Over the centuries, yin and yang principles became part of many different aspects of Chinese and East Asian culture (we discuss some of these more in the next section). Over time, the yin yang symbol has become one of the most common Taoist symbols and is often seen on Taoist temples, robes, and incense burners. It was around this time yin and yang became an important part of Taoism (sometimes called 'Daoism'). Philosophers such as Confucius and Lao Tzu began to incorporate yin and yang principles into their teachings. the first dictionary of Chinese characters was created, and it defined yin as referring to 'a closed door, darkness and the south bank of a river and the north side of a mountain' and yang as 'height, brightness and the south side of a mountain.' Another early recorded instance of the terms yin and yang appearing together referred to yin as the shady side of a hill and yang as the sunny side of the hill.Дuring the Zhou Dynasty (1050вЂ“771 BC), the concepts of yin and yang spread more widely and began to be associated with philosophical ideas. A school named the 'yinyang school' was also developed roughly two thousand years ago that taught the principles of balance and patterns.ДЄround 100 AD. The earliest known reference to the two terms was found on oracle bones where they referred to different parts of nature. The concept of yin and yang has existed for thousands of years in China. It shows that yin and yang represent everything that we know, as well as things we don't understand. The outer circle of the yin yang symbol represents the entirety of the universe. This further demonstrates the connection between the two. In all yin, there is a little yang, and vice versa. The small circles also show that nothing is absolute. Within the symbol, not only do the white and black segments fit perfectly with each other to form a circle, each has a small circle of the other color within it to further show the connection between the two. The ideal situation is when there is an equal balance between the two, as that is when harmony is achieved. At the bottom, yin swells as yang contracts. At the top of the symbol, as yang swells, yin contracts. It shows how yin and yang are connected and constantly flowing into and out of each other. Inside, the dividing line is a soft S-shape. Looking at the symbol, you can see it doesn't have a straight line going through the center to represent the divide between yin and yang. The yin yang symbol itself portrays that interrelatedness. There can be no positive without a negative, no open without closed, no light without shadow. The yin yang symbol represents the interconnectedness of the world, particularly the natural world. Each swirl has a dot of the opposite color in it. There are many variants of the symbol, but the most common is a circle composed of two interlocking swirls/teardrops, one black and one white. It's a familiar symbol you've likely seen many times on jewelry, clothes, notebooks, etc.

The yin yang symbol is often referred to as 'taijitu' in China. You'll see that, for each one, yin and yang represent a pair of opposites, such as black and white, light and shadow, north and south, etc. In the chart below are some of the characteristics each represents. It's the same idea behind quotes like, 'there can be no light without darkness.' Yin (the black segment) and yang (the white segment) each represent various qualities. Yin and yang (or й™° and й™Ѕ in traditional Chinese characters) represent duality, or the idea that two opposite characteristics can actually exist in harmony and complement each other.

How yin yang principles have been used by everybody from politicians to interior decorators to martial artists.

A brief history of yin and yang (this symbol has been around much longer than you think!).

What the yin yang symbol means and why it looks the way it does.You've seen the symbol, but what does yin yang mean? Not to mention, which is yin and which is yang? Yin and yang principles have a long and fascinating history behind them, and we've compiled all the most interesting and important bits in this article.

Yin and yang symbol outline