You might have heard or seen this symbol above – two swirls, one white (阳) and one black (阴), and a dot of opposite colour on each side. It is better known as the yin-yang (阴-阳)symbol.
This symbol can (literally) be translated to this notion “to seek the light within the dark, and recognise the dark within the light”.
In layman’s terms:
- In times of darkness (阴), there is a sliver of hope or peace (every cloud has a silver lining).
- In times of comfort (阳), one should not be too complacent (be prepared for unseen danger that might be lurking).
Origins
Origins of this symbol may be linked to an ancient Chinese philosopher Laozi 老子, who wrote about naturalistic philosophy (where all beings and events in the Universe are natural (1)) – the Dao and virtue (道德经). Laozi’s teachings have offered many followers a philosophy of life (道家), emphasizing to “making this life significant”.
As philosophy (道家) shares many similar traits with religion (道教), it is not easy to distinguish the two in actual practice (2,3). And, through many years of interpretation and translation of this philosophy, it is also not surprising to find that remnants of religious thinking may have found their way into the text (4,5,6).
The takeaway message is: the yin-yang is the concept of complementary and balance of Qi (as discussed previously) in matters (7). Hence, Qi in matters typically consists of two different and opposing polarities to create a continuous flowing motion (illustrated by the taiji’s circular shape).
Examples of the yin-yang concept include:
- Masculine-Feminine,
- Hot-Cold,
- Day-Night,
- Active-Passive,
- High-Low,
- Left-Right, etc
How do we know if Qi exists among or within us is in harmony?
When the yin and yang aspects of Qi are in harmony with each other, people or within oneself will be in a state of good health and well-being, high spirits and contentment. However, when the yin-yang Qi are in disharmony with each other, we will start to observe behavioral changes and experience obstructions such as being angry, sad and falling ill all the time (8).
This harmonious aspect of life is commonly used in the study of Feng Shui, Bazi and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). In the principles of Chinese philosophy, we strive to be in balance.
I hope you get an idea of this universal concept of yin-yang Qi for a better understanding of some principles in Bazi.
References:
- Naturalism. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/topic/naturalism-philosophy
- Myss, C. Philosophical and Religious Taoism. Retrieved from https://www.myss.com/free-resources/world-religions/taoism/philosophical-and-religious-taoism/
- BBC. (2009). Religious and philosophical Taoism. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/taoism/beliefs/religious_1.shtml
- Formica, M. J. M., MA, EdM). (2009). The Shadow, the Light and the Balance. Enlightened Living. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/enlightened-living/200901/the-shadow-the-light-and-the-balance
- Dao. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/topic/dao
- Chan, A. (2018). Laozi. Retrieved from https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/laozi/#DaoVir
- Marsden, A. J. P. D., & Nesbitt, W. P. D. (2018). Myths of Light and Dark. Myth on the Mind. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/myth-the-mind/201805/myths-light-and-dark
- What Is Qi? (and Other Concepts). (2016). Retrieved from https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/explore-healing-practices/traditional-chinese-medicine/what-qi-and-other-concepts