San cheng
San cheng
The Three Rectifications, also called san t’ung, which means that in the scheme of macrocosmos — microcosmos relationship between man and the universe, the vital force (ch’i) underlying the correspondence should be so directed and controlled that, first of all, the germination of things, its symbolic color, black, and all governmental and social functions corresponding to it; secondly, the sprouting of things together with its symbolic color, white, and social and political correspondences; and, thirdly, the movement of things and its color, red, and correspondence in human affairs — all become correct. Applied to the interpretation of history, this theory means that the Hsia dynasty (2207-1766 B.C.?) was the reign of Man, the Shang dynasty (1765-1122 B.C.?) that of Earth, and the Chou dynasty (1122?-249 BC ) that of Heaven. (Tung Chung-shu, 177-104 B.C.) — W.T.C.