The Philological Origins of the Concepts of "Zhong" and "He"

From the perspectives of philology and intellectual history, this paper explores the evolution of the concepts of "Zhong" (中) and "He" (和) and their roles in shaping the philosophy of "Zhong-He" (Harmony and Moderation). By analyzing the development of glyphs and semantic meanings in oracle bone script and bronze inscriptions, it reveals how "Zhong" symbolizes spatial centrality and the principle of moderation, while "He" extends its significance to harmony in sound and social relationships. The article further elaborates on the complementary nature of the early semantics of "Zhong" and "He" and the process of their conceptual integration, especially as manifested in Confucian classics. By tracing the transformation of "Zhong" and "He" from independent concepts to a systematic philosophical doctrine, the study argues that the philosophy of "Zhong-He" represents a synthesis of static order and dynamic coordination, serving as a fundamental theoretical pillar in Chinese civilization across social, philosophical, and ethical dimensions.