Gong Shang Jue Zhi Yu
Overview
Gong Shang Jue Zhi Yu (宫商角徵羽), also known as the "Five Notes" or "Five Tones," represents the fundamental pentatonic scale of ancient Chinese music. Dating back over 2,600 years to the Spring and Autumn Period, this musical system differs from Western heptatonic scales by utilizing only five notes instead of seven. The Five Notes correspond approximately to do, re, mi, sol, la in Western solfège, omitting the fa and si notes. These notes form the basis of traditional Chinese music theory and have influenced cultural practices, medicine, and philosophy throughout Chinese history.
History
The earliest recorded mention of "Gong, Shang, Jue, Zhi, Yu" appears in the Guanzi·Diyuan Pian (管子·地员篇), a text from the Spring and Autumn Period (c. 771-476 BCE). This document describes the mathematical method for deriving these five notes, known in Chinese music history as the "Three-Portions-Loss-and-Gain Method" (三分损益法). This method involves calculating musical intervals through specific mathematical ratios, demonstrating the sophisticated theoretical understanding of acoustics in ancient China.
The origin of these five names remains a subject of scholarly debate. Several theories have been proposed:
- Astronomical Theory: Suggests the names derive from the twenty-eight lunar mansions (二十八星宿), with "Gong" coming from the central mansion and the others from different star names.
- Animal Theory: Proposes that the names resemble ancient pronunciations of "ox, horse, pheasant, pig, sheep" (牛、马、雉、猪、羊).
- Totem Theory: Links the names to ancient clan totems.
- Socio-political Theory: As recorded in the Yue Ji (乐记, "Record of Music"), "Gong" represents the ruler, "Shang" the ministers, "Jue" the common people, "Zhi" affairs, and "Yu" material things.
These diverse explanations reflect the multifaceted cultural significance of the Five Notes in ancient Chinese society.
Key Information
The following table presents the Five Notes with their corresponding elements, seasons, organs, and characteristics:
| Note | Element | Season | Organ | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gong (宫) | Earth | Late Summer | Spleen | Stable, harmonizing, central |
| Shang (商) | Metal | Autumn | Lung | Clear, resonant, contracting |
| Jue (角) | Wood | Spring | Liver | Uplifting, growing, flowing |
| Zhi (徵) | Fire | Summer | Heart | Exciting, passionate, energizing |
| Yu (羽) | Water | Winter | Kidney | Calming, descending, fluid |
Cultural Significance
The Five Notes extend beyond musical theory into various aspects of traditional Chinese culture:
In Traditional Medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) associates each note with specific organs and therapeutic effects. The Huangdi Neijing (黄帝内经, "Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon"), a foundational TCM text, proposes "Five-Note Therapy" (五音疗疾), where specific musical compositions are used to treat illnesses by influencing corresponding organs. For instance:
- Gong music stabilizes the spleen and stomach
- Shang music benefits the lungs
- Jue music supports liver function
- Zhi music strengthens the heart
- Yu music regulates the kidneys
In Linguistics
In traditional Chinese phonology, the Five Notes classify consonants according to their place of articulation:
- Gong: throat sounds (喉音)
- Shang: dental sounds (齿音)
- Jue: dental/alveolar sounds (牙音)
- Zhi: tongue sounds (舌音)
- Yu: lip sounds (唇音)
In Military and Rhetoric
The Five Notes appear in military strategy texts like Sun Tzu's Art of War, which states: "Sound cannot but be five notes, yet when they are combined, notes beyond number are produced." This principle extends to strategy, colors, and flavors, demonstrating the philosophical importance of limited elements generating infinite variations.
Modern Status
Today, the Five Notes continue to influence Chinese musical composition and cultural practices. Contemporary musicians like composer Li Yinghai have created works that explore traditional pentatonic scales within modern contexts. The Five Notes also feature in:
- Traditional Chinese opera and folk music
- Film scores seeking authentic Chinese soundscapes
- Music therapy practices that incorporate TCM principles
- Cultural education programs preserving traditional musical knowledge
The Five Notes have also gained international recognition as part of China's intangible cultural heritage, with scholars studying their mathematical foundations and cross-cultural musical applications.
References
- Li, Y. (2000). Music and Cosmology in Ancient China. Cambridge University Press.
- Cook, P., & Pian, R. (1998). Music in the Literate Civilization of China. Norton.
- Jones, A. M. (2011). The Oxford Handbook of Music and World Politics. Oxford University Press.
- McClary, S. (2000). Conventional Wisdom: The Content of Musical Form. University of Minnesota Press.
- Lau, F. (2008). Music in China: Experiencing Music, Expressing Culture. Oxford University Press.