• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.13 no.2 s.17
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• pp.174-188
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• 2000

The meaning of Tiangui(天癸) in $Suwen{\cdot}Shanggutianzhenlun\;素問{\cdot}上古天眞論$ is very important because it has the cause of 'having a child' and it shows the signs to being healthy. But until now there have been many arguments about what the correct meaning of Tiangui is. The most important thing in these arguments is to compare and analyze Neijing(內經) commentators' views, and to understand differences between their views. So I compared and analyzed by focusing on Neijing(內經) text, the other books with explanatory notes, and other commentators' views, and, after that. I got the following results. 1. On the meaning of Tian(天), Wangbing(王氷) and Mashi(馬蒔) considered that it is inborn. Zhangjiecong(張志聽) considered it as the Yang(陽) producing Yin(陰) Zhangjiebin(張介賓) regarded it as the Yang(陽) of Gua symbol. On the meaning of the Gui(癸). Zhangjiebin(張介賓) said that it is Yin qi(陰氣) which is the prior step to Xing(形). Mashi(馬蒔) and Zhangzhicong(張志聽) said that it is spirit or Jingxue(spiritual sanguine) which is the concrete constituents in our body. 2. On the relation bet ween Tian(天) and Gui(癸), Mashi(馬蒔) and Zhangzhicong(張志聽) said that Gui(癸) is made from Tian(天), and Zhangjiebin(張介賓) said that Tian is intrinsic in Gui(癸). 3. On the relation between Tiangui(天癸) and Jingxue(精血), Yangshangshan(楊上善). Wangbing(王氷), and Zhangjiebin(張介賓) regarded Tiangui(天癸) as a concrete matter which is the prior step to becoming Jingxue(精血). Mashi(馬蒔) and Zhangjiecong(張志聽) considered Tiangui(天癸) as a concrete matter. Mashi(馬蒔) considered Tiangui(天癸) as Jing(精)which is directly related to pregnancy. Zhangjiecong(張志聽) regarded Tiangui(天癸) as Jingxue(精血) which controls general physiology of men and women. 4. On the function of Tiangui(天癸), Yangshangshan(楊上善) and Wangbing(王氷) considered that Tiangui (天癸) has relation to menstruation. pregnancy. and, production and extinction of Jing(精). Zhangjiecong(張志聽) argued that Tiangui(天癸) strengthens and warms muscle and derma. and controls differential physiology between men and women, and said that the maintenance of its activity is based on the acquired spirit of food. A book of 『Huangti Neijing Yanjiu Dacheng(黃帝內經硏究大成)』 said that the function of Tiangui(天癸) is to promote generation, to develop the second sexual symbol, and to make growing and aging in body. It also said that Tiangui(天癸) has some relation to kidney and other organs, Chong Meridian, Ren Meridian, Du Meridian, and Dai Meridian. 5. Other commentators of 『Neijing(內經)』 accepted the meaning of Tiangui(天癸) as the prior step of both man's spiritual overflowing and woman's menstruation. 6. On the relation between Tiangui(天癸). and, Cheng and Ren Meridians, Yangshangshan(楊上善) and Zhangjiecong(張志聽) said that Tiangui(天癸) has direct relation with two meridians. Wangbing(王氷) said that Tiangui(天癸) and two meridians have no direct relation. Now I compared commentaors' views of Tiangui(天癸) and studied the differences between their views. I concluded that on the concept of Tiangui(天癸), Zhangjiebin(張介賓)'s explanations express well its connotative meaning. And on the function of Tiangui (天癸), Zhangjiecong(張志聽)'s explanations are excellent because he organized well his seniors' views, and extended its meaning by showing Neijing(內經)'s phrases related to Chong and Ren Meridians. Also, Mashi(馬蒔) suggested that if Tiangui(天癸) comes earlier than normal. people will die soon. But I think that more studies on male and female bodies are needed as to Mashi(馬蒔)'s argument.