[Origination and development of syndrome concept in traditional Chinese medicine]

In the opinion of dialectical materialism, concept is developing with the deepening and broadening of human being's mind. The developing process of syndrome concept in traditional Chinese medicine also takes the same way. In the Sui and Tang Dynasties, the connotation of syndrome concept was defined and the embryonic form of syndrome differentiation of zang-fu viscera was formed. In the Song, Jin and Yuan Dynasties, the development of syndrome concept embodied in optimizing the theoretical research based on clinical practice and experiences according to many medical masters in different denominations. The syndrome differentiation of eight principles was established to standardize and perfect the principles of syndrome differentiation in the Qing Dynasty. Modern research of syndrome concept is manifested in objectifying the process of research of syndrome and diseases in different levels and aspects by use of advanced scientific technology.