Analyze the Text Contradiction of Viscera in Inner Canon of Huangdi Based on the View of"Four Seasons and Five Elements"
10.16466/j.issn1005-5509.2025.07.004
- VernacularTitle:基于四时五行观探析《内经》时藏脉的文本矛盾
- Author:
Jiao WANG
1
;
Youjuan HOU
;
Hong ZHENG
Author Information
1. 浙江中医药大学基础医学院 杭州 310053
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Inner Canon of Huangdi;
four seasons and five elements;
seasoral-visceral pulse;
central region;
five seasons and five elements;
long summer;
Tianhui Medical Bamboo Slips
- From:
Journal of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University
2025;49(7):822-833
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
[Objective]Based on the ancient view of"four seasons and five elements",to analyze the source of the two contradictory texts in Inner Canon of Huangdi,namely,the spleen is not in control and the flat pulse is not in control("the good one is not visible"),and the spleen is in control of the long summer and the flat pulse is in control("the soft one is weak"or"apart from the soft one,like a chicken treading on the ground").[Methods]By adopting an integrated research approach that combines philology,historiography and theoretical studies,this paper first interprets the relevant theories of the seasonal-visceral pulses in Inner Canon of Huangdi and points out the textual contradictions existing therein.Then,it traces the origin of the Five Elements thought in the formation of the seasonal-visceral pulse theory,revealing the two main schemas generated by the Five Elements doctrine in different stages of development.Finally,from the perspective of how philosophical thoughts influence the formation of medical theories,it explains the construction of the seasonal-visceral theory in Inner Canon of Huangdi.Furthermore,using the dual-evidence method and combining the unearthed literature Tianhui Medical Bamboo Slips,it points out the reasons for the emergence of the seasonal-visceral pulse texts and further conducts an objective reflection on the methods of interpreting medical classics.[Results]The emergence of the text contradiction of the viscera was closely related to the view of"four seasons and five elements"and the"five seasons and five elements"produced by its evolution.The concept of"four seasons and five elements"originated from the ancient people's simple observation and understanding of the composition and interrelationship of time and space and the material world,and was based on nature and social practice.The concept of"four seasons and five elements"is used in the construction of the theory of four seasons and five viscera in traditional Chinese medicine.Under the theory system of four seasons and five viscera,the spleen was the main palace,not the main time,so the spleen did not respond to the normal pulse.The"five seasons and five elements"was accompanied by the emergence of the five elements of the circulation pattern,the reinterpretation of the law of the four seasons,the five seasons should be a more complete closed loop of the five viscera,but it was not derived from a more universal practice law,and can not completely replace the theory of the viscera under the guidance of the four seasons and five elements.In particular,the flat pulse of the spleen governing the summer in the five viscera veins did not have clinical reference,but to a greater extent,it was a mechanical adaptation for the logical self-consistency of the five seasons thought.[Conclusion]The philosophical thought of the Five Elements is the root cause of the textual contradictions in the seasonal-visceral pulse theory,which reflects that the construction of TCM theory is deeply influenced by ancient Chinese philosophy.Abiding by the laws of objective practice and clarifying the formation and evolution of medical-philosophical thoughts are conducive to a deeper understanding of Inner Canon of Huangdi,thereby better interpreting and inheriting the classics.
