An Onmyoji refers to a person who knows how to observe the stars, read people's faces, measure directions, recognize disasters, draw talismans, recite incantations, and perform illusions.
The organization formed by the gathering of Onmyoji is called "Onmyodo". Japan’s “Onmyodo” originated from the Yin-Yang and Five-Elements theories of China’s Contending Period. In the primitive scientific era, in order to avoid disasters, people always hoped to know the changes in the world in advance. The emergence of the "Yin Yang and Five Elements Theory" turned this wish into a reality. Its representative classic is the "Book of Changes" that has been handed down since the Zhou Dynasty. ?
The "Five Elements Theory" is based on the theory that the five basic substances of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth "continuously cycle and thus change" to develop the concept of the five elements' mutual development and mutual restraint. By studying the theory of yin and yang and the five elements, one can formulate a calendar based on calculations of the movements of celestial bodies and grasp all phenomena in the world. Developed "astronomers" who specialized in studying celestial bodies, "calculators" who studied calendars, and "five elements experts".
The origin of Onmyoji
Although Japan is the representative of Onmyoji's prosperity and gradually declined in China, the real origin of Japan's Onmyoji comes from the Chinese theory of Yin and Yang and the Five Elements. Yin-Yang theory is a branch of ancient Chinese philosophy. It represents a concept of being divided into two, everything has two sides, one ebbs and flows, and the other restrains each other. It is also a recognized law for the generation of all things in the world.
During the Warring States Period in China, there was a school of thought that advocated the Yin-Yang and Five Elements theories, called the "Yin-Yang School". At that time, Zou Yan and Zou Shi from Qi State were the main representatives. The "Yin-Yang theory" regards "Yin" and "Yang" as two coordinating forces of mutual growth and decline within things, and believes that they are the laws of generation that give birth to all things in the world.