中国文化核心词



中国文化核心词

虚

/xū/

Xu (Void)

“虚”指世界或者心灵的一种状态,大体有两种不同的含义:其一,指世界的本原,万物皆由虚无中来。但古人对“虚”的这一含义又有不同理解:或认为“虚”就是空虚无有;或认为“虚”指“气”的存在状态,因为“气”的存在隐微无形,故以“虚”称之,但并非完全空无。其二,指虚静的或没有成见的内心状态。

Xu refers to a state of the cosmos or a state of mind. Basically, it has two different meanings. The first refers to the origin of the universe, indicating that everything originates in xu. Different ancient thinkers have different interpretations of this notion: Some take xu as being devoid of anything; others believe it is the state of existence of qi (气). Because qi is invisible and formless, it is said to be empty, but not a vacuum. The second meaning of xu refers to a state of mind that is peaceful, not preoccupied or simply free of any preconceptions.

引例 Citations:

太虚无形,气之本体。(张载《正蒙·太和》)

(“虚”是无形的,是“气”的本来状态。)

Xu is formless; it is the original state of qi. (Zhang Zai: Enlightenment Through Confucian Teachings)

唯道集虚,虚者心斋也。(《庄子·人间世》)

(只有道汇集并呈现于虚静的心灵,“虚”就是心斋。)

Dao gathers and presents itself in an unoccupied and peaceful mind; being unoccupied means the pure state of the mind. (Zhuangzi)

阴阳

/yīnyáng/

Yin and Yang (The Two Opposing Principles in Nature)

本义指物体对于日光的向背,向日为“阳”,背日为“阴”。引申而有两重含义:其一,指天地之间性质相反的两种气;其二,指两种最基本的矛盾势力或属性,凡动的、热的、在上的、向外的、明亮的、亢进的、强壮的为“阳”,凡静的、寒的、在下的、向内的、晦暗的、减退的、虚弱的为“阴”。“阴”、“阳”或“阴气”、“阳气”的相互作用决定着万物的生成及存在状态。阴阳理论后来成为古人说明和理解宇宙万物、社会和人伦秩序的基础,如天阳地阴、君阳臣阴、夫阳妻阴等,阳贵阴贱,阳主阴从。

The primary meaning of yin and yang is the orientation of things in relation to the sun, yang meaning the sunny side and yin the shady side. There are two extended meanings: 1) two opposite kinds of qi (气) in nature; and 2) two basic contrary forces or qualities that coexist, thus the active, hot, upward, outward, bright, forward, and strong are yang, while the passive, cold, downward, inward, dark, backward, and weak are yin. The interaction between yin and yang, or yin qi and yang qi, determines the formation and existence of all things. The theory of yin and yang later became the basis for ancient Chinese to explain and understand the universe and everything in it, social order, and human relations. For example, heaven is yang and earth is yin, a ruler is yang and subordinates are yin, a husband is yang and a wife is yin, noble is yang and ignoble is yin, leading is yang and following is yin.

引例 Citations:

万物负阴而抱阳,冲气以为和。(《老子·四十二章》)

(万物背阴而向阳,阴阳两气互相激荡而成调和状态。)

All things stand, facing yang and against yin. The interaction between yin and yang creates a state of harmony. (Laozi)

阴阳无所独行。(董仲舒《春秋繁露·基义》)

(阴与阳不能单独发生作用。)

Yin and yang cannot work without each other. (Dong Zhongshu: Luxuriant Gems of The Spring and Autumn Annals)