Thinking Mode of Zhou Yi Study in Traditional Time-varied Acupuncture

Abstract

This paper explores the intrinsic linkage between traditional time-varied acupuncture and Zhou Yi(The Book of Changes)philosophy. It is suggested that the develpoment of traditional time-varied acupuncture methods such as Heavenly stem-prescription of point selection, Earthly branch-prescription of point selection, Point selection method of engendering among the five phases, Eight methods of intelligent turtle and Method of eight flight were all affected by the image-numberology mathematical theories of Zhou Yi study. Under the guidance of Zhou Yi philosophy, the theories of Yin-Yang, Five phases, Heavenly stems and Earthly Branches, and Nine-palaces and Eight-winds in Zhou Yi study were associated with the concepts of the unity between nature and human beings and the circulating period of Qixue inside the meridians in 'Yellow Emperor’s Canon of Medicine' closely, thus the thinking mode in Zhou Yi study became the main basic principles for building up the fundamental theories and specific methods of traditional time-varied acupuncture. The changes of Yin-Yang and Five phases were used to calculate the circulating period of Qi and blood inside the meridians and select the corresponding points for each specific time, so that the theoretical principles of traditional time-varied acupuncture were systematized and embodied. All these obviously reflect the influence of Zhou Yi philosophy on the formation of traditional time-varied acupuncture methods.

本文探討了傳統時間針法與易學之間的內在聯系,認為子午流注納甲法、納子(支)法、養子時刻注穴法、靈龜八法和飛騰八法等傳統時間針法的形成是在易學象數學說的指導下,把《黃帝內經》中有關人與天地相參、經脈氣血流注、針刺須候氣逢時等學說與陰陽五行、天干地支、九宮八卦等結合在一起,以陰陽五行的生克變化來推算人體氣血的開闔和所相應的經脈穴位,從而將按時刺灸的理論原則加以系統化和具體化,充分體現了易學的哲學思維方式對傳統時間針法形成和構建的影響。