Developing a good knowledge of the Yin Yang is critical to learning Chinese Metaphysics. Equally important are the Five Elements and Bagua.



Old time Chinese believe that at the dawn of times there was a state of nothingness or vacuum. They call it Wu Ji and selected the circle to represent it.

Two opposite but supplemental primary energies - namely yin and yang - debut out of this nothingness. The active one is designated yang while the passive one is called yin. Both of them - equally important in standing - interact continuously with each other.

The round Tai Qi symbol suggests that the interaction between Yin and Yang is continuous. Yin and Yang is next shown as two tadpole like shape to show that when Yang grows, Yin contracts and when Yin grows, Yang contracts. Next the black spot within the head of the black tadpole shape allude that Yin starts to appear when Yang is at its strongest.

The portions of the pictogram that represents Yin and Yang are always of equal sizes. This shows that both Yin and Yang play equal roles, that both are necessary and neither is more important that the other.

The Principle of the Yin and Yang can be applied to everything in life. Since Yang is active and stands for things strong, traits such as day, summer, sun, motion, white (as in color), angular (as in shapes) and shinny (as in surfaces) are considered Yang. On the other hand traits such as night, winter, moon, stillness, black, smooth and dull are considered yin.

Let me illustrate how the concept of the Yin Yang is applied to seasons, plants, objects, human beings, the Five Elements etc.

Yin Yang can be applied to seasons. Winter is Yin while Summer is Yang. Spring become rising Yang while Autumn is growing Yin.

The concept of Yin and Yang can be applied to objects. Yin objects are those that are small, rounded, dull in appearance or cold to the touch. On the other hand, Yang objects are those that are large, angular in shape, shinny or warm to the touch.

The concept of Yin and Yang can be further applied to plants. For example live plant is Yang while dead wood is Yin. Digging in further, large tree is Yang while small plant is Yin. And rounded leaves are Yin while narrow leaves are Yang.

In human beings, the left brain which guide logic is Yang while the right brain which guide creativity is Yin. Yang personalities tend to display boastful, loud, aggressive and impulsive characteristics while Yin personalities tend to be shy, quiet, soft-spoken and patient.

For the human body, the upper part of the body - above the waistline - and the back is Yang. The lower part of the body - below the waistline - and the front e.g. face, chest etc is Yin. As for the internal organs, the heart, lung, liver, spleen and kidney are Yin organs. The small and large intestine, bladder, stomach and gall bladder are Yang organs.

What about spaces in the home? The bedroom, study and storeroom are classified as Yin. The living, kitchen, family and dining area are classified as Yang. As a rule those spaces that need less noise and lighting or for resting is Yin and vice-versa.

The Five Elements also have Yin and Yang characteristics. When water is still e.g. water in a jar, it is considered Yin. When water is in fast motion e.g. like a waterfall or fountain it is Yang.

Is a river Yin or Yang. It depends. When you compare it to the nearby mountains, water is yang while mountain is Yin. However when the water flows quickly e.g. in straight courses or waterfall it is considered Yang. When the water flows slowly e.g. in meandering course or lake it is considered Yin.