On the question of the quintessence of the Chinese philosophy a viewpoint is representative that regarded middle (or centre) as the core concept of Chinese philosophy. Although Confucianism, Buddhism and the Doctrine of Master Lao explained “middle (or center)” in different ways, yet they all pointed out that “middle”was the highest state realized by harmony with universe and all lives.
With respect of the origin of the “middle”, this viewpoint pointed out that on the basis of archeological findings, the character (middle or center) and a complicated origin. According to “Analysis of Words” written by Xu Shen in the Han Dynasty , the character 中is made up of the two forms of 口and 1, indicating inside and passing from the upper to the lower . Inside means the opposite of outside. Another significant meaning of the character “middle” is center. Center has a higher dimension than inside. An interesting connection between the meaning of center and the meaning of yellow should be noted Yellow is the color of the surface of the land of the central plain , while astronomically the central pole star is thought to be the center of the universe . The yellow color is the basic skin color of the Chinese nation as well as the basic color of the surface of the land of the central plain. In olden times the yellow color had a mystic significance. Typically, in the yin yang theory and the five elements theory, yellow was considered the color of the center. Behind the conception of yellow were the conceptions of center and foundation.
The word “middle” can often be found in the Chinese philosophical classics. The core views contained in the “Book of Golden mean” are: golden mean, middle and peace, middle and constancy, and middle and adherence. These represented the cosmology, methodology, methodology and ethics of the Pre-Qin Confucianism. They formed also the basis of Confucian moral philosophy and aesthetics.
The term Golden Mean originated from “Confucian Analects: Yong”. Confucius said, “As a virtue, the golden mean is the highest, but it has not been practiced by the people for a long time.” The “Golden Mean” means not to be biased, to be constant and o be adhered to. Confucius realized his virtue by his own deeds and words. In dealing with people, “the Master was mild but strict, dignified but not severe.” (From “Confucian Analects: Narration”) In dealing with action, when he learned that Master Ji Wen thought thrice before he acted, he said, “Twice is enough”. (From “Confucian Analects: Xian Questions”) In dealing with state affairs, he said, “In practicing rites, peace is most valuable.” (From “Confucian Analects: Learning”) The basic principle of the Confucian golden mean is neither excessive nor insufficient. This basic principle is fundamental for inheriting and developing Confucianism.
