01 What are the Five Elements
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Yin and Yang are actually opposing properties, such as: Heaven is Yang, Earth is Yin; Day is Yang, Night is Yin; Up is Yang, Down is Yin; Heat is Yang, Cold is Yin, etc. However, opposites cannot exist without each other; it is precisely because of the opposition of Yin and Yang that our balance is created.
In fact, our human body can use Yin and Yang balance to explain. In terms of the human body, the surface is Yang, the internal organs are Yin; among the internal organs, the six fu organs are Yang, and the five zang organs are Yin; among the five zang organs, the heart is above and belongs to Yang, while the liver and kidneys are below and belong to Yin; regarding the kidneys, the essence stored in the kidneys is Yin, while the “mingmen fire” of the kidneys is Yang. Thus, it can be seen that the Yin and Yang properties of things are relative.
02 The Harmony of the Five Elements is Based on Yin and Yang
The TCM classic “Huangdi Neijing” states: All things between heaven and earth, within the four directions and above and below, whether it is the nine provinces divided on the ground or the nine orifices, five zang organs, and twelve joints within the human body, are interconnected with the Yin and Yang qi of the natural world. The five elements of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, which arise from the changes of Yin and Yang qi in the natural world, can be used to summarize and classify all things based on the properties of the five elements.
“Huangdi Neijing” also states: “The east generates wind, wind generates forest; the south generates heat, heat generates fire; the center generates dampness, dampness generates earth; the west generates dryness, dryness generates metal; the north generates cold, cold generates water.” From the perspective of TCM, the balance of Yin and Yang is actually the foundation of the harmony of the five elements. The five elements maintain a relationship of Yin and Yang transformation, and within this, metal, wood, water, fire, and earth are also divided into Yin and Yang. Therefore, to maintain balance in Yin and Yang, harmony among the five elements must also be preserved.
03 How to Determine Your Body’s Yin and Yang
Here are some simple methods to help you determine whether your constitution is more Yin or more Yang.
Yin Constitution
Afraid of cold, prefers warmth and heat
Pale skin lacking luster or very pale
Slow speech, soft voice, prone to hoarseness
Cold extremities, fingers thin and soft
Body stiffness, lacking flexibility
Gentle temperament, not talkative
Slow in action, dislikes activity
Does not sweat or sweats little during exercise
Rarely has fever when catching a cold
Dislikes drinking water or only likes hot water
Yang Constitution
Likes cold, enjoys chill, intolerant of cold and heat
Fast speech, loud voice, passionate
Warm extremities, hands thick and strong
Short stature, muscular and robust
Body is flexible, good at bending
Active and optimistic, irritable and quick-tempered
Enjoys exercise, moves quickly and agilely
Likes drinking water, enjoys cold drinks and iced tea
Will have a fever when catching a cold
Oily hair, early hair loss
Check which characteristics match more closely to determine your constitution.
Of course, some people do not strictly belong to either of these two types,
but fall into a balanced constitution that lies between the two types.
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References
[1] Self-Study of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 100 Days
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