Foundation of Yin-yang and Its Application on Traditional Chinese Medicine
In Chinese philosophy, the symbol yin-yang represents the two complementary forces that make up all aspects and phenomena of life. It describes how opposite forces are actually interconnected and interdependent in the natural world. The origin of yin and yang came from the observation of nature and the environment. “Yin” referred to the shady side of a slope while “yang” referred to the sunny side. The concept of yin-yang lies at the origins of many branches of classical Chinese science and philosophy, as well as being a primary guideline of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and a central principle of different forms of Chinese martials arts and exercise, such as baguazhang, taijiquan (t’ai chi), and qigong (Chi Kung) and of I-Ching divination. The most common form of yin-yang symbol is ☯, i.e., in harmony, the two sides are depicted as the light and dark halves of a circle.
The earliest Chinese characters for yin and yang are found in inscriptions made on skeletal remains of various animals, commonly known as “oracle bones”, used in ancient Chinese divination practices at least as early as the 14th century B.C.E. In these inscriptions, yin and yang are descriptions of natural phenomena such as weather conditions, especially the movement of the sun. Yang is the sunlight during the day and lack of sunlight at night is yin. The concept of yin-yang came into the light around 770 B.C.E.,
Yin and Yang are fundamental to the understanding of the Chinese religion since they believe that everything goes hand in hand and is never fully one way or another. The symbol represents a sunny and shady side, yet they go hand in hand to complete the circle. This represents in every day both sides will be present to be completed. For example, losing a loved one can hurt however that person gets to move to the next journey. Or it raining on a day off. Even though one might not be able to go out and get some sun on there day off the environment gets rain and plants get nourished, good comes with bad. Even thought many don't like being sad, one must be sad to understand happiness, which is an essential
Yin and Yang is a Chinese philosophy. Yin and Yang connects to Taoism, because it symbolizes balance between opposing sides. It is made of two principles. Yin, the predominately black side,
In Chinese culture, health and illness concentrates on the balance between body, mind, and spirit, expressed as Yin Yang. It symbolizes the idea that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. There is a belief in part of the Chinese culture, that a physical illness is caused by an imbalance of Yin Yang.
Yin and yang are not opposing forces (dualities), but complementary forces, unseen (hidden, feminine) and seen (manifest, masculine), that interact to form a greater whole, as part of a dynamic system. Everything has both yin and yang aspects as light could not be understood if darkness didn't exist, and shadow cannot exist without light.
As stated by the Shen-nong website, “Ancient people were greatly interested in the relationships and patterns that occurred in nature. Instead of studying isolated things, the viewed the world as a harmonious and holistic entity” ("Yin yang," 2005, p. 1). Yin and yang
Yin and Yang is an ancient Chinese philosophy that shows the perfect balance between two things. The yin and yang sign is considered an energy which keeps the concept flowing. It is two
life sciences and medicine drawn from the Taoist traditions of the Yin-Yang and Five Elements
Yin-Yang is introduced by the character Jack Silva, who is a former Navy SEAL and learns about the Chinese concept while training to be a Navy SEAL. “By the time he finished SEAL training, Jack came to appreciate the yin and yang of what he’d experienced the previous two years” (Zuckoff 15). Consequently, Jack decides to become a GRS agent because he loves what he does in the military and he feels that he needs to keep serving his country and the counterbalance comes in to play. “If challenge and money were the yin, danger was the yang” (Zuckoff 17). The previous quote can also be interpreted as high risk for a high reward.
Yin yang theory is a kind of logic, which views things in relation to its whole. The theory is based on two basic components: yin and yang, which are neither materials nor energy. They combine in a complementary manner and form a method for
As explained in World Religions Today, in contemporary culture, the discoveries made through science are usually articulated in the structure of mathematical equations. These mathematical equations serve as proofs of the fundamental truths that the particular science reveals. Analogous to this idea is the symbolism in the Yi-Jing system of East Asian Religions. The symbolization of the Yi-Jing system enriches the conceptualization of the universe as incessantly changing. Within the Yi-Jing system, the yin-yang symbol exemplifies the most familiar representation of these uncovered fundamental truths (Esposito 502-3). In this essay, I intend to explain the meaning of the terms yin and yang and discuss the role they play in Chinese religions generally. Further, I will explain the way in which the symbolism of yin and yang contribute to the Chinese conception of the universe and the way that role is played out in religious practices.
The Yin Yang is one of the primary principles of Taoist teachings. The concept of two forces present everywhere, completely opposite to each other yet balancing and enhancing each other. They cannot be separated because they exist together in comparison, and splitting one apart will only create the other anew. Although one force can take prevalence over the other for a short time, anything that is in a state of imbalance for long will cease to exist. The universe is composed of and held together by the tension of these two forces, and this concept is in Taoist writings on Abstraction. (A2)
According to information gathered from the online source, Taoism or the Tao Religion (Our Ultimate Reality), the Yin and Yang represents two breaths or the chi life force. This Yin life force is the feminine principle of darkness, coolness, and dampness, while the white, the Yang, is the masculine principle of brightness, warmth, and dryness. They are not opposites, not all good, or bad, but both needed to maintain universe stability. Defined through opposition, Taoists believe in the virtues of balance and understanding.
Yin – yang is a Chinese philosophical way of embracing human thought which considers two dimensions including humanity, character, and situations in life. This philosophy emphasizes that two complementary forces exists in the universe that are mutually opposed to one another but still remain in unity. According to “Hegelian, Yi-Jing, and Buddhist Transformational Models for Comparative Philosophy”, it is believed that the two forces are dependent on another and are well balanced (Robert 6). This paper intends to explore the major aspects of yin-yang way of thinking, how it affects the Confucius and Lao Zi ways of viewing happenings in the universe and the application of this kind of thought to the contemporary society
Yin and Yang is the most universally recognizable symbol for Taoism. The symbol is a circle with one half black and the other half white. Both halves have a spot with the opposite color which represents being part of the other. Yin and Yang are two complementary, interdependent principles or phases alternating in space and time; they are emblems envoking the harmonious interplay of all pairs of opposites in the universe. (Taoism, 2007) Taoist believe yin and yang exist in all aspects of life. Some believe the white represents good and the black represents evil. If there is good there is bad, if there is wealth there is poverty and if there is woman there is man. In other words there is an opposite to everything. The universe flows in harmony without ever stopping. In chapter 42 of the Tao-Te-Ching there is a reference about yin and yang. The Tao is one, from the one come yin and yang, from these two creative energy (chi), from energy, ten thousand things, the forms of all creations, all life embodies yin and embraces yang, through their union achieving harmony. (Tao-Te-Ching, Ch. 51)
Mai Mai Sze presents a logical methodology breaking down the often-misunderstood complexity of Daoism. Sze describes tao “in the simplest sense…path” (The Way of Chinese Painting, 17). Continued, “Step-by-step progress requires care and deliberation and, by extension, careful and deliberate conduct or behavior from an inner motivation.” This journey was not something one could accomplish overnight; instead it is understood as a way of living out ones life to the fullest. This journey was not only into one’s own mind, but also into what surrounds them. Including tools, control of the medium was a necessity, just as restrain over the sensitivity of the brush was needed when writing Chinese characters. A minor error in a character could change the entire meaning of the symbol. Symbols are often associated with Chinese culture. From the calendar year to writing, Chinese symbolism is utilized significantly. One symbol often recognized by the Western world is the Yin Yang; however the meaning is often misunderstood. The theory of the Yin Yang is presented as a balance between Male Principle (sun, right) and Female Principle (moon, left). As the two converge inward, they also radiate outward reflecting the ideology of Tao itself. This development of proportion and attention to fine detail required