Yin and Yang
阴阳 · Yīn–Yáng (CJK)
RU: Инь и Ян
Yin and Yang (Chinese 陰陽, yīnyáng) is the fundamental binary model of Chinese philosophy, describing the polarity of all phenomena.
Etymology of the characters. 陰 (yīn) — "the shaded slope of a mountain"; 陽 (yáng) — "the sunny slope of a mountain". Originally a landscape metaphor, it became a universal philosophical principle.
The Four Laws of Yin-Yang
- Mutual opposition (對立, duìlì) — every phenomenon has a polar pair
- Mutual rooting (互根, hùgēn) — Yin does not exist without Yang and vice versa
- Mutual consumption (消長, xiāozhǎng) — the growth of one → the decline of the other
- Mutual transformation (轉化, zhuǎnhuà) — Yin at its extreme becomes Yang and vice versa
The Taiji Symbol
The black-and-white circle with dots. The Taiji symbol (太極, tàijí — "the great ultimate"): ☯ — a black-and-white circle with dots of the opposite color, reflecting the principle "within Yin is the seed of Yang".
Not Substances, but Qualities
Dynamic characteristics. Yin-Yang are not substances, but dynamic characteristics of any process. The same object can be Yin in relation to one thing and Yang in relation to another.
Use in All Chinese Methods
Translation note
Retain as 'yīn–yáng'. Provide context in parentheses when first mentioned.