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The concepts
of Yin and Yang date back to
the early 4th
century bc
Chinese philosophy and metaphysics. It describes two primal opposing but
complementary forces found in all things in the universe.
Together they are
symbolized by a circle divided into black and white sections, with a dot of
white in the black portion and a dot of black in the white portion. This
interaction indicates that the characteristics of yin cannot exist
without those of yang, nor the characteristics of yang without yin.
Yin
is the darker element; it is passive, dark, moist, receptive, earthy, feminine,
downward-seeking, and corresponds to the night (Chinese:
陰/阴;
pinyin: yīn;
literally "shady place, north slope (hill), south bank (river); cloudy,
overcast").
Yang
is the brighter element; it is active, light, dry, masculine, heavenly,
upward-seeking and corresponds to the day (陽/阳;
yáng; "sunny place, south slope
(hill), north bank (river); sunshine").
Yin is often
symbolized by water or earth, while Yang is symbolized by fire, or wind.
There is always
an element of yang within yin and an element of yin within yang.
Most forces
in nature can be seen as having Yin and Yang states, and the two are usually in
movement rather than held in absolute stasis.
Chinese philosophers stressed the importance of
balance between the two to ensure social and political harmony. Rebellion,
floods, and disease were said to be caused by an imbalance of yin and yang.
One of the best known
presentations and applications of the concepts of
yin and yang is found in the
I Ching, the Chinese "Book of
Changes;" the oldest Chinese classic text. The I Ching, which has long been used
as an oracle, is a set of predictions represented by a set of 64 abstract line
arrangements called hexagrams
(卦 guà).
Each line is either Yang (an unbroken,
or solid line), or Yin (broken,
an open line with a gap in the center). The
I Ching was at the heart of Chinese
thought, serving as a common ground for the Confucian and Taoist schools. In
modern western society, the I Ching has become a popular source of profound
wisdom and inspiration. |
