在西方文化中，现象是由物质实体或空间结构决定的特定时空条件下的表现，强调不以人的意志为转移的客观性或观察的可重复性。中国文化中的“象”具有物我合一、现象与本质相融、自然、整体、动态时序的特点。直觉体悟和比类取象分别是中国人认识和表达“象”的常用方法。象思维过程可分为物象、具象、意象3个不同阶段。中医辨证乃至中医理论的形成集中体现了象思维的特点。

In western culture, phenomena decided by substance and its structure are the manifestations showing in a special time-space. The objectivity and repeatable observation of the phenomena are paid more attention. “Xiang” in Chinese culture, with similar meaning as phenomena, has many differences, such as naturality, entirety, time series, the harmony of nature and human beings, and the union of phenomena and their essences. Intuitive comprehension is the main method of detecting “Xiang”. Analogy is a way to express “Xiang”. “Xiang” thinking has three levels. They are concreted “Xiang”, abstracted “Xiang” and conceptualized “Xiang”. The “Zheng” distinguishing and the basic theory of Chinese medicine show the features of “Xiang” thinking thoroughly.