THE
YIN-YANG
The Yin-Yang symbol is one of the most well-known
Chinese symbols. This symbol has a deep philosophical meaning and is a
way that the Chinese describe the universe. It is a way to describe how
the seemingly disjoint or opposing natural forces are interrelated and
give rise to each other in turn. For example, night and day, winter and
summer, or male and female, are all manifestations of yin and yang. The
Chinese have developed the yin and yang concept after careful
observation of the universe over hundreds of years.
The Concept of Yin and Yang
Yin transliterates as the “shady place” or “north
slope” in English, while Yang means “sunny place” or “south slope”. Yin
has the following characteristics: slow, soft, insubstantial, diffuse,
cold, wet and tranquil. Yang has the opposite characteristics: hard,
fast, aggressive, and hot. Yin is associated to feminineness while yang
corresponds to masculinity. The Chinese compare the concept of Yin and
Yang to the sun going over a mountain. There is initially a sunny side
and a shadowed side. As the day progresses, the shadow side is lit up
while the sunny side falls into darkness. Thus, yin ultimately converts
into yang and yang into yin.
The development of the Yin and Yang Symbol
The yin and yang symbol, consisting of two
curvilinear shapes adjoining each other with two fish eye like dots, is
not coincidental. Rather, it is the result of precise measurements of
the sun’s movements in the sky during a whole year.
The Chinese used an 8-foot pole. The longest shadow
of the pole corresponded to the North while the shortest shadow to the
south. They measured the length of the shadow every day of the year,
recording the length as points on a chart. After connecting all the
points, the sun chart looks like the yin and yang symbol. The light
color area indicates more sunlight (spring and summer) and is called
Yang. The dark color has less sunlight (autumn and winter) and is called
Yin. Yin begins at the summer solstice while yang begins at the Winter
solstice. Hence, a little yin circle is placed in the yang portion of
the symbol and a little yang circle occurs in the yin portion.
Thus, the yin and yang is representative of the
celestial dynamic changes that occur cyclically every year.
Symbolism
Yin and Yang pertain to the duality of the universe. Matter has two
interchangeable qualities which interact with each other and are in a
dynamic equilibrium. Yin always has a potential to be converted into
yang and vice versa. This duality is not always evident as yang is clear
and obvious while yin is hidden and subtle. However, it is nevertheless
present in everything around us. According to the Chinese, anything
composed of only yin or yang (not both) is sterile and fruitless. For
example, a species consisting of only males would die out within a
generation. However, when both males and females are present, they can
perpetuate themselves from generation to generation. |
