore, they are

Yang. Yang.

Furthermore, each of the Furthermore, each of the Zang-Fu organs can be re-Zang-Fu organs can be re-divided into Yin and Yang.divided into Yin and Yang.

As for five Zang organs, the As for five Zang organs, the heart and lungs, lying above, heart and lungs, lying above, correspond to Yang, correspond to Yang,

While the liver, spleen and While the liver, spleen and kidney, lying below, kidney, lying below, correspond to Yin.correspond to Yin.

Within each of the Zang-Fu Within each of the Zang-Fu

organs, there are Yin and organs, there are Yin and

Yang aspects, such as Yang aspects, such as

heart-Yin and heart-Yang, heart-Yin and heart-Yang,

kidney-Yin and kidney-Yang, kidney-Yin and kidney-Yang,

stomach-Yin and stomach-stomach-Yin and stomach-

Yang, Yang,

etc. etc.

All of them are opposite pairs. All of them are opposite pairs. Thus, in line with the Yin-Yang Thus, in line with the Yin-Yang

theory, the unity and theory, the unity and

opposites between Yin and opposites between Yin and

Yang exist in the upper and Yang exist in the upper and

lower, internal and external, lower, internal and external,

front and back parts of the front and back parts of the

human body, and within all the human body, and within all the

internal organs as well. internal organs as well.

2. Explain the Physiological 2. Explain the Physiological

Functions of the Human BodyFunctions of the Human Body The Yin-Yang theory believes that The Yin-Yang theory believes that

the normal life activities of the the normal life activities of the human body result from the human body result from the harmonious relationship of the harmonious relationship of the unity and opposites between Yin unity and opposites between Yin and Yang. and Yang.

Take the relationship between Take the relationship between function and matter for example, function and matter for example, function pertains to Yang while function pertains to Yang while matter pertains to Yin. matter pertains to Yin.

Physiological activities of the Physiological activities of the body are based on matter. body are based on matter.

Without matter, there would be Without matter, there would be no sustentation for function no sustentation for function activities. activities.

Functional activities are the Functional activities are the motive power for producing motive power for producing matter. matter.

Without functional activities, Without functional activities, the metabolism of matter the metabolism of matter would not be performed. would not be performed.

In this way, Yin and Yang In this way, Yin and Yang

within the human body within the human body

depend on each other for depend on each other for

existence. existence.

If Yin and Yang cannot If Yin and Yang cannot

complement each other and complement each other and

become separated from each become separated from each

other, life will come to an other, life will come to an

end. end.

3. Explain the Pathological 3. Explain the Pathological ChangesChanges TCM considers that the TCM considers that the

imbalance between Yin and imbalance between Yin and

Yang is one of the basic Yang is one of the basic

pathogenesis of a disease. pathogenesis of a disease.

more concretemore concrete

1.1. Yang excess leads to heat Yang excess leads to heat syndromesyndrome

Yang pathogenic factors Yang pathogenic factors cause the diseasecause the disease

2.2. Yin excess causes cold Yin excess causes cold syndrome. syndrome.

Yin pathogenic factors cause Yin pathogenic factors cause the diseasethe disease

3.3. Yang deficiency lead to the Yang deficiency lead to the excess of Yin and results in excess of Yin and results in cold syndromecold syndrome

Deficiency of Yang Qi Deficiency of Yang Qi

4.4. Yin deficiency lead to the Yin deficiency lead to the excess of Yang and causes excess of Yang and causes heat syndrome. heat syndrome.

Deficiency of Yin essence Deficiency of Yin essence

a. Excess of Yina. Excess of Yin

Mean that Yin Mean that Yin is higher than is higher than its normal level.its normal level.

Produces Produces cold cold syndromesyndrome

Main symptom: Main symptom: feeling chills, feeling chills, limbs cold, limbs cold, lassitude.lassitude.

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

normal excessof Yi n

Yi nYang

b. Excess of Yangb. Excess of Yang

Mean that Yang is Mean that Yang is higher than its normal higher than its normal level.level.

Produces Produces heat heat syndromesyndrome

Main symptom: aversion Main symptom: aversion to heat, thirst, desire to heat, thirst, desire for cold fluid, for cold fluid, irritability, constipation, irritability, constipation, yellow urination, yellow urination, hyperfunction.hyperfunction.

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

normal excessof Yang

Yi nYang

c. Deficiency of Yinc. Deficiency of Yin

Mean that Yin is lower Mean that Yin is lower than its normal level.than its normal level.

lead to the excess of lead to the excess of Yang and results in Yang and results in heat syndrome and heat syndrome and deficiency syndrome.deficiency syndrome.

Main symptom: Main symptom: aversion to heat, aversion to heat, thirst, desire for cold thirst, desire for cold fluid, irritability, fluid, irritability, constipation.constipation.

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

normal

Yi nYang

d. Deficiency of Yangd. Deficiency of Yang

Mean that Yang is Mean that Yang is lower than its normal lower than its normal level.level.

lead to the excess of lead to the excess of Yin and results in Yin and results in cold syndrome and cold syndrome and deficiency syndrome.deficiency syndrome.

Main symptom: Main symptom: feeling chills, limbs feeling chills, limbs cold, lassitude, cold, lassitude, hypofunction.hypofunction.

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

normal

Yi nYang

4. Serve as the Guide to 4. Serve as the Guide to TreatmentTreatment

To the excess of To the excess of Yang, purge YangYang, purge Yang

To the excess of To the excess of Yin, purge YinYin, purge Yin

For the deficiency For the deficiency of Yang, reinforce of Yang, reinforce YangYang

For the deficiency For the deficiency of Yin, reinforce of Yin, reinforce YinYin 0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

normal excessdefi ci ency

yi nyang

purge

reinforce

In order to redress the In order to redress the balance between Yin and balance between Yin and Yang.Yang.

Review Review

1.Concept of Yin and Yang1.Concept of Yin and Yang Original meaningOriginal meaning Extending meaningExtending meaning

2. Relationship between Yin and Yang2. Relationship between Yin and Yang The unity and opposition between Yin The unity and opposition between Yin

and Yangand Yang Interdependence between Yin and Interdependence between Yin and

YangYang Transformation between Yin and YangTransformation between Yin and Yang

3.The basic content of Yin-Yang theory3.The basic content of Yin-Yang theory Yin and Yang are divisibleYin and Yang are divisible Yin and Yang are inseparableYin and Yang are inseparable

4. 4. The Application of The Yin-Yang The Application of The Yin-Yang TheoryTheory

Explain the tissues and structure of Explain the tissues and structure of the human bodythe human body

Explain the Physiological Functions Explain the Physiological Functions of the Human Bodyof the Human Body

Explain the Pathological ChangesExplain the Pathological Changes Serve as the Guide to TreatmentServe as the Guide to Treatment

Difference between the excess Difference between the excess of Yang and the deficiency of of Yang and the deficiency of YinYin Common: Heat Common: Heat

syndromesyndrome Difference: Difference: 1.1. excess of Yang:+ excess of Yang:+

excess syndrome, excess syndrome, forceful pulse, forceful pulse, absolutely heat absolutely heat syndromesyndrome

2.2. deficiency of Yin:+ deficiency of Yin:+ deficiency syndrome, deficiency syndrome, weak pulse, relative weak pulse, relative heat syndromeheat syndrome

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

normal defi ci ency

Yi nYang