What exactly are Yin-Yang and Five Elements, and do they have scientific attributes?

The theory of yin-yang and five elements is a theory that expounds the structure, development and change law of everything in the universe with yin-yang and five elements. It first appeared in the late Western Zhou Dynasty, and gradually developed into an ideological system in the Warring States Period, that is, Yin-Yang and Five Elements. Expressed as the Book of Rites? The moon order is closely related to the development of astronomy, calendar, meteorology, biology, medicine and other natural sciences.

On this basis, Zou Yan, a Qi man, developed and founded the theory of "Five Virtues at the End" to explain the rise and fall of the dynasty in order to meet the needs of the new unified dynasty politics.

Qin Shihuang was very interested in this theory and finally adopted it.

So, what exactly are Yin-Yang and Five Elements?

In fact, yin and yang and five elements are divided into two aspects. Yin and Yang were gradually germinated and formed by the ancients in observing astronomical meteorology, seasonal changes and other practical activities. Yin, the original meaning is that clouds cover the sun; Yang, the original meaning is sunrise. People see that the phenomena of day and night, rain or shine, cold and heat, and lunar eclipse all contain two opposing aspects, so they are abstractly summarized as yin and yang. They are regarded as two basic elements that promote the emergence and change of all things and dominate all things.

The five elements refer to the five basic material elements that make up the world: water, fire, wood, gold and earth. Ancient thinkers used these five common substances in daily life to illustrate the origin of everything in the world and the diversity of things. During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, the Five Elements Theory was very popular.

It can be seen that yin and yang are the content and the five elements are the form. The mutual transformation of Yin and Yang, the coexistence of the five elements, and the coexistence of each other reflect the simple materialist dialectics of the ancient people in China.

The philosophy of "Yin-Yang and Five Elements" has been gradually integrated into people's lives in China, which has great influence on astronomy, meteorology, chemistry, mathematics, music, medicine and martial arts.

In fact, from a philosophical point of view, the theory of "yin-yang and five elements" still has certain scientific truth.

However, in the Han Dynasty, after Dong Zhongshu put forward the theory of "Yin-Yang and Five Elements, Harmony between Man and Nature", the theory of "Yin-Yang and Five Elements" shifted from philosophy to other fields. For example, Emperor Guangwu castrated it into a "divination" that uses Confucian classics to tell fortune, and the right to interpret divination belongs to the official. Until now, you will see many people in China use the "Yin-Yang and Five Elements" to tell fortune, see geomantic omen and calculate good fortune.

Through the analysis of birth and five elements, people's appearance, body shape, personality, health, and even the ups and downs of life are closely related to yin and yang and five elements.

At this time, the theory of "Yin-Yang and Five Elements" has deviated from the scientific track.

However, after all, this is the traditional culture left by our ancestors, and we have to continue to learn and pass it on.