Yin and Yang
The literal, ancient meanings of the actual words "yin" and "yang" are "shade" and "sunshine." Nowadays, most people recognize Yin and Yang as the essential qualities in female and male, as the essence of weak and strong, as a description of dark and light. Helpful though this is for understanding the words Yin and Yang, it is important to remember that Yin and yang are not simply polar opposites.
Yin and Yang describe the expressed Chi quality of objects, beings, and environments – and this description is always in relation to context. For example, the famous big fish in a small pond expresses Yang effect and Yang potential only in relation to its current environment. In the same way, a small volcano in a field of giant volcanoes defines Yin Chi in that environment. This same small volcano in a cornfield would be defined as very Yang.
Ultimately, every thing, idea, or event is both yin and yang at the same time – which name applies will depend on the context in which it is expressed. This apparent paradox is embodied in the "Taiji" or "Grand Ultimate" symbol, also known as the Yin/Yang symbol. In this symbol we see that within the dark, or yin, side there is a counterpoint of light or yang. In the same way, the light, yang side of the symbol contains a counterpoint of dark, the yin.
These dots or counterpoints also indicate a very important quality of Chi: a predominance of Yang Chi will attract Yin Chi, lots of Yin Chi will attract Yang. In other words, yin-yang theory assumes that everything will transform and that every assigned or assumed "identity" is provisional and entirely dependent upon context. Like the classic children's theeter-totter or balance-board, in any dynamic system, what goes up will ultimately come down. Not only does this express the philosophy of impermanence or constant movement and change, it helps us to look out for and recognize when change is possible or imminent as we observe a growing predominance of Yin or Yang Chi.
Although we understand that Yin and Yang are provisional terms which we can only apply in relative way, I have provided a list of polarized terms to help clarify the qualities that are behind the definitions of Yin and Yang.
The literal, ancient meanings of the actual words "yin" and "yang" are "shade" and "sunshine." Nowadays, most people recognize Yin and Yang as the essential qualities in female and male, as the essence of weak and strong, as a description of dark and light. Helpful though this is for understanding the words Yin and Yang, it is important to remember that Yin and yang are not simply polar opposites.
Yin and Yang describe the expressed Chi quality of objects, beings, and environments – and this description is always in relation to context. For example, the famous big fish in a small pond expresses Yang effect and Yang potential only in relation to its current environment. In the same way, a small volcano in a field of giant volcanoes defines Yin Chi in that environment. This same small volcano in a cornfield would be defined as very Yang.
Ultimately, every thing, idea, or event is both yin and yang at the same time – which name applies will depend on the context in which it is expressed. This apparent paradox is embodied in the "Taiji" or "Grand Ultimate" symbol, also known as the Yin/Yang symbol. In this symbol we see that within the dark, or yin, side there is a counterpoint of light or yang. In the same way, the light, yang side of the symbol contains a counterpoint of dark, the yin.
These dots or counterpoints also indicate a very important quality of Chi: a predominance of Yang Chi will attract Yin Chi, lots of Yin Chi will attract Yang. In other words, yin-yang theory assumes that everything will transform and that every assigned or assumed "identity" is provisional and entirely dependent upon context. Like the classic children's theeter-totter or balance-board, in any dynamic system, what goes up will ultimately come down. Not only does this express the philosophy of impermanence or constant movement and change, it helps us to look out for and recognize when change is possible or imminent as we observe a growing predominance of Yin or Yang Chi.
Although we understand that Yin and Yang are provisional terms which we can only apply in relative way, I have provided a list of polarized terms to help clarify the qualities that are behind the definitions of Yin and Yang.
| Yin | Yang |
| Shade | Sunshine |
| Far | Near |
| Light | Heavy |
| Turbid | Clear |
| Water | Fire |
| The Moon | The Sun |
| Quiet | Noise |
| Cold | Warmth |
| Expansive | Contractive |
| Empty | Full |
| Inhale | Exhale |
| Winter | Summer |
Yin and Yang:
The Grand Ultimate Harmony
The Grand Ultimate Harmony
Yin and yang are not truly polar opposites. Yin and yang are expressed along a continuum whereby yin can and will develop into yang and vice versa.
Yang contains yin and yin contains yang. This is shown in the Taiji "Grand Ultimate" symbol with the spot of white included in the black field, and the spot of black included within the white.
