The Yin-Yang

[Jezabel]

“It is said that everything in the universe can be explained and divided into the Yin-Yang theory. Yin-Yang theory consists of two forces that oppose one another in their actions. Yang contains the principles of male: the sun, the day, heat, light, domination, birth, summer, life, assertiveness, etc. Yin contains the principles of female: the moon, the night, cold, dark, submission, death, shyness, etc. The Yin and Yang are equal and opposing forces that create harmony and balance within the universe. These forces are opposite yet complimentary, and share an intertwined relationship. Without Yin, there would be no Yang, and without Yang there would be no Yin. When there is balance and harmony neither force dominates the other. Since one force produces and compliments the other, it is important to also understand that each force of Yin and Yang has within it a small amount of the other.” (“The Yin and Yang of Tang Soo Do” by George Klinedinst, Tae Kwon Do Times Magazine, January 2005, )
“This symbol, commonly known as the T'ai Chi Chu symbol, or Yin-Yang symbol has its roots in ancient Chinese cosmology.” “These two words can possibly be traced back to the Shang and Chou Dynasty,(1550 - 1050BC). But most scholars credit the "Yin and Yang" to the Han Dynasty (206B.C.-A.D. 220). At this time, The Yin Yang School was founded by Tsou Yen. It combines the ancient philosophy of the 5 elements-- wood, fire, earth, metal, water-- and combined them into a cosmology of cyclical movements. The reciprocity between the two poles forms a cycle of movement--or the meaning of change. In relationship to the elements, wood and fire belong to the yang, and water and metal to yin. Earth belongs to both yin and yang because it assists both. The yin and yang only represent opposite poles NOT good or evil. One of the first religions to use the Yin and Yang symbol was Confucianism. (ca. 179-104BC) The Shih Ching and the I Ching were the first Confucius classics to feature the Yin and Yang. They are represented by the T'ai Chi, a diagram of an egg in which dark and light stand for yolk and white. It symbolizes the origin of all creation. From the egg was hatched the myth of the first man, P'an Ku. This legend dates back to the Shang and Chou dynasty in China. This was a common myth/idea that P'an Ku was born in Chaos resembling a hen's egg. After his birth, eighteen thousand years later, Chaos opened out and the yang, the pure light elements, separated themselves from the yin, the base elements of the earth. P'an Ku grew until he was tall enough to hold heaven and earth apart and his body became the various parts of the earth.
The two are said to be proceeded from the Supreme Ultimate or T'ai Chi, showing the interrelatedness between the two--for as one increases the other decreases. In addition, this symbol shows the perfect balance between opposites, or the great forces of the universe. This portrays that there is no "real" masculine or feminine nature, but that each contains a part of the other. The two are contained in one circle thus showing that both powers are in one cycle. Instead of these two being held in antagonism, they are held together to show the that they are mutually interdependent partners. One cannot exist without the other.
Today, this theory of cosmology has become a philosophy--a way of life--in which the cycle of becoming and dissolution between the world of nature and human events has melded. Many religions and/or philosophies use the Yin-Yang as their symbol--Confucianism, I Ching, Taoism.
The Tao teaches that "all life embodies yin and embraces yang." (Tao Te Ching, Chapter 42) All life, all existence, forms from these two. This can be called Philosophical Taoism. The yin and yang explain the rhythm of the ebb and flow in nature and man. In addition, it expresses the relationship between being and nonbeing. Nonbeing is consider a higher plane than being because it is the source, or the foundation. And from that point of view Yin is valued more than Yang.
In Religious Taoism the concept of the Yin and Yang is again closely related to the 5 elements and how they correspond to the different forces and centers in the human body. Religious Taoism considers the human body a miniature cosmos unto its own, following the cycles of the yin yang movement.
Now, in the Twenty-first Century the philosophy of T'ai Chi has grown to new proportions. In America, we can equate this philosophy to having a successful life during each day ("early to bed, early to rise") Today, the yin-yang symbolizes the dynamic balance of our lives in the world. In this we are to balance and harmonize, not only with ourselves and others, but also with the universe--balancing the active yin with the contemplative yang" (Drehler, 1990). As we begin to find balance in our lives, we become more whole, more complete, and more at peace with ourselves.
To summarize, the Tao Te Ching, Chapter 42 states:
The Tao is the One,
From the One come yin and yang;
From these two, creative energy;
From energy, ten thousand things;
The forms of all creation.
All life embodies the yin
And embraces yang,
Through their union
Achieving harmony.” (http://user.icx.net/~drherb/yinyang.html)
“In his work dedicated to the Book of Change, Cyrille Javary, on his interpretation upon the yin-yang chapter, quotes Bruce Lee's opinion (3) in this score:
"So long as we persist in separating Yin and Yang we could not hope to achieve them […] if someone wants to ride somewhere by bike, he cannot push both pedals at the same time without remaining nailed. In order to advance he must simultaneously push one of the pedals and release the other one. The complete movement consists of push/release. " Pushing" is the consequence of " releasing' and each of them becomes in turn the other's cause".(4)
What is specific to this description doesn't estrange from the opinions which are generally accepted about this pair of opposites.”
“These events are not connected to man's will, they cannot be handled, controlled by science, technology, wisdom, etc. In I-ching this issue is explained in detail when it makes a distinction between cosmical events and the human ones.” (http://www.geocities.com/taoline/yin-yang.html )
Yin and Yang represent the natural order and need for opposites in the universe for proper function and continuity. This is partially why most martial art schools use the Yin-Yang inspired method of “Praise, Correct, Praise” or “PCP”. The Yin-Yang theory can also be applied to someone approaching you with demeaning behavior, for example if someone cuts you off on the highway. I know many of us, myself included, would give them the good old one finger salute or worse, however, Mr. Klinedinst suggests, “If you do, you have just created an imbalance. You countered his Yang aggressive nature with the same. This is the first step toward conflict and how confrontations escalate to a serious nature. If you have an inner peace and balance, you will drive on and not let the drive bother you. This type of response would be passive or Yin in nature. There would then be more balance in the situation. Thus, many times the best way to teach someone a lesson is to show that you are not bothered by his or her demeaning behavior.” (“The Yin and Yang of Tang Soo Do” by George Klinedinst, Tae Kwon Do Times Magazine, January 2005, ) I don’t think in any regard he is saying sit back and be a pansy, but to analyze a situation to give you the maximum amount of leverage and control, which usually stems from balance. I know in the Tang Soo Do art, Yin and Yang are applied in nearly every movement. Even as white belts, we learn to never just block (Yin), follow up a block with at least one strike (Yang). I believe the Yin-Yang is one of the few ancient symbols that be incorporated and hold significance in almost any path one chooses to follow. Even looking at our castes, you can see the presence of the Yin-Yang, all opposites, yet the same, balancing each other, and interdependent on one another as well as it embodies our concept of twilight.