Who Is Yin and Yang

Has anyone ever asked you "who is yin and yang?"

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This question arises if the person is unfamiliar with the powerful symbol that embodies the essence of the ancient Chinese philosophy of the dual polarity of everything in the universe. That all opposite energies are connected to one another and neither can exist without the other. Although the two forces are opposing, they are complementary. Each depends on the other for its very existence and in one exists a small part of the other. The following are examples of the interdependency of energies:

• Life and death
• Heaven and earth
• Light and dark
• Day and night
• Good and evil
• South and north
• Cold and hot
• Love and hate
• Sickness and health

If the person is not familiar with those basic concepts of yin and yang, it is easy to understand how they may mistakenly think that yin and yang are actually human beings. This misconception may occur because the parts of the yin yang are often referred to as male and female. However, when used in reference to the yin yang those terms do not refer to the gender of humans, plants or animals. Instead the terms, male and female, refer to the masculine and feminine aspects, or attributes, that occur in everything in nature.

Rich with symbolism, yin and yang are deeply rooted in the Tao and Taoist thought. Together they form a fundamental aspect of the beliefs and principles of Taoism. This meaningful symbol is also known by the following names:

• Tai Chi
• Taiqi
• Taijitu

The symbol itself is often said to resemble two teardrops or the tails of two fish, one white and one black. Their curved backward "S" shape appears to be in constant motion as each half rises and ebbs and appears to meld seamlessly into the other. Each half holds a small circle, or seed, of the other.

In ancient China, the yin yang represents the cycles of nature including the aspects of the mountains. The yin representsthe dark shaded side of the mountain, the female. The bright sunny side of the mountain, the yang, represents the male.

To the ancient Chinese yin, with its feminine aspects also represents:

• Earth
• Valleys
• Darkness
• The moon
• Peace
• Honor

Yang, with its masculine aspects represents:

• Heaven
• Light
• The sun
• Activity
• Vigor

Throughout the following centuries, the female and male attributes of the yin yang symbol have grown to include additional concepts and qualities.

Yin represents the feminine energies of the yin yang symbol, which is the dark color. The female energies include:

• The physical body
• Passive
• Negative
• Receptive
• Unconscious
• Weak
• Cold
• Earth
• The moon
• Night
• Dark

The light color of the yin yang symbol represents the masculine energies. These male energies include:

• The soul
• Active
• Positive
• Outgoing
• Conscious
• Aggression
• Strength
• Heat
• Heaven
• The Sun
• Sky
• Light
• Day

In the practice of feng shui, the energy in the home must be in balance. The quiet passive energy of yin is slow, restful and relaxed. It is the darkness of night and the quiet of that time. It helps your body to rest and replenish its energy supply. The active energy of yang is the brightness of day with its bustling activity, vivid colors and intense sounds.

A great way to promote the balance of yin and yang in your home or workspace is to hang a yin yang picture. Doing this creates a positive flow of chi and attracts good luck, prosperity and good fortune into the space.

The next time someone asks you "who are yin and yang?" explain that although they are not people they represent the male and female energies that exist in everything in the universe.

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