The universe had its order of yang and yin ; all creation are continuously generated, grow and die, which is the results of the harmonious operation by yang and yin. Among all creation, the human is one of the samjae(three bases of the world, which are heaven, earth, and man) and he is from the combined sukhi(a superior khi) of yang and yin. And human life itself is basically a condensed jonghyul(life blood) and at the same time it is only a transient joining of sadae(the four elements of earth, air, fire and water). Yang and yin, the two axes of the world, therefore, are the most crucial and fundamental concept to explain the generation and extinction of all creation, to understand people in time and space, to find out the reality of human life as an organism, and at last, to observe the state of human health. If so, what is the most essential idea in yang and yin? It is taegeuk(chungkhi) or tao(of one yang and one yin). If the property of heaven and earth is kongon, taegeuk is a khi and tao a principle. And it can be sid that a human body is merely a union of hyung and khi, that human life is an essence of sambo, jeongkhishin, that human health is a harmonized coordination of yang and yin because it is from the combined sukhi of yang and yin because it is from the combined sukhi of yang and yin. Hyung, a vessel for smbo, jeongkhishin, is at the bottom and shin is on the top ; the personality and the disposition of individuals differ according to their working. Thus, on the basis of the above discussion, the following can be offered as some suggestions for Korean Nursing Theory. Though human beings are part of Nature, they are the most eminent microcosm among all creation. So, as a subject for nursing, a person should be understood with khijok kyoryu rather than with logical thinking, then mutual trust between the patient and the nurse can be established. The health of a person on the harmony of yang and yin. To be healthy, a person should consider harmonization with Nature(including his surroundings) as well as a balanced human relationships in society. Moreover, it is crucial for each person to obtain hoshim as a method of mind control rather than to only treat the symptoms of disease.

This study purports to review traditional health concepts of Korea by age, and to compare them to health concepts defined in western societies. Furthermore the study offers these results as the basis of construction for Korean nursing theory. Literature for the review were traditional health books published in Korea. These books are Euibangyoochui, Hyangyakjibsungbang, Dongeuibogam, Eiyangpyun, Dongeuisoosebowon, & Hwangjaenaekyung. In addition, articles that studied traditional literature or Korean medical history were reviewed when no publication of a primary source was available. In ancient Korean society, health was viewed as a 'good relationship or harmony with a supernatural subject', 'harmony of earth, water, fire, and air', and a 'long life with no illness'. The treatment aspect of medicine was emphasized in the middle-aged society. The health concepts in the pre-modern society included such concepts as 'jeongkhibojeon', 'adjustment to the nature', 'harmony between yang and yin', 'strengthening of jeongkhishin', 'circulation of owoonyookchi', 'kyungjok mind-body state' and 'jeongshimjeonghang'. Major health concepts in western literature were 'adaptation', 'role performance', 'actualization of human potential', 'adaptation and actualization of potential', and 'comfort'. Traditional health concepts of Korea focus on principles. They deliver abstract meanings, which make their measures uneasy. They believe in holism and unity with nature and especially emphasize the mental aspect. On the other hand, health concepts of western societies focus on phenomena. Their meanings are somewhat concrete, which make their measurements relatively easy. They see a person adapts positively to the environment as an independent being from the environment. These concepts have biopsychosocial aspects with no partial emphasis in the mental aspects. These traditional concepts of health were classified into two main perspectives. One is the unity of heaven & man, and the other is the unity of mind and body. The former perspective is based on the main concept of Chi. The latter has the main concept of ruling of the mind. The two main concepts discussed above need further examination for development of a nursing theory for Korean society. The application of circulation of Chi needs balance and harmony, and the application of ruling of mind needs temperance.