中國文化核心詞

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中國文化核心詞

虛

/xū/

Xu (Void)

“虛”指世界或者心靈的一種狀態,大體有兩種不同的含義:其一,指世界的本原,萬物皆由虛無中來。但古人對“虛”的這一含義又有不同理解:或認為“虛”就是空虛無有;或認為“虛”指“氣”的存在狀態,因為“氣”的存在隱微無形,故以“虛”稱之,但并非完全空無。其二,指虛靜的或沒有成見的內心狀態。

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 (氣). 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:

太虛無形,氣之本體。(張載《正蒙·太和》)

(“虛”是無形的,是“氣”的本來狀態。)

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

唯道集虛,虛者心齋也。(《莊子·人間世》)

(只有道匯集并呈現于虛靜的心靈,“虛”就是心齋。)

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

陰陽

/yīnyáng/

Yin and Yang (The Two Opposing Principles in Nature)

本義指物體對于日光的向背,向日為“陽”,背日為“陰”。引申而有兩重含義:其一,指天地之間性質相反的兩種氣;其二,指兩種最基本的矛盾勢力或屬性,凡動的、熱的、在上的、向外的、明亮的、亢進的、強壯的為“陽”,凡靜的、寒的、在下的、向內的、晦暗的、減退的、虛弱的為“陰”。“陰”、“陽”或“陰氣”、“陽氣”的相互作用決定著萬物的生成及存在狀態。陰陽理論后來成為古人說明和理解宇宙萬物、社會和人倫秩序的基礎,如天陽地陰、君陽臣陰、夫陽妻陰等,陽貴陰賤,陽主陰從。

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 (氣) 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:

萬物負陰而抱陽,沖氣以為和。(《老子·四十二章》)

(萬物背陰而向陽,陰陽兩氣互相激蕩而成調和狀態。)

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

陰陽無所獨行。(董仲舒《春秋繁露·基義》)

(陰與陽不能單獨發生作用。)

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