Yin-Yang is a deeply rooted concept in Taoist philosophy, representing the constant state of change or duality in the universe forming a whole.
It describes how opposite forces are interconnected and mutually dependent in the natural world; and, harmony is only achieved when the two forces combined, are in balance.
Any phenomenon within nature can be understood in relation to another; one will always be yin or yang in comparison with the other. For example, the morning fog (yin) is dissipated by the heat of the sun (yang); the darkness of night (yin) is replaced by the light of day (yang). One simply cannot exist without the other, shadow can’t exist without light.
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Yin and Yang explains the constantly changing state of the universe, but yet maintaining its oneness |
Yin is characterized as slow, soft, yielding, diffuse, cold, wet, and passive; and is associated with water, earth, the moon, femininity and nighttime.
Yang, by contrast, is fast, hard, solid, focused, hot, dry, and aggressive; and is associated with fire, sky, the sun, masculinity and daytime.
Yin-Yang are continuously changing, and are endlessly transforming one into the other in an eternal dance of becoming, and within this constant change is a cyclical pattern. The symbol shows the cyclical changes, and the dots inside the white and black halves indicate that within each is the seed of the other.
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