40. The Principle of Oriental Medicine ： Analogy Through Imagery

In the Book of Changes (Yi Jing), there is a concept that reads, “Order is governed by principle, energy, image, and number, with imagery at its foundation” (理氣象數, 以象爲本). In Eastern philosophy, all things in the universe are believed to exist through the combination of “li” (理; principle) and “qi” (氣; vital energy). “Li” refers to the rules and basic laws of nature, while “qi” refers to the activities carried out in accordance with those principles. Since both “li” and “qi” are metaphysical concepts, the observation and study of physical forms or appearances (象, imagery) of all things are used as the basis for understanding.

“取象比类” (Analogy Through Imagery) literally means to “take images and compare them by category.” That is, in order to understand the interactive phenomena between humans and nature, one classifies things according to similar shapes and dynamic characteristics and explores their interactions. Groups that fall under the same imagery are thought to share similar properties. Therefore, interactions occur not only between plants, animals, and minerals but also within humans under the same natural principles.

For instance, symptoms such as dizziness leading to a fall, convulsions in the limbs, or trembling all share the common feature of “shaking.” As this motion resembles the wind, such symptoms are categorized as “wind syndromes” and diagnosed and treated based on the properties of wind.

When relating colors to internal organs, Oriental Medicine classifies conditions as follows:

• “If there is heat in the lungs, the color turns white and the body hair is damaged.

• If there is heat in the heart, the color turns red and the meridians become unstable.

• If there is heat in the liver, the color turns green and the fingernails crack.

• If there is heat in the spleen, the color turns yellow and the flesh aches.

• If there is heat in the kidneys, the color turns black and dental problems arise.”

By extending the thinking process of “analogy through imagery,” Oriental Medicine presents a wide range of diagnostic and treatment methods.

The three major philosophical foundations of Oriental Medicine are:

1. Holism (整体观)

2. Pattern Differentiation (辨证观)

3. Imagery-Based Analogy (相似观), also referred to as Morphological Analogy (分形观).

By using imagery as a foundation, and analyzing natural phenomena and all beings through time and spatial concepts, theories such as Yin-Yang, Five Elements, Meridians, and Viscera Manifestation were developed and applied to the human body.

Dr. Jin-man Kim, director of Peace Oriental Clinic