Finding Balance- The Meaning of the Yin Yang Symbol
My study of Traditional Chinese Medicine is never-ending. Maybe that’s why I like it so much. But another reason I love it is because in addition to helping me understand the human body, it helps me to understand life itself.
The notion of yin/yang is at the core of ancient Chinese Taoist philosophy and dates back at least 3,500 years. (It’s also at the core of Traditional Chinese Medicine.) At first glance, yin/yang theory may seem obvious, but when we take a closer look we can see how these forces interplay in all aspects of life.
Yin/Yang is the idea that there is a duality to everything. But rather than this being some kind of oppositional or destructive conflict between two rivals, the yin/yang concept points out that there is a great harmony to be found in the contrast between things.
For instance, we don’t have sunrise without sunset, warmth without coolness, expansion without contraction, rain without steam, energy without fuel, success without failure, activity without rest, growth without decline and so on and so on…..
Looking at the yin/yang symbol we can see it’s in motion. The black and white teardrops “chase” each other. As yin grows, yang emerges. A simple example is thinking about how the day gradually flows into night. We can see that at the brightest time of the day (ultimate yang) there is a sliver of darkness just beginning to grow (minimum yin). The dots in the symbol represent the seeds of each other contained within.
This turning motion of the yin-yang circle is constant. It creates change and marks the passage of time.
Possibly the most beautiful aspect of the symbol is that the summation of yin and yang form a whole. As one side increases the other decreases to maintain balance.
We can learn from the wisdom of the yin/yang symbol to create balance in our own lives (and our planet too.)
Here are some of the benefits that may come from contemplating the principals of yin/yang ideology:
Greater Self-Awareness: By taking time to reflect on the areas of your life represented by yin and yang, you will become more aware of where you are out of balance. This can be a helpful first step in making changes to bring more harmony to your life.
More Balanced Decisions: The philosophy of yin/yang theory can help you to make more balanced decisions by reminding you to consider all aspects of your life when making a choice. This can lead to better long-term outcomes and a more balanced overall lifestyle.
Improved Health: When used as a guide for making healthy choices, the yin/yang principals can lead to improved physical and mental health. This includes constructing more balanced meals, exercising appropriately and managing stress in a healthy way.
Greater Sense of Peace: The wisdom of yin/yang can also help you find a greater sense of peace by reminding you of the interconnectedness of all things. It illuminates the cycles of life and may help you to have a deeper understanding of the world around you.
One thing’s for certain…there’s something about balance that’s required for healing. Our bodies know this innately and I think the planet does too. Finding homeostasis is a path to health and understanding the yin/yang symbol is a profound tool to assist us and help us live our best lives.
(For more information on yin and yang watch this fun, short animated video!)
https://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-hidden-meanings-of-yin-and-yang-john-bellaimey