The Biography of Zou Yan, Master of Yin and Yang

The founder of the Yin-Yang School was Zou Yan (c. 324–250 BCE), a native of the State of Qi in the late Warring States period. He was the key figure who systematically combined yin-yang theory with the Five Phases theory to form the doctrine of the Five Phases and Yin-Yang.

His core ideas and contributions were as follows:

1. He founded the Theory of the Five Virtues in Succession. This was Zou Yan’s most important theory. He believed that the cycles and succession of the five fundamental substances, metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, known as the Five Virtues, were the forces that determined the rise and fall of dynasties and the course of history. Each dynasty corresponded to one virtue. When the old virtue declined, a new one would take its place in accordance with Heaven’s will. This theory later became an important basis for legitimizing the rise and fall of dynasties.

2. He proposed the Theory of the Nine Great Provinces. In his view of geography, he challenged the contemporary belief that China was the whole world. He argued that China, or the “Red County, Divine Land,” was merely one of the world’s eighty-one provinces, demonstrating a geographical outlook that reached far beyond his time.

3. He helped bring the theory into politics. Zou Yan’s ideas were not merely philosophical speculation, but were closely tied to politics. They offered rulers of the various states a theoretical basis for seeking legitimate rule and lasting stability, and were therefore highly valued by the feudal lords in the late Warring States period.