Yin yang: what it is, spiritual meaning, the symbol and more!

Forces act in constant search of balance: this is one of the ways to explain yin and yang. They are also the complementary elements that form Qi, the vital energy existing in all things. These two forces are represented as a circle where yin is the dense and dark half, while yang, which occupies the opposite space, represents lightness and enlightenment.

These two elements, despite being contrary, do not compete with each other, because according to Taoist principles, the balance between these two forces is fundamental to reach the path of fulfillment. Understand in this article the origin of yin yang, the symbol and its applications. Follow!

At the beginning of everything was nothingness, known as Primal Chaos. It was oval in shape and inside it formed Pan Ku, responsible for breaking the egg and generating heaven and earth, or Yang and Yin, respectively. To prevent the world from returning to Chaos, Pan Ku pushed heaven away from earth for 18,000 years until he perished and shaped the world as we know it.

This is the origin of yin yang and is believed to have its origins in the early Taoist monks, disciples of Laozi, or Lao-Tzu. He is the founder of philosophical Taoism, dating back to approximately the 6th century BC Read on if you want to understand about Yin-yang and its influence on our culture even today.

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The yin yang consists of a well-known symbol, circular and divided into black and white. Each of these parts symbolizes the vital principles known as “yin”, the feminine, and “yang”, the masculine. In the definition of yin yang, one does not exist without the other and nothing is neutral, every force has its opposite.

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The balance between all things. The spiritual meaning of yin yang is reflected in the shape of the circle, where a force only exists in the presence of an opposing force, that is, one does not exist without the other. And, despite the energies, vibrations and intentions of the spirit, its opposite will always be present in it.

The opposite is directly related to these moods and understanding these forces will allow you to achieve greater balance between body and soul.

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In Taoist philosophy, yin yang is determined by principles that relate to its nature and the universal principles that explain the origin of all things. Therefore, it is important to understand these principles to have a better understanding of these relationships.

The principles of Yin and Yang are defined as follows:

Yin and Yang are opposing forces: but it is important to stress the relative nature of these forces. In Taoist philosophy nothing is absolute, everything is relative.

Inside the Yin there is a Yang, inside the Yang there is a Yin: their nature is complementary, that is why, when observing the traditional sign of the yin yang, we realize that inside each force, there is an opposing force. Without the presence of one of them, no force exists.

The forces seek mutual balance: if there is an increase in the yin force, there will be a decrease in the yang force. The reverse movement may also occur.

Yin and yang are mutable: that is, yin can change into yang and vice versa. Everything will depend on which force you are focusing more energy on.

Yin and yang are complementary: one cannot exist without the other.

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There are 7 laws described in the I Ching, one of the most important and ancient writings of Chinese philosophy. Through these writings, which is also known as the book of mutations, it is possible to identify the yin yang energies that reveal the need for balance to obtain a healthy life. Learn about these laws below:

The universe is infinite, so it is made up of infinite manifestations of infinite units.

Everything is in perpetual transformation.

Every opposing force is complementary.

No two things are alike.

Everything has two sides, the front and the back.

And they are proportional to each other.

Everything has a beginning and an end.

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In the same book, I Ching, 12 theorems are expressed that explain the generation of yin yang and the principle of duality, follow:

The yin yang are two forces of opposite poles and with infinite extension.

These forces originate continuously to infinity.

Yin is an attractive force, while Yang is a repulsive force. And both produce energy.

Opposite forces attract, yin attracts yang. Already forces of the same pole repel each other, yin repels yin and the same happens with yang.

Yin is capable of generating Yang, and Yang is capable of generating Yin.

The force that yin and yang generate between themselves is proportional to the difference between their components.

All manifestations originate from the combination of yin and yang.

These manifestations are mutable because of the perpetual oscillation between these energies.

Every unit in the universe has its polarity.

There is nothing that is neutral in the universe.

Great Yin strength attracts small Yin strength, while great Yang strength attracts small Yang strength.

Yin is at the center of all things, while Yang is at the periphery of all things.

This symbol is also known as the Tai Chi symbol. It consists of a circle that is divided in half by a curved line. A part of the circle is black and it is usually on the underside, this is yin. The other part is white and is on the top side, that’s the yang. These two halves intertwine in a spiral-shaped curve and divide into semicircles.

The small dots between them aligned to the center represent the idea that the two forces carry with them the seed of their opposite. These black and white dots represent coexistence and form a fluid unity. After all, there is no absolute separation between the two forces due to their mutable and dualistic nature.

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The circle is commonly associated with the point. These shapes symbolize unity, perfection and refer to fullness. While the dot represents the center and the divine, the circle brings with it the idea of movement and time in eternal expansion.

The balance of this form reveals the beginning and end of the Universe, and the union of the yin yang within it denotes the balance of this perpetual movement between forces.

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The ideogram Yi means “The dark side of the mountain” and it is always positioned at the bottom, as it represents the earth, darkness, passivity, the moon and the feminine.

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Yang reflects lightness, the sky, lighting, the sun and action, and is represented by the masculine. Its ideogram means “The clear side of the mountain”.

Quoted in the I Ching, the yin yang theory is the foundation of Chinese medicine. The vital energy of the universe, Qi, also generates the forces of yin and yang. This energetic duality must be balanced, because only balance will define whether the person is healthy or not.

And it is from the search for balance of forces that the concept of yin yang applies, read the points below to understand more.

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Anatomy also obeys these principles. Using the definition of yin yang, imbalances in the human body are analyzed and existing symptoms are evaluated. Therefore, it is necessary to study and apply medicinal techniques when these energies are in a state of disharmony.

These characteristics are explicit, since illnesses only appear where there is no harmony. For example, if you have an uncontrollable fever (Yang) try to disperse that energy through techniques that control your temperature (Yin). Therefore, where there is a greater concentration of yang, one should seek to attenuate this force through yin.

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By understanding the meaning of yin yang, it is possible to create analogies with our daily lives. While yang is the active and energetic side, yin represents the passive force. Both are represented by the masculine and feminine, respectively.

This dualism is present in our reality, as well as the force between good and evil, white and black, strong and weak. It is from the observation of these opposing forces that one perceives the yin yang, and that is why it has become so important in our lives. For, as one of the principles of yin yang says, there is nothing neutral in the universe.

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The search for balance begins from the moment one realizes that one of the yin yang forces is disproportionate in relation to the other. But to understand what’s happening to you, you need to observe what force is generating your problem.

In case you are feeling unmotivated and tired, for example, you need to look for alternatives that guarantee you greater motivation and energy to balance your strength and regain your balance. For this, it is important that you are always aware of what you are feeling.

The yin yang is present in all things, as the dualism of forces it symbolizes defines the relativity of the universe. Nothing is neutral, the existence of a force is only perceived when there is an opposing force to it. This is the nature of yin yang and this justifies its complementarity.

Yin does not exist without yang, just as yang does not exist without yin. And the balance between them is essential to ensure a healthy and satisfying life. To deal with these forces and accept this difference, wisdom is needed. Be present in your reality and attentive to the senses to moderate these forces in the best possible way. Seek balance!

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