The human body is part of a larger cosmos and therefore its functional development follows the laws that apply to all other matter. Written in the form of a conversation between the Yellow Emperor (Huangdi) and his court physician, it discusses the origins of diseases and cures for them. The first systematic discussion on the concepts of “Yin & Yang” and “Five Elements” in relation with the human body and health appeared in the book of “Huangdi Neijing” (黄帝内经）also known as the Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon, or 'The Classic of Internal Medicine.' It was compiled more than two millennia ago and has been treated as the fundamental doctrinal source for Chinese medicine. The same concepts have also evolved and are currently incorporated into the fundamental and theoretical principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The concepts discussed in “Yin Jing”, including “Taiji”, “Yin &Yang” （阴阳） and the “Five Elements Theory” （五行), provided the foundation for the birth and development of Chinese classical philosophies including Confucianism and Taoism. Yin & Yang and Five Elements Theories in Chinese Medicine It exists everywhere and breeds all things. “Taiji” is a form of energy that is supremely immeasurable and is without tangible limit. The force that gives birth to Yin and Yang and ultimately is responsible for the ever- evolving matter is called “Taiji”. The longevity of this evolving process for any matter arises from the interactions of two types of opposite energies (Yin & Yang) The constantly evolving material world as well as all matter (Change – balance –change –balance) is the result of the antagonistic movement of two great opposing material forces called Yin and Yang. The tenets are:Ĭhange (or evolution) is an inevitable process of all matter.Īll changes follow certain laws and are predictable.īalance or the state of equilibrium is a part of this constant evolution. Written some 3,000 years ago, the book “Yi Jing”, also frequently called the “Book of Changes” in English translation, seeks to explain the causes and laws of motion and change in the natural world. It first appeared in the writings of “Yì Jīng” （易经）, one of the oldest of the Chinese classic texts describing an ancient system of cosmology and philosophy that is intrinsic to ancient Chinese cultural beliefs. The concept of Taijiquan (Pinyin) or Tai Chi Chuan (Wade-Giles) originated from ancient Chinese cosmology and philosophy. Through this process Taijiquan has synthesized into one of the most popular and effective mind and body exercises in the world. Over hundreds of years of development Taijiquan has absorbed the essence of Chinese healing arts and traditional cultural thoughts(Breslow 1999) and has been shaped by the principles of Chinese Martial Arts(Yang 1996). Together the term “Taijiquan” implies a method of movement to cultivate a form of power that has no boundary. The word “Tai” （太）means “Supreme”, “Ji” （极or Chi) means “Boundary” and the word “Quan” （拳or Chuan) means “fist” or “movement”.

History of yin yang philosophy