Navigate the intricate dance of Yin Yang
Published in The Taoist Online
Dec 11, 2023 (thetaoist.online)
The Yin-Yang principle is the most fundamental philosophy in Chinese culture, established several thousand years ago.
In the Chinese character Yin (阴), 月 stands for the moon, while Yang (阳) consists of 日, which represents the sun. Through the lens of Yin-Yang, the sun is Yang, the moon is Yin. Day is Yang, Night is Yin. Bright is Yang, Dark is Yin. Hot is Yang, Cold is Yin. Active is Yang, and Passive is Yin. Summer is Yang, Winter is Yin, etc. Yin and Yang are two facets of a single whole, capable of transforming into each other.
This principle symbolizes the opposite, complementary and interdependent forces or phenomena of the universe, a pattern evident throughout nature (
). It is the underlying reason behind all phenomena and changes in the universe.
As stated in I Ching, the foundational text of Chinese philosophy: “一阴一阳之谓道”. It means the Tao is the interplay of Yin and Yang. While the true nature of Tao is difficult to define and beyond human language, its essence refers to the universe’s underlying order or flow, Cosmo’s magic force, the rhythm of the universe, and the natural pattern of things.
In my view, the Yin Yang concept also elegantly echoes da Vinci’s idea of simplicity.
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication”
Yin Yang philosophy has profoundly influenced various fields in China and some Asian countries, especially within Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The emphasis on achieving Yin Yang balance for maintaining health is a fundamental concept in TCM, reflecting the compatibility and harmony of multiple organs, body and mind, different emotions, and nature and us. In fact, discerning the Yin or Yang of patient syndrome is crucial for a TCM doctor’s diagnosis and treatment plan.
Amazingly, the same principle finds reflection in modern physics as well. As the leading founder of quantum mechanics, Nobel Laurent Niels Bohr, designed his own coat of arms around the Yin-Yang symbol when awarded the Order of the Elephant, a prestigious Danish distinction in 1947. The motto accompanying the symbol stated “CONTRARIA SUNT COMPLEMENTA”, meaning “opposites are complementary”. The principle of complementarity he formulated is a cornerstone of quantum mechanics, enabling a fundamental understanding of the paradoxical features of quantum phenomena such as wave-particle duality.
Inspired by the Yin Yang principle, I previously wrote about my three frameworks for better sleep and how to gain clarity on work-life balance. The universal concept can be observed across many disciplines and aspects of life. Here are a few more examples.
祸 (Misfortune) vs 福 (Fortune): “祸兮福之所倚，福兮祸之所伏 ”. This is from Lao Tzu’s Tao De Jing. Lao Tzu, the ancient Chinese philosopher and the founder of Taoism, explained the idea that fortune and misfortune come in turns. They are often dependent upon each other, intertwined and interchangeable.
This is similar to the saying “When God closes a door, He opens a window.” Or the phrase “ 否（pi）极泰来”, originated from I Ching, which means bliss comes at the end of misfortune. In I Ching, when the order of the hexagonal symbol for 否 (misfortune) is reversed, it becomes the hexagonal symbol for 泰 (bliss). Likewise, the word for crisis in Chinese is 危机 (wēi jī), where 危 stands for danger and 机 for opportunity. It implies that danger and opportunity often go hand in hand and give rise to each other.
Solitary vs Social: Einstein once stated: “ Man is, at one and the same time, a solitary being and a social being.’’ Indeed, while social interaction can provide companionship and connection, solitude, on the other hand, can foster deep thinking, creativity, and better connection to the inner self. As Einstein also put it: “Be a loner. That gives you time to wonder, to search for the truth.” So, there is a fine balance- have alone time without feeling lonely.
While we aspire for independence, it’s also important to remain open to embracing help when needed.
Introvert vs Extrovert: I used to believe that being an introvert or extrovert is something we are born with until I heard the story of two female VPs: one mentioned that when she began her corporate career, she was an introvert, but over thirty years, she has become an extrovert. Another admitted she was an introvert at home but an extrovert at work. I can’t help but wonder: while there is a genetic component to personality, it could also evolve, influenced by environment and experience.
Moreover, even extrovert needs some downtime, and introvert could benefit from participating in social or group activities at times.
Strength vs Weakness: When it comes to self-improvement, there are two schools of thought in the corporate world: one emphasizes focusing on areas for improvement, as we often do; the other suggests paying attention to enhancing strength, given that weakness usually cannot surpass strengths, no matter how much effort we make. It’s worth noting though, that strength may transform into weakness when pushed to the limit. Sometimes, we can also find strength in weakness.
Take confidence and modesty for instance. We should be both confident and humble, without going to extremes that may lead to arrogance or appearing too humble which can be perceived as a lack of competency.
Yin-Yang inside the human body: The Yin-Yang footprint is also evident in numerous biological activities of the human body. Many self-regulated balances are constantly at work, regulating various physiological processes to keep internal states steady and balanced.
For instance, our breath involves the complementary actions of inhaling and exhaling, the heart functions by rhythmically contracting and relaxing to pump blood throughout the body efficiently, and the nervous system consists of sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves for complementary functions. Intriguingly, on an anatomical level, scientists found pleasure and pain originate from the same brain circuit. Ultimately, the brain seeks the balance of two classes of neurons responsible for pleasure and pain.
Yin-Yang is indeed the law of the universe, symbolizing the interplay and dynamic balance inherent in all aspects of existence. Let’s embrace its rhythm and learn to dance with it.
Thank you for reading. I write about culture and work-life learning, especially the ancient wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine for better living. Click here if you would like to be notified when I publish.
Written by Amy Liu
·Writer for The Taoist Online
Technologist, culture collaborator, PhD, interested in spreading the word about green health & the ancient wisdom of TCM among other things.