Exploring the theoretical roots of TCM practice in the Han Dynasty

Background: This essay mainly explores the theoretical roots of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practice in the Han Dynasty. It places individual small lives in the big life of heaven, earth and the universe and looks at life’s occurrence, development and death from a broader cosmology perspective, and thus provide the “Great Harmony between Heaven and Human” in the Huangdi Neijing (Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor) of the Han Dynasty. Methods: This paper mainly uses the analysis method of literature review and philosophical concepts. It uses the image-number logic thinking method of I Ching to compare images with analogy and the holistic thinking method of the three-talent view of heaven, earth, and man to understand life. Results: It is mainly reflected in three aspects: (1) One Yin and one Yang are called Tao ((1) Yin Yang as the coherent fabric of nature and mind, exhibited in all existence, (2) Yin Yang as Jiao (interaction) between the waxing and waning of the cosmic and human realms, and (3) Yin Yang as a process of harmonization ensuring a constant, dynamic balance of all things); (2) The way of life in the Book of Changes; and (3) The Unity of the Way of Heaven and the Way of TCM. Conclusion: The main medical thought laid the theoretical foundation of early practice and the development model of life cognition. It is still worthy of continuous exploration, development, and innovation in contemporary philosophy and life sciences.