The Frost's Descent and the Reversed Woman: An Inquiry into the Ritual, Heavenly Way, and Moderation of Pre-Qin Marriage Regulations
This article deeply interprets the twelve characters, 'The Frost's Descent and the Reversed Woman, Ice Thaws and Killing Ceases, One Coitus in Ten Days,' tracing their origins in Pre-Qin classics like the *Rites of Zhou* and the *Book of Rites*. It analyzes the underlying principles concerning temporal restrictions on marriage, Yin-Yang philosophy, agricultural governance considerations, and sexual moderation, aiming to reconstruct the core of Pre-Qin ritualistic thought.
Chapter 13: Pre-Qin Health Preservation and "Once in Ten Days, an Embrace"
Section 1: General Discourse on Pre-Qin Health Preservation
The principle of moderation in sexual life ("Once in ten days, an embrace") is central to Pre-Qin theories on preserving jing (essence) and qi. The Guanzi advises against both excessive indulgence and complete abstinence.
Section 2: Essence-Qi Theory and Moderation Frequency
The rhythm of ten days is inferred as the necessary time cycle for the recovery of jing qi consumed during intercourse, ensuring accumulation rather than depletion.
Section 3: Coordination of Diet and Conjugal Visits
Diet (winter foods being warming and restorative) is seen as supplementing the qi consumed during regulated visits, reinforcing the seasonal structure of moderation.
Section 4: Coordination of Daily Routine and Visits
The winter routine of "early to bed, late to rise" (zǎo wò wǎn qǐ 早卧晚起) is explicitly aimed at conserving Yang qi. Excessive visits would violate this principle and harm the Kidneys, leading to weakness in spring.