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Everything is both cyclical and constant, revolving in an infinite cycle of energy, or Chi (Qi). The basic philosophy of Yin and Yang is that everything in the universe exists in opposition. Let’s take a closer look at the Yin Yang symbol, its meaning, the philosophy behind it, and how we can apply its lessons to our yoga practice.

Attributed to Taoism, the Yin Yang symbol and its meaning dates back to ancient China. These opposites form the foundation of yoga, and are most often referred to as Yin and Yang. “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.Darkness and light, inhales and exhales, expansion and contraction – these are all vital components of life.

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.