A Study on the Conceptual Origin of Pathogenic Qi in the Mawangdui Yishu

마왕퇴의서 속 사기(邪氣)의 시원적(始原的) 개념 고찰

Objectives : This paper aims to analyze the origins of the pathogenic qi[邪氣] concept through analysis of related character shapes and examples within the Mawangdui Yishu, where we can grasp the state of medicine pre-Huangdineijing. Methods : Etymology was determined through ancient character analysis, while examples of its usage and original texts were compared to extract their implications. For usage analysis, medical texts of later periods that contained similar verses or contents with the Mawangdui text were compared, through which similarities and changes in meaning of the word or verse were examined. Conclusions : While the term 'xieqi(邪氣, pathogenic qi)' had not yet been mentioned in the Mawangdui text, 'eqi(惡氣)' was used similarly. Wind[風], cold[寒], dampness[濕] were not only understood as terms referring to weather or climate but possible causes for disease. Meanwhile, there was lingering belief from the Shang(商) period that saw disease as God's punishment, which could be seen as transition phenomenon from superstition to rational thought. Through diseases 'wind disease[風病]' and 'bi(痹)', we could determine that medicine at the time was limited to the Yin-yang theory, having not yet integrated the Five phases perspective. Moreover, the possibility of other pathogenic qi elements, 'heat[暑]', 'dryness[燥]', and 'fire[火]' could be assumed to have been embedded in 'wenbing(溫病)'.