Yin and Yang

The ancient meanings of the actual words "yin" and "yang" are "shade" and "sunshine." Traditional usage, however, allows that all objects and phenomenon can be classified as yin or yang. Most significantly, every thing, idea, or event is seen as both yin and yang at the same time. This apparent paradox is symbolized the "Taiji" or "Grand Ultimate" symbol commonly known as the Yin/Yang symbol. Within the dark, or yin, side of the yin/yang is a dot of light or yang. Balancing this, and symbolizing the nature of all things, the light, yang side of the yin/yang grand ultimate symbol contains a dot of the dark, the yin.


This can be understood from at least two perspectives: First, while the Sun classically expresses yang to the moon's yin, the moon is definitely yang relative to the night stars. Still, and expressive of the constantly moving relativity of everything, as the lunar cycle progresses and the moon wanes to dark, the stars of the night sky are clearly yang relative to the invisible moon. Coming full circle, the moon will ultimately be yang relative to the moon upon the infrequent but dependably regular occurrence of a solar eclipse.


Secondly we have the "negative" and "positive" electrical charges. More clearly expressive of the interdependent nature of yin and yang, we understand that no electrical circuit is complete or effective without the ability to carry a balance of both "separate" types of charges. (Predictably, modern Chinese express the polarity of electrical current with the terms "yin" and "yang".) This is an extremely valuable illustration for communicating a non-judgmental valuation yin and yang. Indeed, it is just this sort of reservation of judgment that is required for any process of movement and change - be it feng shui, shiatsu, or chi kung - to get effectively underway.


To be scientific in a more modern sense, the yin/yang forces are the "glue" of all matter: the "negative" and "positive" forces being what draw matter together and maintain its integrity at the atomic and molecular level. Tellingly, when and excess of yang is added to the atomic structure of elements like plutonium, matter momentarily comes unglued and we have the atomic explosion. This extreme yang/summer moment, of course, is balanced out by the resulting catastrophe and the yin/winter state of destruction and death.