The symbol represents the belief that everything in the universe consists of these two symbiotic forces. In all Yang, there is Yin, and in all Yin, exists Yang. As an example, Darth Vader has the seed of goodness, and Luke has the potential to follow his father to the dark side. There is a black dot in the white spiral and a white dot in the black spiral – these small circles remind us that everything contains the seed of its opposite, and that nothing is absolute. The white swirl, the Yang, represents the sun, growth, and passion. The black swirl, the Yin, is associated with femininity, receptivity, and the moon. The Yin Yang symbol is a circle with two teardrop-shape swirls. The idea of dualism represented by yin and yang has influenced countless philosophers and scholars, particularly those associated with Taoism and Confucianism. In yoga, the combination of active (Yang) and receptive (Yin) practices is essential in order to create overall balance. The origins of the duality concept and the symbol date as far back as the Yin dynasty, around 1400-1100 BCE. The movement of these energies is described as the perpetual cycle of Chi.Īlthough they are described as polar opposites, they are completely dependent on one another, with one dissolving into the other in a pattern of constant transformation. Yang is depicted by the white teardrop shape, and has an upward energy like the inhale breath. The color black symbolizes the inner, intuitive sense of understanding the intricacies of life.Īs Yin energy also moves inward, it transforms into Yang energy, ruled by the sun, which then rises and moves outward.
Yin energy moves downward, like exhaling breath, and is depicted by a black upside-down teardrop shape in the Yin Yang symbol. Governed by the moon, Yin energy is restorative and receptive. Everything is both cyclical and constant, revolving in an infinite cycle of energy, or Chi (Qi). The basic philosophy of Yin and Yang is that everything in the universe exists in opposition. Let’s take a closer look at the Yin Yang symbol, its meaning, the philosophy behind it, and how we can apply its lessons to our yoga practice. Attributed to Taoism, the Yin Yang symbol and its meaning dates back to ancient China. These opposites form the foundation of yoga, and are most often referred to as Yin and Yang. The small white dots nestled within each half represent the seed of one within the other, illustrating how they are never totally independent from one another and how they cannot exist without the other.Darkness and light, inhales and exhales, expansion and contraction – these are all vital components of life.
The Yin and Yang although polar opposites constantly transform into one another night becomes day and day gives way to night birth comes to death and death paves the way for rebirth hot grows cold and cold warms up to become hot. The way they are wrapped around each other suggests a fluid continuous movement or constant interplay which gives birth to everything in the world as we know it. The white half is the Yan-qi or the fundamental masculine energy. The black half is the Yin-qi or the fundamental feminine energy. The outer circle represents Tao, the source of all existence and that which unifies all. 2,279 Yin And Yang Symbol Premium High Res Photos Browse 2,279 yin and yang symbol stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. One half is black with a small white dot at its center, and the other half is white with a small black dot at its center. The symbol is composed of an outer circle enclosing 2 teardrop-shaped halves wrapped around each other. The Yin-Yang is the most prominent Taoist symbol, also often called the Taiji. The concept of Yin and Yang has its roots in ancient Chinese philosophy.