Several Studies Of Yin And Yang Five Elements And The Sui And Tang Dynasties

Yin-Yang and Five Element theory is one of the basic epistemology and methodology of the Chinese nation. This theory, which once was very popular, has been confused by thousands of years, even though science is highly developed now. In Sui and Tang Dynasties, which were the heyday of the politics, economy and culture of ancient China, the Yin-Yang and Five Element theory had developed to its peak and was closely related to ancient Astro-science like anthroposcopy, astrology and geomancy. By discussing how Yin-Yang and Five Element influences anthroposcopy, astrology and geomancy in Sui and Tang Dynasties, this paper tries to present its impact on society and culture, set apart its essence from dross, and restore its original side.Chapter one introduces Yin-Yang and Five Element theory’s development by describing a variety of its origins in Pre-Qin Period and how Yin-Yang and Five Element combines afterward.This part mainly focuses on its development in Sui and Tang Dynasties, elaborates its details and proves that this theory had been used extensively already at that time.Chapter two mainly presents how quickly anthroposcopy developed and how it became extremely popular during Sui-Tang dynasties. Warlocks in Sui-Tang dynasties, whose theories were based on people’s appearances and bones, came from different social classes with different backgrounds and they were mainly classified into two kinds as the professional and the amateur. Anthroposcopy has its deep root in Sui-Tang dynasties and its wide application has great effects on appointment of political figures and rights in that time. The theory of Yin-yang and Five-element, a simple materialism and methodology in traditional Chinese culture, is also one of the basic theories of anthroposcopy culture. The anthroposcopy in Sui-Tang dynasties contains both science and feudal superstition. Only when we separate the essence from the dross, can we have a clear understanding to Yin-yang and Five-element and anthroposcopy in Sui-Tang dynasties.Chapter three describes the general situation of Astronomical astrology institutions, which includes their setting changes and functions, and the relationship between Yin-Yang and Five Element to eclipse divination, star divination and meteor divination, which is quite influential in reaching military and political decisions. The description in this part reveals the reason why judicial astrology can actually predict, and also the truth that genethlialogy derived during Sui and Tang Dynasties.Chapter four presents some famous geomancers’stories and suspicions that have been found therefrom. During Sui and Tang Dynasties, the idea of haunted house is deeply rooted and has some influence in designs of Tang Dynasty imperial mausoleums and camps. Meanwhile, according to some personages’ critiques, the absurd nature of "Wuxingxiangzhai" theory has been exposited. This also shows that geomancy still needs more exploration and research.The closing part points out that Yin-Yang Five Element has some connection with auspicious-picking and taboo-avoiding anthroposcopies and makes a clear definition: Yin-Yang Five Element is a kind of unostentatious materialism and epistemology that our ancient ancestors used to understand and change the world and it doesn’t contain any fetishistic mark. The reason why this theory is been confused is that for a long time it has been used by anthroposcopy which is partially unscientific.