We usually use the word yin and yang to refer to contradictions. but exactly what does yin and yang mean?, this expression comes from the East and has a rather philosophical meaning. Although we have included it in our vocabulary.
If you want to know what Yin and Yang is, we will explain here what it is, we will give you examples and we will talk about its symbology.
Yin Yang: what is its meaning?
Yin-Yang is a philosophical and religious principle which explains the existence of two opposite but complementary forces in the universe: yin, which is associated with feminine, dark, passive and earth; and yang, which is associated with masculinity, light, active. and sky. According to this philosophy, both energies are necessary to maintain the balance of the universe.
Where does the term come from?
The concept comes from the Yin-Yang School, one of the so-called "100 Schools", a series of philosophical and spiritual currents that emerged in China between 770 and 221 BC
Later philosophical and religious doctrines of Chinese origin that emerged during the same period, taoism, absorbed the principles of the Yin-Yang School, which held that everything that exists has a necessary counterpart for existence. Nothing is stationary or static, but everything is in constant change, in infinite flux, in harmony and balance under the power of yin and yang..
Although there is no consensus on the origin of these terms, the oldest records found to date indicate that pictorial representations of two opposing and complementary forces already existed during the Shang Dynasty (1776 BC-1122 BC), which had been interpreted as a precursor to the concept, then expanded in the taoism.
Yin Yang Basics
According to Taoism, yin and yang respond to certain universal foundations:
- Yin and Yang are opposites: however, they are not absolute, because for this philosophy everything that exists is relative.
- There is yin in yang, just as there is yang in yin: this complements the previous principle, by stating that in every force there is its opposite, even if it is in power, so they are not absolute.
- The two forces generate and consume each other: an increase in yin energy means a decrease in yang energy, but this is not considered an imbalance, but part of the life process.
- They can be subdivided and transformed infinitely: yang energy can be divided into yin and yang qi (and vice versa). Also, one of these forces can be transformed into the opposite.
- Yin and Yang are interdependent: each force requires the presence of the other.
What does each part represent separately?
- El Yin en: Feminine, Black, Darkness, North, Water (transformation), Passive, Moon (weakness and the goddess Changxi), earth, cold, old age, even numbers, valleys, poor, soft, gives spirit to all things.
- El Yang is: masculine, white, light, south, fire (creative), positive, Sun (The Force and Shen Xihe), sky, warm, youth, odd number, mountains, rich, duration, shape everything.
Yin reaches its maximum level of impact in the Winter Solstice. It can also be represented with tiger lines, orange lines, and dots in the I Ching (or Book of Changes) hexagram. On the other hand, the Yang has the greatest impact on Summer Solstice. Another way to represent Yang is with dragon, blue, and solid hexagrams.
Yin and Yang and the relationship between colors
The color of Yin represent the calm and rationality. This can help people relieve mental stress. And people who suffer from insomnia can try changing the blue sheets to help them sleep. However, you should keep in mind that too many dark colors (Yin) can generate negative, passive and depressive reactions in people.
Color Yang represents active, energetic and alive. Many restaurants like to use red because it stimulates the appetite. However, too much sunlight can cause an impulsive reaction.
Yin Yang Application
The concept of two fundamental forces, opposite and complementary, known as yin and yang, has been applied to other niches beyond spirituality. The Book of Changes (I ching) is an oracle that originated in China and is based on the belief that the universe is fluid and changing, that every situation has its opposite, and that a new situation will arise. For example, winter is yin (dark) energy, but it can contain yang (light) energy. Thus, the change of seasons brings spring.
Some martial arts they include stretches that "paint" Tai Chi diagrams, the most popular pictorial representation of yin and yang.
At Lóleo Eventos, Chinese traditional medicineThey treat diseases with opposing energies. In this way, fever indicates excess yang energy (heat) and is treated according to yin energy (cold).
Furthermore, the Feng Shui (discipline of Chinese origin that seeks harmony, aesthetics and energy balance in the environment) is based on yin and yang to determine if a place has a deficiency or excess of these energies, and works to reorganize the environment. space for balance.
symbology
The graphic representation of the yin and yang forces, known in Chinese as Tai Chi Diagram, is a diagram represented by a circle, divided by a curved line, in black and white. One of the earliest such charts was created by the Ming dynasty Taoist priest Lai Zhide (1525-1604).
The Yin-Yang symbol as we know it today is called "early taijitu", which first appeared in the book "Insights on the diagrams of mutations" written by the Qing dynasty (1644-1912). ).
In this diagram, the opposing forces are shaped like a fish (one black for yin, the other white for yang). Each has a dot of opposite color, symbolizing the presence of opposing forces.
Famous phrases of Yin and Yang
Surely at some point you may have heard one of these phrases. Here we collect some of them and explain their meaning:
- "A Yin and a Yang is called Tao".
The changes of movement of yin and yang are called Dao (¨Tao¨ or ¨Dao¨ means Way, the way of life). - "Joy begets sadness"
This means that sadness occurs when happiness is at its peak. This is the application of the yin and yang theory. When a person takes pride in life, he tends to ignore his own shortcomings, which can easily cause problems in the future. - "The beginning of heaven and earth, when it reaches the end, it will transform in the opposite direction, and when the moon is round, it will transform into incomplete, that is Yin Yang."
Use the changing phenomenon of the moon in nature to explain the changes of yin and yang. - "Inner Yang and Outer Yin, Strong Inner and Soft Outer, Approach the Knight and Move Away from the Villain."
That means being talented on the inside, but patronizing and kind on the outside. Make friends with talented people and stay away from short-sighted and malicious people.
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