Traditional Interpretation of the Theory of Yin-Yang and Five Elements

The theory of Yin-Yang and Five Elements is one of the important systems of Han traditional culture. It is the theoretical basis for China to explain the opposition and mutual growth and decline of Yin and Yang in nature in ancient times, and it is also the philosophical conceptual basis for explaining the origin and diversity of all things in the world. The ontological core of China's philosophy lies in a formula: Heaven (Qi) generates Yin and Yang, Yin and Yang form five elements, and the five elements turn into all things, and the existing mode and relationship of all things have been pursuing a kind of "harmony". This is China's traditional view of the universe and the fundamental spirit of China's ancient aesthetic thought. Laozi said: "Tao gives birth to one, one, two, two, three and three things. Everything is negative and holds Yang, and it is thought to be harmony." This is the first cosmic generation system in China. It undoubtedly contains the idea that everything in the world is born of yin and yang. Qi, as the basic element of the world, produces five elements under the interaction of yin and yang in nature. The interaction of the five elements produces infinite changes in everything in the universe; Because of the opposition of Yin and Yang and the coexistence of five elements, everything can develop harmoniously. This shows that China people have long regarded the universe as an interconnected whole, and there is a profound interaction between heaven and earth. On the basis of experience, people gradually sum up this symmetrical and antagonistic relationship into the theory of "Yin-Yang and Five Elements", and with the help of these basic elements and other secondary relationships, the universe is formed into a unified whole. This idea of overall unity, circular balance, mutual restriction, combination of rigidity and softness, harmony and perfection has become a remarkable feature of Han traditional art.