Abstract:

While discussing the origin and evolution of the term “liver” in TCM, we can find that the relationship between “signifier/signified” of “liver” has been transferred many times: material entity→function→material entity. The syntagmatic and paradigmatic relations of “liver”, reveal the direction of meaning of “liver” and its position in the whole symbol system. The metaphor and metonymy of “liver”, also reveal its syntagmatic and paradigmatic relations. Metaphor is based on similarity, metonymy is based on proximity, and thus can explain the formation of the concept of “liver” in TCM. According to the diachronic investigation, the signified of “liver” is confused and its boundary is not clear. In the current standard system of TCM terms, there is still a lack of an important term “gan system”. The use of the word “gan system” is reasonable in two aspects of word frequency and motivation, and has a strong discrimination and explanatory function. The terms of the same hierarchy such as “xin system” “pi system” “fei system” “shen system” etc. should also be increased to conform to the systematization of terminology.

Key words: liver, gan system, symbol, visceral manifestations, metaphor, TCM language, standardization of terms