Development History of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Philosophy
Ancient Period (Before 3000 BCE)
The Three Sovereigns (Fuxi, Shennong, Huangdi)
The emergence of TCM philosophy
Xia Dynasty Period (2070 BCE – 1600 BCE)
Tribal civilization
Founded by Yu the Great
Introduction of the "Lian Shan Yi" system (one of the early divination systems)
Shang Dynasty Period (1600 BCE – 1046 BCE)
Establishment of a dynasty system
Clear national governance structure
Use of oracle bones and divination for rituals
Western Zhou Dynasty Period (1046 BCE – 771 BCE)
King Wu of Zhou established the Western Zhou dynasty
Implementation of the feudal system
King Wen of Zhou created the "Post-Heaven Eight Trigrams" system and the 64 hexagrams in the Zhou Yi (Book of Changes)
Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods (770 BCE – 256 BCE)
Spring and Autumn Period (770 BCE – 476 BCE): Decline of Zhou kings, emergence of regional lords, notable figures like Guan Zhong and Sun Wu (Sun Tzu).
Warring States Period (475 BCE – 256 BCE): Seven powerful states, philosophical schools such as Confucianism (Confucius), Daoism (Laozi), and Mohism competing for influence.
Qin and Han Dynasties (221 BCE – 220 CE)
Unification under the Qin and Han dynasties promoted medical development.
Zhang Zhongjing authored the foundational medical text Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases (Shang Han Lun).
Sui and Tang Dynasties (581 CE – 907 CE)
Establishment of state medical institutions, such as the Imperial Medical Office.
Sun Simiao compiled Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold (Qianjin Yaofang) and Supplement to Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold (Qianjin Yifang).
Song and Yuan Dynasties (960 CE – 1368 CE)
Development of acupuncture: publication of The Great Compendium of Acupuncture (Zhenjiu Dacheng), a classic acupuncture text.
Emergence of distinct medical schools and theories.
Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368 CE – 1912 CE)
Compilation of Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu) by Li Shizhen.
Rise of the "Warm Disease School": Wu Jutong and Ye Tianshi advanced the theory of warm diseases and introduced the "Wei-Qi-Ying-Xue" diagnostic framework.
Zhang Jingyue emphasized the "balance of yin and yang" and holistic treatments.
Modern Era (1912 CE – Present)
Modern integration and innovation of traditional Chinese medicine.
