Zou Yan and the Yin-Yang School (阴阳家) as recorded in “Records of the Grand Historian” (《史记》) by Sima Qian:

1. Who Was Zou Yan?

• Background: A Warring States period (战国时代) philosopher and the founder of the Yin-Yang School.
• Reputation: Famous for blending cosmology (like Yin-Yang and the Five Elements/Wuxing 五行) with politics/history.
• Style: His theories sounded grand but mysterious—think “big-picture” stuff about how nature rules human events.

2. Key Ideas from 《史记》

• “Five Virtues” Theory (五德终始说):
  • Claimed dynasties rose/fall based on a cycle of 5 elements (Wood→Fire→Earth→Metal→Water).
  • Example: The Zhou Dynasty = Fire Virtue, so the next dynasty (Qin) would be Water (which they later adopted!).
• Geography & Cosmology:
  • Proposed a “Greater China” concept beyond known borders—super bold for his time!
  • Linked geography to cosmic forces (e.g., lands mirror stars).

3. Sima Qian’s Take

• Mixed Review:
  • Praised Zou’s intellect but called his theories “exaggerated” (“其语闳大不经”—flashy but hard to verify).
  • Noted rulers loved his ideas (even if they seemed wild) because they legitimated power.
• Legacy: Though the Yin-Yang School faded, its ideas seeped into Chinese medicine, divination, and Confucianism.

4. Why It Matters

• Science + Supernatural: Zou’s mix of observation (e.g., astronomy) and mysticism shaped traditional Chinese thought.
• Political Tool: His theories gave emperors a “cosmic mandate” cheat code (cough Han Dynasty cough).

Fun Fact: Zou Yan’s “Five Elements” cycle is kinda like an ancient Chinese version of “Game of Thrones” lore—but with more philosophy and less dragons.

Because the age is too long, and more theoretical minority thoughts, there are few historical materials left, so the amount of text introduction is small.