Update: Due to the popularity of this post, we have written a much more in-depth article about Yin-Yang and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
The concepts of Yin and Yang are important intellectual aspects of chinese philosophy and chinese culture and they form the foundation for understanding traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The earliest reference to Yin and Yang is approximately 700 centuries bce in an ancient text called I Ching or the book of changes. According to the Traditional Chinese Medicine World Foundation, Yin and Yang theory — considered the most fundamental concept in TCM — drives the understanding of health and wellness among practitioners of this ancient system of health care. The theory informs how diagnoses are made, and underpins the physiology, pathology and treatment of illness. It is an important part of the study of TCM.
The qualities of Yin and Yang
Thousands of years ago, ancient scholars observed two phases of constant cyclical change, and of balance and harmony. They described it this way: Yin changes into Yang, and Yang changes back into Yin. A few general qualities of Yin and Yang help illustrate the concept.
Yin: Cool, rest, moist, earth, dark
Yang: Warm, active, dry, sky, bright
Yin and Yang represent opposite but complementary qualities. Notice how Yin has a component of Yang, and Yang has a component of Yin. This is represented by the small dots in a Yin-Yang symbol; Yin is black, but is represented with also having a white dot. Similarly, Yang is white, but is shown with a black dot. The TCM World Foundation describes it further:
"Like Einstein’s famous equation, E = mc², the Yin-Yang symbol describes something very elemental and incredibly complex. What Yin-Yang points to and represents is so vast it encompasses everything in the Universe."
Each object, person or phenomenon you encounter in the world is itself and also its contrary, according to TCM. In other words, everything in the universe encompasses opposing forces at the same time. This concept lies at the heart of TCM philosophy.
The four aspects of Yin and Yang
To more fully comprehend the concepts of Yin and Yang, it helps to explore how the two relate to and play off each other. These dynamics are considered the four aspects of Yin and Yang. They are:
- The opposition of Yin and Yang
- The interdependence of Yin and Yang
- The mutual consumption of Yin and Yang
- The inter-transformation of Yin and Yang
Yin and Yang cannot exist without each other — they are inseparable. Yet they are also constantly consuming, or becoming, one another, just as day becomes night and vice versa. Think about it this way also: the way night and day blend into each is seamless. Together day and night make a whole.
The correspondences of Yin and Yang
To further explore the concepts of Yin and Yang in TCM, consider some of the pairs, or correspondences, that represent each side of these two universal energies:
Yin, Yang
Female, Male
Right, Left
West, East
North, South
Earth, Heaven
Moon, Sun
Space, Time
Matter, Energy
Darkness, Light
Water, Fire
Rest, Activity
Grows, Generates
Contraction, Expansion
Flat, Round
Descending, Rising
Below, Above
All phenomena in the universe are the result of the interplay between Yin and Yang. Every phenomenon contains within itself both aspects in different degrees of manifestation. In its purest form, Yang is totally immaterial and corresponds to pure energy. On the other hand, the principle of Yin, in its coarsest and densest form, is totally material and corresponds to matter. Energy and matter are but two states of a continuum, with an infinite possible number of states of aggregation.
Understanding the concepts of Yin and Yang are fundamental to the study of traditional Chinese medicine. To learn more about the Oriental Medicine program at Acupuncture and Massage College, email the admissions department.