中医学"火"的辨析

Researches on Fire in Traditional Chinese Medicine

The origin of "Fire" in Traditional Chinese Medicine is summed up based on observation and knowledge of natural fire, followed by abstract thinking, of which the outcomes are best symbolized in the character Fire[火]. Because it is an abstract concept, it is hard to give a single and strict definition. Naturally, it would be necessary to analyze and illustrate the origin of 'Fire' from different angles such as broad definition, multi-definition, levels, classifications and effects. The concept of 'Fire' has four meanings in the aspect of the broad definition: first, natural fire; second, the physiological conception of fire; third, the medical conception of fire; fourth, general concept related to fire. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, fire mainly indicates physiologic fire, pathological fire, the fire in the six kinds of natural climate and the fire as one of the properties and the flavors of herbs.