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Within are two halves shaped like tadpoles or teardrops. The outline of the symbol is a circle, representing eternity and the continuous cycle of life in Chinese tradition. Yin-yang also exists within our interactions with each other such as giving and receiving or talking and listening. The same can be observed in the change of seasons as well as high and low tides. For example, when the sun rises the moon fades, but just as the sun reaches its height, it begins to descend again and the moon rises. Too much of either one can be destructive, and finding their balance is essential for happiness and health.Īccording to Chinese cosmology, the constant alternation between darkness and light equates to the cycle of life. These opposing forces interconnect to create chi or the binding energy force in the cosmos. The yin-yang concept represents balance and harmony and suggests that everything in nature is composed of opposite but complementary elements. The earliest reference to yin-yang, which translates to dark-bright in both the Cantonese and Mandarin Chinese languages, was written in 700 BCE is found in the I Ching, or Book of Changes. Many versions use opposite colors on the spectrum to demonstrate contrast.Īlthough today the yin-yang sign is found everywhere from jewelry to tattoos, the ubiquitous symbol has its origins in ancient Taoism, a Chinese philosophy.

The Chinese philosophy of Taoism, sometimes called Daoism, began over 2000 years ago.So just like the Taoist concept of Wu Wei, Yin and Yang is about not pushing back but accepting life’s contrasts and learning to see the good, and the bad, in everything. And Yin takes over at night, when its representative, the moon, comes out to play.Īnd though Taoism is more a philosophy than a religion, it teaches that there is a higher power in the universe, ‘the Way.’ Yet instead of being all good or all bad, it’s a little of both, just like Yin and Yang. Naturally, Yang is stronger during the day when the sun is out and it is warm. Regardless of gender, Yin and Yang are both present in the human body as well, and their strength waxes and wanes with the time of the day. Though on the whole, some dishes are more one than the other, elements of both Yin and Yang should be present within. But pair it with some chili peppers, a la the Mapo style, and it’s a favorite in Chinese restaurants worldwide. Examples include tofu and soy sauce.Įveryone knows plain tofu is not the most appetizing dish. They are cool in color, and are typically grown in water. Yin foods are those which are salty or bitter. Like the warmth that Yang imbues, Yang foods are often those in warm colors like red and orange. Yang foods are those which are spicy or sweet. The two forces are opposing but complementary.Ĭhinese food, also, is incomplete without an understanding of Yin and Yang. See, the balance of the two is the most important aspect. Have you ever wondered, for example, why Chinese people drink so much hot water? It is about balancing out the body’s Yin and Yang. The concept of Yin and Yang is at the heart of Chinese medicine. One can turn into the other, and the best things in life lie at the confluence of the two. Wheat in the field is Yang, but once it is harvested, it becomes Yin. An eggshell is Yang, but the egg inside is Yin. In fact, Yin and Yang are in everything, and most things are a little bit of both. That’s how you end up with a wave’s crest being Yang and its trough being Yin. In fact, it is important that each side has a little bit of the other in it. The Yang, or the light side, is associated with things soft, positive, warm, dry, and masculine.īut contrary to the harsh juxtaposition of their appearances, Yin and Yang are not complete opposites.

The Yin, or the dark side, is associated with everything hard, negative, cold, wet, and feminine. To understand it, let’s break down the symbol into its two constituent parts. Much more than just the tattoo on the guy from your martial arts class, the Yin Yang carries with it a deep meaning that is as simple as it is profound. At the heart of this philosophy is the symbol that has come to represent it as its most identifiable aspect: the Yin and Yang. Developed in the 4th century B.C., the philosophy is centered around the achievement of ‘the Way’ and finding harmony and balance within. Backgroundįew ancient philosophies have been as influential as Taoism. But the meaning of Yin and Yang goes much deeper than that. Just by looking at it, its most basic meaning is clear: maintain balance. Everyone recognizes the symbol: the little black and white half circles that swirl into each other, with a dot of the opposite color on either side.