The way they are wrapped around each other suggests a fluid continuous movement or constant interplay which gives birth to everything in the world as we know it. The white half is the Yan-qi or the fundamental masculine energy. The black half is the Yin-qi or the fundamental feminine energy. The outer circle represents Tao, the source of all existence and that which unifies all. One half is black with a small white dot at its center, and the other half is white with a small black dot at its center. The symbol is composed of an outer circle enclosing 2 teardrop-shaped halves wrapped around each other. The Yin-Yang is the most prominent Taoist symbol, also often called the Taiji. “Yin and yang, male and female, strong and weak, rigid and tender, heaven and earth, light and darkness, thunder and lightning, cold and warmth, good and evil…the interplay of opposite principles constitutes the universe.The concept of Yin and Yang has its roots in ancient Chinese philosophy. Yin and yang are present in all things – Be it in terms of love, career, or life in general, opposing forces must be balanced the right way in order to achieve harmony.Yin and yang cannot exist without the other – Two halves make a whole and duality is crucial to achieving equilibrium.The cyclical nature represents the never-ending, continuous motion of life as it eternally moves forward. The curved spiral divide shows movement and a dynamic flow of energies, much like the way day doesn’t turn into night but gradually flows into it. It’s not static – There’s a reason the yin-yang circle is not divided by a straight line.For instance, the symbol tells us to always expect some warmth in the cold, some light in the dark, and some right in every wrong. Neither one is absolute – As illustrated by the single black dot on the yang side and the single white dot on the yin side, nothing is ever completely yin or completely yang.Here are some characteristics of yin-yang. Yang (the white side) is related to the following:Īncient Taoist philosophy believes peace and abundance can only take place when there is balance and harmony between yin and yang. Yin (the black side) is usually associated with the following: Elements of yin and yang come in opposing pairs that complement each other, and the nature of yin-yang lies with the interplay of these polar opposites. So, what does yin and yang represent? Yin Yang Meaning and SymbolismĪs you may notice, yin and yang represent opposing ideas and forces. This is to illustrate that there’s always a little bit of yin in every yang, and vice versa. Notably, there is always a white dot on the black side, and a black dot on the white side of this diagram. Both halves are intertwined in an endless spiral, as if either side is always chasing the other. Half of the circle is black, representing the yin side, and the other is white, symbolizing the yang side. ’ The striking imagery of a perfect circle divided into two halves by a curved line was first introduced by a philosopher named Zhou Dunyi, and has evolved into what is now commonly referred to as the yin-yang symbol. However, it wasn’t until the Song Dynasty era when the concept of yin and yang was illustrated and symbolized using a diagram called taijitu or ‘the taichi symbol. The philosophy behind the yin-yang symbol is no less than 3,500 years old, and was first introduced during the ninth century, in a text entitled ‘I Ching’ or ‘Book of Changes.’ The text talks about cosmic duality and the importance of achieving balance between two halves in order to create a perfect whole. In this article, we will revisit what ancient Chinese philosophy really teaches about yin and yang. Still, as is true with many ancient symbols, its integration with popular culture has caused confusion over the real meaning behind the concept of yin and yang. Modern-Day Use of Yin-Yang in Art and JewelryĪs the most enduring and influential Taoist symbol, the yin and yang (or simply yin-yang) is recognized almost anywhere in the world.

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