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Zou Yan
邹衍

c. 305 – 240 BCE (Warring States Period)约公元前305–前240年（战国时期）
State of Qi (Modern Shandong)齐国（今山东）
Synthesized Yin-Yang and Five Elements theories, proposed the theory of the cyclical succession of the Five Powers (Wude Zhongshi).整合阴阳五行，提出"五德终始"说，奠定术数基础。
Zou Yan Portrait

Basic Information
基本信息

Zou Yan was a prominent philosopher of the Warring States period, best known as the representative thinker of the Yin-Yang School (Yinyangjia). He integrated and systematized the concepts of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements (Wuxing - Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water), proposing the theory of 'Wude Zhongshi' (Cyclical Succession of the Five Powers) to explain historical changes and dynastic succession. His cosmology profoundly influenced Chinese philosophy, science, divination, and political thought.

邹衍是战国时期著名的哲学家，被视为阴阳家的代表人物。他整合并系统化了阴阳与五行（木、火、土、金、水）的概念，提出了"五德终始"学说来解释历史变迁和朝代更替。他的宇宙观深刻影响了中国的哲学、科学、占卜术以及政治思想。

Major Influences & Legacy
主要影响与历史地位

Cosmology & Philosophical Foundations

宇宙观与哲学基础

  • Construction of the Five Elements (Wuxing) System: First to merge Yin-Yang and Five Elements theories, describing the operational mechanisms of the universe.
  • Theory of the Five Powers' Cyclical Succession (Wude Zhongshi): Linked dynastic changes to the Five Elements, establishing a historical view of destiny.
  • 五行体系建构：首创阴阳五行合流理论，描述宇宙运行机制。
  • 五德终始学说：将王朝更替与五行相配，建立历史命运观。

Foundation of I Ching Studies & Numerological Arts

易学与术数奠基

  • Philosophical Framework for Numerology: Provided a unified theoretical model for metaphysics, Feng Shui, and calendrical systems.
  • Model of Five Elements Interaction (Production & Conquest): Became the logical basis for numerological systems like Ziping Bazi.
  • 术数哲学架构：为命理风水历法提供理论统一模型。
  • 五行制化模型：成为子平法等术数系统的逻辑基础。

Theoretical Source for Chinese Metaphysical Arts (Ming Li Xue)

命理学的理论源泉

  • Five Elements Governing Destiny (Sheng Ke Yun Ming): Inferred the principles of Five Elements interaction (production/conquest) in metaphysics.
  • Theory of Spatio-Temporal Order: Used the Five Elements to define time cycles and stages of destiny.
  • 五行生克运命：推演命理中的五行克应原则。
  • 时空秩序理论：用五行定义时间循环与命运阶段。

Religious Veneration & Deification

宗教与神格化

Revered as the "Ancestor of the Yin-Yang School".

  • His Five Powers theory influenced Daoist views on dynastic divine right.

被尊为"阴阳家祖师"。

  • 其五德学说影响道教王朝神权观。

Cosmic Resonance & Numerological Systematization

天人感应与术数系统化

  • Basis for Heaven-Human Resonance (Tian Ren Gan Ying): Constructed the mechanism for correspondence between human destiny and nature.
  • Systematization of Numerological Arts: Established model-based thinking for metaphysical prediction.
  • 天人感应基础：构建人与自然命运呼应机制。
  • 术数数理系统化：建立命理预测的模型化思维。

Chain of Influence on Later Figures

后世影响人物链

  • Key Transmission: Yin-Yang and Five Elements unified model.
  • Key Influenced Figures Chain:
    • Dong Zhongshu (董仲舒)
    • Liu Xin (刘歆)
    • Xu Shen (许慎)
    • Xu Ziping (徐子平)
  • Final Outcome: Theoretical foundation of the Five Elements model in metaphysics.
  • 关键传承：阴阳五行合一模型。
  • 受影响的关键人物链：
    • 董仲舒
    • 刘歆
    • 许慎
    • 徐子平
  • 最终成果：命理五行模型理论根基。

Famous Quotes
经典名句

"The movements of the Five Powers (Wuxing) succeed one another, governing the cycles of history and nature."

"五德转移，治各有宜，而符应若兹。"

— Derived from Sima Qian's account of Zou Yan's Wude Zhongshi theory in Records of the Grand Historian
— 源自《史记》中司马迁对邹衍五德终始学说的记述

"Observe the waxing and waning of Yin and Yang to understand the transformations of all things."

"观阴阳消息，而作怪迂之变。"

— Attributed saying reflecting his cosmological approach
— 反映其宇宙观方法的引语

Summary & Conclusion
总结与评价

Zou Yan plays a pivotal role in Chinese thought by providing a unifying framework for understanding the cosmos and human affairs through Yin-Yang and Five Elements. His theories became foundational for various fields, including traditional Chinese medicine, alchemy, astrology, divination (including Bazi), and political philosophy.

邹衍在中国思想体系中扮演关键角色，其影响深远地体现在易学、哲学、命理与政治制度等多重领域。