Yet they are also constantly consuming, or becoming, one another, just as day becomes night and vice versa. Yin and Yang cannot exist without each other - they are inseparable.

The inter-transformation of Yin and Yang.These dynamics are considered 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. In other words, everything in the universe encompasses opposing forces at the same time. This concept lies at the heart of TCM philosophy. What Yin-Yang points to and represents is so vast it encompasses everything in the Universe.'Įach object, person or phenomenon you encounter in the world is itself and also its contrary, according to TCM. 'Like Einstein’s famous equation, E = mc², the Yin-Yang symbol describes something very elemental and incredibly complex. The TCM World Foundation describes it further: Similarly, Yang is white, but is shown with a black dot.

This is represented by the small dots in a Yin-Yang symbol Yin is black, but is represented with also having a white dot. Notice how Yin has a component of Yang, and Yang has a component of Yin. Yin and Yang represent opposite but complementary qualities. A few general qualities of Yin and Yang help illustrate the concept. They described it this way: Yin changes into Yang, and Yang changes back into Yin. Thousands of years ago, ancient scholars observed two phases of constant cyclical change, and of balance and harmony. It is an important part of the study of TCM. The theory informs how diagnoses are made, and underpins the physiology, pathology and treatment of illness. 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 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. Update: Due to the popularity of this post, we have written a much more in-depth article about Yin-Yang and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Yin and yang