Example Analysis of Application of Image-Based Thinking in Research on Classic Theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine
LU Mingyuan
Abstract：Image-based thinking is a method commonly employed in the cognitive framework of traditional Chinese scientific and cultural knowledge systems.It serves as the cornerstone for the theoretical construction of Inner Canon of Huangdi and embodies the essence of Chinese medical theory.Nearly all fundamental concepts in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)were developed by ancient practitioners through observation of natural and human phenomena,aided by image-based thinking.By enumerating and analyzing the application of image-based thinking in the theoretical research of TCM concepts such as"Mingmen(vital gate)","Jun and Xiang(the monarch and the minister)","gallbladder",and"parasitic diseases",this article illustrates that the foundational premise of research on classic theories of TCM lies in preserving authenticity and inheritance.Only by returning to image-based thinking can we trace back to the origins and true essence of the core concepts of TCM,clearly distinguish the similarities and differences among terms,address gaps in the transmitted theoretical heritage,and avoid misinterpretations of classic theories.
Keywords：image-based thinkingclassics of traditional Chinese medicinetheoretical researchMingmen(vital gate)Jun and Xiang(the monarch and the minister)gallbladderparasitic diseases
Publication Date：2026-04-05
Online Publishing Date：2026-05-22(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：5( 341-344,351 )