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Yin-Yang
According to ancient Chinese thought, an energy
known as ch'i (pronounced kye) runs through the body.
The passive or negative part of this energy is called
yin, whereas the active or positive part is called yang.
Together, yin and yang are often referred to as yin-
yang or yin and yang. Yin and yang are used to
describe how opposite or seemingly opposite forces
can be connected or dependent on one another in
nature, with one giving rise to each other. Examples
are darkness and light, man and woman, happy and
sad, hot and cold, seen and unseen, and low and high.
As an example of the interdependence between
opposite forces, one cannot truly appreciate what it
means to win if one never experiences a loss.
The symbol for yin-yang.
The belief that opposites only exist in relation to each other (complement one another),
forms the basis of many aspects of Chinese traditional medicine, science, and martial
arts. The belief of yin and yang holds that it is present in everything, although either yin or
yang can sometimes be more prevalent and may fluctuate over time. The ideal is to strike
for balance and harmony. If there is too much imbalance, the belief is that sickness and
illness can result and thus by restoring the proper balance of yin and yang, the idea is to
restore health.
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