¿Que significa Yin y Yang?

The original meaning of the terms yīn (陰) and yáng (陽) is not known exactly. The traditional Chinese character, modernly transcribed as yīn (frequently translated as 'dark, gloomy'), represents the northern, cloudy part of a mountain, while the simplified character (阴) appears as the character for 'moon' (月，yuè).

The philosopher Wing-Tsit Chan associates with such terms the natural phenomena of the cloudiness that covers the sun and its brightness. Furthermore, the term yīn is related to cold weather, what is covered and what is interior; and yang suggests the ideas of sunshine and heat. These concepts surely have their origins in ancient agrarian religions.

The representation of pairs of complementary antagonistic forces has been recognized since the bronze age in ancient China, corresponding to the archaeological finds of the Shang dynasty. Basic "dualism" was the first outline of Chinese philosophy whose antiquity is indicated by its inclusion in the ancient I Ching, whose oldest texts date back to the second millennium BC and which bases many of its aphorisms on the basis of the opposition of antagonistic concepts: strength-weakness, high-low, rigidity-flexibility,…

Estatua de Lao-Tzu en el Monte Qingyuan en la provincia de Fujian en la Región del Este de China — Statue of Lao-Tzu in the Mount Qingyuan in the province of Fujian, in the Region of Eastern China

Yin-yang philosophical principle

Yin and yang is a philosophical and religious principle that explains the existence of two opposite but complementary forces that are essential in the universe. Yin is associated with the feminine, darkness, passivity and the earth; and yang is linked to the masculine, the light, the active and the sky.

According to this philosophy, both energies are necessary to maintain universal balance. This concept comes from the Yin Yang school, one of the so-called "100 schools of thought", a series of philosophical and spiritual currents that emerged in China between 770 and 221 BC.

Later, Taoism, a philosophical and religious doctrine also of Chinese origin that emerged in that same period, absorbed the principles of the Yin-yang school to propose that everything that exists has a counterpart that is necessary for existence. In Taoism, yin and yang represent principles found in the universe, which are not opposites, but complement each other. In their interaction, they create everything that exists. Their relationship is recognized through the symbol of taijitu, popularly known as "yin-yang".

Yin representa la oscuridad, el frío, la noche, lo oculto

What is Yin?

Yin is an element that, together with yang, represents a principle of order of the universe and all existing things. Its translation from Mandarin means 'negative force' and is associated with darkness. In this sense, yin is the receptive and passive energy of the universe, understood as the north face of a mountain, hidden in the shadows.

Thus, yin as a negative energy is not understood as something "bad", but rather as something complementary to clarity. Like a shadow that is projected on an object exposed to a ray of light. It is considered an ordering principle of the cosmos or a symbol that represents an energy of certain attributes of things.

Both elements (yin and yang) are expressions used to understand the reality of the human being, that is, ways of observing the social and natural world. In turn, the different cycles and periods of the year are represented by some of these elements. Yin represents the season that covers autumn and winter, characterized by being darker and colder. During these seasons there is less work and outdoor activities.

Furthermore, the meaning of yin has historically been associated with the feminine, since women were assigned to work within the house, caring for and feeding the family, and not work activities in the field (which were considered more active and typical of men).

Characteristics of yin

Female.
Serenity.
Seasons: autumn and winter.
Cold.
Night.
Dark.
North.
Soft.
Contraction movement.
Element of water.
Passive.

What is Yang?

Yang is positive energy, clarity and light, understood as creator and generator. This represents the illuminated south side of a mountain, light, fire, the masculine, the active, the hardness and the warm times are attributes of yang. It translates from Mandarin as 'positive force'.

As a complement, yang represents the opposite of yin, but not in a sense of opposition, but rather as two sides of the same coin. Yang represents the time of spring and summer. During warm times and with more light, as happens during these seasons, work in the field was (and actually is) a common activity.

El yang representa lo masculino, la fortaleza y sus estaciones son la primavera y el verano.

Thus, as a result of the observation of the social and natural world, yang was inscribed in daily tasks carried out outdoors, detaching from this the idea of movement or action. These tasks have historically been associated with men, who brought food from outside the house.

Characteristics of yang

It is masculine.
It is the fortress.
Their seasons: spring and summer.
It is warm.
Your time is the day.
It is clear.
It is associated with the south.
It is hard.
Your movement is the expansion.
It manifests itself in the fire.
Is active.

Both yin and yang need each other and their coexistence allows the universe to exist. Their relationship is that of a continuous movement of action-reaction. Neither of the two has more value or superiority than the other, since they are integral and necessary parts of human, social and natural reality.

I Ching o libro de las mutaciones, donde se busca alinearse el tao a través del equilibrio entre yin y yang

Principles of yin and yang

Yin and yang are opposites but they are not absolute, since everything that exists is relative. There is yin within yang, just as there is yang within yin. This complements the previous principle, by stating that in each of these forces its opposite is present, even if potentially, therefore, they are not absolute.

Both forces generate and consume each other: an increase in yin energy implies a decrease in yang energy, but this is not considered imbalance, but rather part of the vital process. They can be subdivided and transformed infinitely. Yang energy can be split to create yin and yang energy (and the oposite).

In the same way, one of the forces can be transformed into its opposite. Yin and yang are interdependent, that is, each of these forces needs the other to exist. In this way, in Taoism yin and yang are present in all things and creatures. They are not separable, and yet they are distinct. This harmony indicates that there is a way (Tao) that is naturally followed in the universe.

Yin-yang in Tao

Within Taoism, life is lived without blocking the path of things, meaning which "is" must not be obstructed. Every action that goes against the Tao can affect the natural course that things follow.

The idea is to act according to the Tao, that is, through Wu Wei, or 'doing without doing'. This is how people can act without obstructing Tao, free from any manifestation of self-centeredness. To visualize this, you can think of a large river flowing towards the sea. If you were to swim across, go against the current, which is the natural flow of things (Tao), there would be a big amount of energy spent, in addition to a risk of your life. On the other hand, following the flow of the river, the action of crossing little by little by swimming with the current allows less energy to be used. This means letting the river “be” and acting “without doing” (Wu wei), preserving natural harmony.

Relationship between Yin and Yang

El símbolo del yin y yang se llama taijitu y se representa como un círculo dividido por una línea curva que separa un lado negro de otro blanco, con inserciones circulares de su opuesto en cada uno de los lados

Within Taoism and classical Chinese thought, the harmony between the two is the natural cyclical reality. For example, following the daily cycle, most of the activities that require using big amount of energy are carried out during the day. It is therefore the moment in which yang manifests. At night, when sunlight decreases and temperatures drop, activities also tend to decrease. It is the time when people rest inside their homes, which represents yin.

Thus yin represents the passive and yang the active. This union ensures the balance of the universe. It could be said that yin and yang express their meaning precisely because they are complementary. This dynamic is manifested through the qi (chi), the 'life force' that flows in the universe.

Connection of Yin-Yang with Taichi and Chikung

Many of the practices of both Taichi and Chikung have their roots in classical Chinese philosophy and Taoism, so many of their theoretical-practical foundations are based on the principle of complementarity of the opposites yin/yang.

In our Taichi and Chikung classes these philosophical principles are considered intrinsic to these two disciplines and are practiced by perceiving, for example, the sensation of emptiness (yin)/full (yang) produced by the swing of weight from one leg to the other, or by expressing the expansion (yang) and contraction (yin) of movement, from the center of our body to the periphery and from the periphery to the center. To understand and properly incorporate these fundamental principles into practice, we have an specific work out, where we focus on the perception of these internal movements that little by little are expressed naturally in practice.