Yin-Yang
Yin-Yang (or Yin and Yang) is a Chinese concept that explains the physical world as one of two equal and opposite forces.
A short definition:
Yin and yang (English: / jɪn /, / jæŋ /), also yin yang, ying-yang, or yin-yang, is a concept that originated in Chinese philosophy and Chinese culture, describing opposite but interconnected, mutually perpetuating forces. These two complementary forces which are believed to be fundamental to the universe in ancient Chinese philosophy, are often represented by the symbol of a circle divided into two halves, one light and one dark. Yin is associated with darkness, femininity, passivity, and the earth, while yang represents light, masculinity, activity, and the heavens.
Zou Yan was the Chinese philosopher to first promote the yin-yang concept. The great philosopher Lao Tzu only wrote one sentence about yin and yang, but it is said to have changed philosophy forever.
It is the foundation of traditional chinese medicine. Five elements are part of the Eastern Philosophy of yin and yang: earth, water, fire, wood, and metal. These five elements form the foundation of the ancient medicinal practices that push for balance and optimum health. They are all a part of Qi, which reaches far beyond simple malfunction of body systems and focuses on a grander Yin and Yang equilibrium to produce well-being. The concept of yin and yang is used to explain a wide variety of phenomena, from the changing of the seasons to the human body, even in modern China. The Taoist religion emphasizes the need to balance yin and yang.
Here is a table of some of the key characteristics of yin and yang:
|
Characteristic |
PRINCIPLE OF YIN |
PRINCIPLE OF YANG |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | Dark, feminine, passive, receptive | Light, masculine, active, penetrative |
| Movement | Downward, inward, contracting | Upward, outward, expanding |
| Time | Night, winter | Day, summer |
| Examples | Earth, moon, water, valleys, cold | Sun, sky, fire, mountains, heat |
I Ching
In the I Ching, originally a divination manual of the Western Zhou period (c. 1000–750 BC) based on Chinese Astronomy, yin and yang are represented by broken and solid lines: yin is broken (⚋) and yang is solid (⚊). These are then combined into trigrams, which are more yang (e.g. ☱) or more yin (e.g. ☵) depending on the number of broken and solid lines (e.g., ☰ is fully yang, while ☷ is fully yin), and trigrams are combined into hexagrams (e.g. ䷕ and ䷟). The relative positions and numbers of yin and yang lines within the trigrams determines the meaning of a trigram, and in hexagrams the upper trigram is considered yang with respect to the lower trigram, yin, which allows for complex depictions of interrelations.
World of Duality
Yin Yang can be considered the Chinese or Eastern way to describe a world of duality.
The world of duality is a concept in philosophy and spirituality that refers to the idea that all of existence is divided into two opposing forces or principles. These forces can be seen as complementary or antagonistic, but they are always interdependent.
Some common examples of dualities include:
- Good and evil
- Light and dark
- Hot and cold
- Male and female
- Mind and body
- Subject and object
Duality is often seen as a fundamental aspect of the universe. It is believed to be the source of all creation, as well as the cause of all conflict and suffering. However, it is also seen as the key to liberation and enlightenment.
In many spiritual traditions, the goal is to transcend duality and achieve a state of non-duality. This is often seen as a state of pure consciousness, where there is no separation between the individual and the universe.
The concept of duality is a complex and nuanced one, and there is no single definition that is universally accepted. However, it is a concept that has been explored by philosophers and spiritual thinkers for centuries, and it continues to be a source of fascination and debate today.
The world of duality can be seen as a metaphor for the human experience. We are all constantly caught between two opposing forces, such as our desires and our responsibilities, our fears and our hopes. It is up to us to find a way to balance these forces and live a harmonious life.
Myths and Legends on Yin Yang
There are various myths, legends, and beliefs about how and why the world of Yin Yang exists. Some simply deny that such a world exists, and it is all in our imagination. In my opinion, these are the “flat earth” people of duality. It is clear that it does exist, so the question is “Why?” or “How did it come about?” Most agree that duality doesn’t exist in Heaven among the angels of God, though it can also be said that God actually has a dual nature, both Male and Female. But one thing is certain: God does not have an evil side. God is only good, only Light.
Another common myth about Yin Yang says that when God created Eve by taking part of Adam and making a woman from it, God started duality. But if they ate from the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil (Not an apple tree!) then both good and evil already existed, so Yin Yang already existed.
Another, more plausible answer, at least for those of us who believe in the Demiurge, it was when the Demiurge created the Realm of Matter by altering part of the Realm of Spirit created by God. In order to lower the vibrations of everything spiritual, they had to be split in two, so in the material world, we get male and female, hot and cold, light and dark, peace and war, etc.
So while I find the story of the Demiurge to be the most likely start of Yin Yang, I don’t really know when it started. It may have always existed.
Summary
So while philosophizing about Yin and Yang is an interesting thing to do, we may never truly understand why it exists. There is no doubt, however, that the world of duality does exist, and the Chinese concept of Yin and Yang is their way of describing a world of duality. One final note about Yin and Yang. In the drawings of the Yin-Yang symbol (taijitu), the white, or light-colored side always contains a dot of dark color, and the dark-colored side always contains a dot of white, or light color. This is to point out that nothing, or no person is ever totally good or evil, male or female, Light or Dark. Each individual thing or being has some of the other side in it, at least in the physical world of matter. So while individual things or beings may be labeled yin or yang, none is purely one or the other. Those who practice Taoism ( also called Daoism) aim to keep their yin and yang in balance, but in Cosolargy, we emphasize the Light, the good, and the loving. The philosophy of yin and yang is ingrained in Chinese thought and Chinese culture. Yin and Yang are fundamental to the art of feng shui, which is bringing spaces, at work or at home, into harmony and balance. Chinese mental health practices are also based on balancing yin and yang. Confucianism is another school of Chinese philosophy that is based on balancing yin and yang.
It is also a part of Chinese martial arts. Tai chi is one martial art where the principles of yin and yang are used in both attacks and defensive moves.
In Chinese cosmology, the universe creates itself out of a primary chaos of material energy, organized into the cycles of yin and yang and formed into objects and lives.