ABSTRACT
https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781315828060/49546f0e-ce84-4e70-9b40-7107f16ee305/content/unfig_i_B.tif" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"/>N the last chapter it was shown that in the multiple soul of Chinese metaphysics the five Shen were posited in the five Viscera, and we shall now discover that these five Viscera are correlated with the five elements, which play such an important part in the Hung ceremony, which in their turn are linked with several other important aspects of existence. The Chinese, like the Hindus, and unlike the Western nations, have five, not four, elements and correlate them with the five cardinal points, namely, North, South, East, West and Centre. These elements and cardinal points have also their distinctive colours, and not only are the elements said to preside over the five Viscera, but the latter are regarded as the seats of the five great Chinese virtues. The following table sets out the supposed relation which exists between these groups:—
|
Viscera. |
Virtue. |
Elements. |
Card. Point. |
Season. |
Colour. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Liver. |
Benevolence. |
Wood. |
East. |
Spring. |
Blue. |
|
Lungs. |
Righteousness. |
Metal. |
West. |
Autumn. |
White. |
|
Heart. |
Ceremonial Perfection. |
Fire. |
South. |
Summer. |
Red. |
|
Kidneys. |
Knowledge. |
Water. |
North. |
Winter. |
Black. |
|
Spleen |
Trustworthiness. |
Earth. |
Centre. |
Yellow. (a) |
