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Yin and yang are abstract concepts in Chinese philosophy that explain complementary forces in the universe. They are integrated into traditional Chinese medicine, architecture, and martial arts, and strive for balance and harmony.
Yin and yang are concepts fundamental to Chinese philosophy and are also integrated into traditional Chinese medicine, Chinese architecture, and many other branches of Chinese culture and society. Famously, these concepts are often represented with the yin/yang symbol, where equal parts of black and white are shown in balance to demonstrate their harmony.
Rather than being real forces or things, yin and yang are best understood as abstract concepts that explain a variety of phenomena. They are seen as complementary, arising from the same root or action and transforming each other while also working in opposition. They also strive for balance, reaching a state of equilibrium so that they are at peace with the universe as a whole.
One of the classic representations of this concept is as male and female. Women are said to be ‘yin’, associated with things like water and cool temperatures, while men are ‘yang’, associated with fire and metal. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine beliefs, every body should have a proper balance of yin and yang, and this balance may need to be corrected with various practices, herbs and foods.
Chinese martial arts incorporate the concept, and many other Asian martial arts traditions have also picked up on these concepts. Balance is a fundamental aspect of effective martial arts practice, and experienced practitioners can use a variety of techniques to achieve balance, including meditation and respecting traditional etiquette in matches and fights.
Students of Chinese philosophy often integrate discussions of these two concepts into their analysis of philosophical issues, and the need for balance is also seen in practices such as feng shui. According to the idea, everything in the universe has an opposite, and things can always be divided into opposites. Fire and water, for example, are an example of opposites that are also complementary. One can destroy the other, but both need oxygen to exist and both are critically important to life on Earth.
Chinese philosophers have debated yin and yang for centuries. They are part of the five movements or five elements which are also integrated into Chinese philosophy. These concepts have been explored since at least 1,000 BC, when written discussions of these topics began to appear, along with graphic illustrations and lively debates about the nature of the universe.
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