Yin and Yang: a source of magic for everything that happens
A lot of everyday experience tells us that not only black and white exist. This is precisely what we are told by Chinese philosophy. In order to preserve harmony and order in the world and inside our body, we have to keep the two elements Yin and Yang balanced. If we do not, this can mark the onset of illness, chaos and disharmony.
Striving for balance of Yin and Yang
Yin represents passive energy, rather sad, corresponding with the night and is symbolised by water and earth. This is a female element. As opposed to this, we have the element Yang with a male principle, which is happy, active and corresponds with the day, being symbolised by fire and wind. Yin is death, Yang is birth.
All of the forces of nature have both of these states which are in constant motion. They affect each other like magnets: Yin attracts Yang and vice versa. They are dependent on each other, like the day which cannot exist without the night. They support each other. The magic of everything that happens consists in the fact that opposites repel and attract each other.
The symbolism of Yin and Yang
The elements Yin and Yang are most often symbolised by the so-called monad, a circle which is divided into identical parts with opposing colours. Yin is black, Yang is white. Inside of each part however, we find a dot the colour of the other element. This represents traces of one energy in the other. Even in the dark night sky, you will find light from the stars. The outwardly weak Yin holds in itself a core of the strong Yang, just as the ostentatiously powerful Yang has in it weakness and doubts.
You will also find a symbol of Yin and Yang in the Jewish faith – in the six-pointed star which is made up of two triangles placed opposite across each other. And the Christian cross symbolises exactly the same. The elements placed at right-angles to each other represent two quite contradictory elements, which do however make up one whole and one of which cannot exist without the other.
Yin and Yang in the art of Feng Shui, astrology, medicine and history
The elements of Yin and Yang relate to all areas of our world. They are an integral part of Chinese philosophy, medicine, astrology, history and divination.
The cycles of these two forces are known in Chinese philosophy as the Five Elements which are part of the art of Feng Shui. They cycle in phases which are symbolically labelled wood, fire, earth, water and metal.
Feng Shui is also based on two elements which should be represented in our homes. Yang areas include space such as doors, windows and passages. Yin is represented by dark and isolated rooms suitable for rest and sleep. Both elements are required here in order to preserve balance.
