Purpose of the Yin / Yang in Taoism

[DaoChild]

Hi all.

 

Obviously you could write a LOT about this.

 

I'm interested in what each one of you think is the importance (and symbolism) of the Yin / Yang to Taoism.

 

Write as much or as little as you want, because I'm actually very unfamiliar with the Yin Yang symbol beyond just the surface.

 

Eager to hear,

 

Daochild

[Wayfarer64]

Hi all.

 

Obviously you could write a LOT about this.

 

I'm interested in what each one of you think is the importance (and symbolism) of the Yin / Yang to Taoism.

 

Write as much or as little as you want, because I'm actually very unfamiliar with the Yin Yang symbol beyond just the surface.

 

Eager to hear,

 

Daochild

 

I believe it to be an easy glimpse of the big picture. Balance and harmony can be depicted, so maybe thay can be attained within ourselves as well?!

[WhiteTiger]

Hi all.

 

Obviously you could write a LOT about this.

 

I'm interested in what each one of you think is the importance (and symbolism) of the Yin / Yang to Taoism.

 

Write as much or as little as you want, because I'm actually very unfamiliar with the Yin Yang symbol beyond just the surface.

 

Eager to hear,

 

Daochild

 

To be 100% bluntly honest, the symbolism of Yin / Yang in Taoism... (Actually can be found in anything) IS WAY TOO BIG OF A SUBJECT

 

Yin Yang Circular Symbol

 

Although the theory that this symbol to my understanding goes back to the Theory that I understand as, Polar Opposites.

 

Any time there is an extreme of one thing... their is always its exact opposite extreme.

Basically put... If their is one Polar Opposite their can always be found the another Polar Opposite.

 

The Label or Name Yin represents a whole bunch of things, and of course the Yang label name represents the polar opposites of those things also.

[TheWhiteRabbit]

A lot of people dont know and go into lengthy descriptions of what yin is and what yang is...

 

Essentially it is the concept that there is balance between the extremes.

 

people think of terms of light dark, wet dry, devil god...

 

It is the concept that there are always inbetween things and energy, it is an anti-duality of these concepts so that people dont see things as extremes like the human mind easily percieves things.

 

You see we all have the god part, and we all have the physical nature that weigh us down. When man finally realizes this concept he will be at peace with himself and his (as well as others) actions.

 

There are many applications of the this yin yang symbol, however this is the original concept in a nutshell

Edited February 18, 2009 by TheWhiteRabbit

[hyok]

Could also be applied to physics - particle/wave, positive/negative charges.

[Stigweard]

Two sides of a hill

The sun illuminates one

The other lays dark

 

[WhiteTiger]

A lot of people dont know and go into lengthy descriptions of what yin is and what yang is...

 

Essentially it is the concept that there is balance between the extremes.

 

people think of terms of light dark, wet dry, devil god...

 

It is the concept that there are always inbetween things and energy, it is an anti-duality of these concepts so that people dont see things as extremes like the human mind easily percieves things.

 

You see we all have the god part, and we all have the physical nature that weigh us down. When man finally realizes this concept he will be at peace with himself and his (as well as others) actions.

 

There are many applications of the this yin yang symbol, however this is the original concept in a nutshell

 

Yes... Understanding the theory and what it is saying is much different then what it represents.

 

If you contemplate for yourself you can start to understand the theory of Yin and Yang... read a book try and extract what you can from their and comtemplate... Everything is much more simplistic then you realize but at the same time Our minds make it so much more complicated.

 

Understanding Yin and Yang is something one should experience... and then one should label that experience a representation of whatever you can best describe what is indescribable in words.

 

To talk until enough information is conveyed until the other reader understands what your talking about and how your talking about it is the point of verbalisations... But only through pure experience can one really understand.

 

The image i presented in my last post represents the Yin Yang Ideal... which i would say in its most basic understanding (because their are many layers to such things) represents Balance and Harmony through showing the two extremes and how they work.

[shontonga]

The image i presented in my last post represents the Yin Yang Ideal... which i would say in its most basic understanding (because their are many layers to such things) represents Balance and Harmony through showing the two extremes and how they work.

 

Yes.

Nice.

 

Thought i also saw neutral?

Extreme Yin & Lesser Yang?

Extreme Yang and Lesser Yin?

 

There is so much more than just the opposites that make up a "whole" !

 

Don't just live life in extremes!

There are so many more textures to life!

 

(at least that's what these eyes saw?)

 

Take the "Yin-Yang" further and it's Creation

both in it's growing and its declining.

You can find the 5 Elements there too.

 

Take a look at it!

(check out White Tiger's first post here)

 

It's So Cool!!!

Check this out kids!

 

Look at the big white part! See that? That is Extreme Yang!

Look at the little black dot bit? That is So Small and so Lesser Yin.

See The Big black part though? It's Extreme! The extreme darkness, Extreme Yin.

With the little teensy bit of white in it, the Lesser Yang!

There is also a center???

(May be saying the wrong word for center???)

 

Take those into the 5 E's and ya get something like this here ~

 

Neutral = Earth

Lesser Yin = Metal(can't make it white!)

Extreme Yin = Water

Extreme Yang = Fire

Lesser Yang = Wood

 

Or we could take this all into the organs?

 

* (though it gets to be just a little bit tricky if ones not used to it?

Things get further broken down just to help with understanding!

So the organs themselves fall into a category of an Element

but they are also Yin or Yang? Get it?

Not to confuse but am trying to simplify this all, lol!)

 

Neutral~ Earth = (yin)Spleen&Pancreas/(Yang)Stomach

Lesser Yin ~ Metal = (yin)Lungs/(yang) Large Intestine

Extreme Yin~ Water = (yin)Kidneys/(Yang)Bladder

Extreme Yang~ Fire = (Yin)Heart(Pericardium)/(Yang)Small Intestine(Triple Warmer)

Lesser Yang~ Wood = (Yin)Liver/(Yang)Gall Bladder

 

and this stuff can also go on forever!

Into colors(left a sample!) , Emotions, Weapons, Directions, Plants, Family,

and on and on and on!!! It's a lot of fun

 

I'd go further but don't want to confuse.

It's a simple way to break things down for understanding.

... maybe a little complex in it's simplicity?

... if we are not used to thinking in such ways?

 

Take the "one" and break it down, then break it down further, and further again,

and then ever further just so you can understand it all in a logical way

and see how things all fit back together again!

 

... A Cosmic Dissection!!!

 

 

Hope this is understandable?

Would love to go further with it but for now

just wanted to stress that it's Not Just About Opposites!!!

 

Right now i'm playing with the Yin and yang (and inbetween?)

in some standing meditation practices.

But There Are Endless Ways to work with it!

 

Have fun with all you might learn with this!

It's great Stuff!

Thanks for bringing the subject up DaoChild!

 

Stay well,

Shon

 

 

 

Edited from my own confusion?

And my being just a bit overly Yang?

Does this make any sense Dao Child?

Can you catch the rhythms of it in just this little bit?

 

Peace kids!

Edited February 20, 2009 by shontonga

[TheWhiteRabbit]

Yes.

Nice.

 

Thought i also saw neutral? Extreme Yin & Lesser Yang? Extreme Yang and Lesser Yin?

There is so much more than just the opposites that make up a "whole" !

 

Don't just live life in extremes! There are so many more textures to life!

(at least that's what these eyes saw?)

 

Take the "Yin-Yang" further and it's Creation both in it's growing and its declining.

You can find the 5 Elements there too.

 

Take a look at it!

(check out White Tiger's first post here)

 

It's So Cool!!!

 

Look at the big white part! See that? That is Extreme Yang!

Look at the little black dot bit? That is So Small and so Lesser Yin.

See The Big black part though? It's Extreme! Extreme Yang.

With the little teensy bit of white in it, the Lesser Yang!

There is also a center???(May be saying the wrong word for center???)

 

Take those into the 5 E's and ya get something like this here ~

 

Neutral = Earth

Lesser Yin = Metal(can't make it white!)

Extreme Yin = Water

Extreme Yang = Fire

Lesser Yang = Wood

 

Or into the organs?

 

* (though it gets to be just a little bit tricky if ones not used to it?

Things get further broken down for understanding!

So the organs themselves fall into a category of an Element but also are Yin or Yang? Get it?

Not to confuse but am trying to simplify this all, lol!)

 

Neutral~ Earth = (yin)Spleen&Pancreas/(Yang)Stomach

Lesser Yin ~ Metal = (yin)Lungs/(yang) Large Intestine

Extreme Yin~ Water = (yin)Kidneys/(Yang)Bladder

Extreme Yang~ Fire = (Yin)Heart(Pericardium)/(Yang)Small Intestine(Triple Warmer)

Lesser Yang~ Wood = (Yin)Liver/(Yang)Gall Bladder

 

and this can also go on forever!

Into colors(left a sample!) , Emotions, and on and on and on!!!

I'd go further but don't want to confuse.

It's a simple way to break things down for understanding.

... maybe complex in it's simplicity if we are not used to thinking in such ways?

Take the "one" and break it down, then break it down further, and further again,

and then ever further just so you can understand in a logical way

how things all fit back together again!

... A Cosmic Dissection!!!

 

 

Hope this is understandable?

Would love to go further with it but for now

just wanted to stress that it's Not Just About Opposites!!!

 

Right now i'm playing with the Yin and yang in some standing meditation practices

There are endless ways to work with it!

 

Have fun with all you might learn with this!

It's great Stuff!

Thanks for bringing the subject up DaoChild!

 

Stay well,

Shon

 

 

very good.

Perhaps you would like this forum also:

 

http://www.fivearts.net

 

Covers a lot of the same principles you expressed only applied to different oracles and sciences developed in the taoist systems.

Edited February 19, 2009 by TheWhiteRabbit

[Bruce]

I love the symbol. To me it's a simple and effective representation of life's extremes with peace and harmony being in the middle. The middle way. Stay in the middle of the circle. I use it as a reminder.

[WhiteTiger]

Don't just live life in extremes! There are so many more textures to life!

(at least that's what these eyes saw?)

 

Can one really only live life in extremes?

 

Aren't their other things at work at the same time?

 

Thought i also saw neutral? Extreme Yin & Lesser Yang? Extreme Yang and Lesser Yin?

There is so much more than just the opposites that make up a "whole" !

 

This is correct according to my understanding although... I could be wrong.

 

 

Take a look at it!

(check out White Tiger's first post here)

 

It's So Cool!!!

 

Look at the big white part! See that? That is Extreme Yang!

Look at the little black dot bit? That is So Small and so Lesser Yin.

See The Big black part though? It's Extreme! Extreme Yang.

With the little teensy bit of white in it, the Lesser Yang!

There is also a center???(May be saying the wrong word for center???)

 

Unless I'm not understanding what your trying to convey... I believe this is incorrect...

 

If you look at the big white part... and that is Extreme Yang how is that the opposite the big black part be extreme extreme yang?

 

Maybe its just a typo you did see there... (hehe, we all make mistakes... I make mistakes all the time!)

 

Thanks,

Peace,

wT

Edited February 19, 2009 by WhiteTiger

[shontonga]

Can one really only live life in extremes?

Aren't their other things at work at the same time?

 

LOL, " The Middle Way Is For Sissies!!!" , says this frazzled burned out child

who seems to have made an art of extremes?

So Many "other things" at work, yes!

 

This is correct according to my understanding although... I could be wrong.

Unless I'm not understanding what your trying to convey... I believe this is incorrect...

 

 

If you look at the big white part... and that is Extreme Yang how is that the opposite the big black part be extreme extreme yang?

 

Maybe its just a typo you did see there... (hehe, we all make mistakes... I make mistakes all the time!)

 

Thanks,

Peace,

wT

 

 

LOL, Yes! You are Right!!!

Will go back to the original and fix that!

... That's my mind going faster than i can type!

Will fix it so as to not add to the confusion even more!

Had to edit it when I wrote it for that too.

Looked at it and everything said "Yang"?

I missed that one!

...Was just Yanging along at high speed!

 

Stay well!

 

Thanks to TheWhiteRabbit too!

Will check that site out?

Haven't seen that one before and am always looking to learn more about all this stuff,

Hard to find folks to talk such theories with sometimes.

Good to see other views too!

 

Gotta go fix that! Thanks

[WhiteTiger]

I don't think The middle way is for sissies.

 

The very common famous Yin Yang Ideal is extremely popular but their are others that teach about other theories. Check out this one...

 

Some Yin Yang Theory

 

According to wiki it is an Ancient form of the Taijitu, as used by Lai Zhide. (please understand labels are labels only meant to represent something) Two martial arts that are completely different can have the same name.

 

Their are many others also. (So I'm starting to learn that I personally just scratching the surface)

[shontonga]

I don't think The middle way is for sissies.

 

no. It's not for sissies. That is my sarcasm... it does get me in trouble?

I think it takes a good heart, one that's calm, strong and gently brave

to walk steadily along that way.

 

The link shows a picture I've encountered before, nice,

but the writing is beyond any bit of understanding!

Can You read it? Know what it says?

 

There are many such pictures, your right.

Many ages worth at that!

 

So much great stuff to learn!

 

Enjoy!

[WhiteTiger]

nope sorry can't read it... wish i could

 

Anyone able to read the writing.

[Unconditioned]

I see neither extremes or non-extremes in the symbol. I just see totality, everything, with no division except the division we create.

 

Aspects of the whole are created when we divide up the whole into parts. For me the most important part of the symbol is the circle that encompasses the light and dark shades. To me it's screaming "yes or no, light or dark, it's all part of the same 'everything'!!!"

[shontonga]

: )

[Trunk]

..importance (and symbolism) of the Yin / Yang to Taoism.

 

yin and yang are opposite potentials

in an integral relationship

separated by distance or semi-permeable membrane/s

rhythmic fluctuation of exchanges

 

yin is nurturing

yang is expressive

 

yin is dense

yang is open

 

example: a blade of grass

the blade receives "yin" from it's base: water, nutrients

and receives yang through it's 'skin': sunlight

 

The water and sunlight are interactive:

the sunlight provides warmth which helps draw the water up.

the water nourishes.

the blade creates nutrients from the sunlight and those are distributed down, all the way to the roots.

 

Same thing when you eat food (yin)

and then go exercise (yang).

 

Yin~yang is a description of practical mechanics.

 

I suggest a short (but a little pricey) book called Statements of Fact in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It contains short statements that are routinely memorized by asian students of chinese medicine. ... about yin~yang, each of the five elements, etc.

 

[WhiteTiger]

Shon...

 

To me Some Yin and Yang Theory represents (when i look at it) balance much better then the Yin Yang Ideal or at least it represents balance in a different way as you can see than the more common Yin and Yang Ideal represents.

 

Although I'm just speaking when I look at that Yin and Yang one by Ancient form of the Taijitu, as used by Lai Zhide (according to wiki). I don't actually know the teachings of it and what it represents... It just looks like a better representation of balance in a different way.

 

If anyone does shed some light on the "Ancient form of the Taijitu, as used by Lai Zhide's Yin Yang circular form" then maybe we can start to see which type of balance theory you like for what sort of representations.

[gendao]

When you draw yang-fire-li down from Heaven and unite it with yin-water-kan from Earth, you may create 2 vortexes with the same directional spin (per the right-hand rule), but facing opposite directions.

So, when they connect and fuse in the middle at your LTT, the 2 spiral flows colliding head-on create an 'S' shape when viewed from above (or below).

As you can see, the original symbol was more of a Golden Mean spiral.

So, this is the "true" meaning of the Taiji symbol.

 

It was a 2D sacred geometry cross-section of the center of a toroidal energetic field - that formed the key to Taoist cultivation

 

 

 

(Or not...as I just made all that up, lol.)

[WhiteTiger]

Ah very nice Vortex... thanks for that...

 

You have your answer Shon...

 

and i have mine... they are more of a representation of balance in my eyes... Maybe thats because the depth of my understanding of the famous Yin Yang Ideal is limited.

 

At least to its full complexity.

[Davgong]

YIN and YANG. This is my understanding of it.

 

It applies to everything that is and isn't(in our awareness). Without yin there wouldn't be yang. They create each other. Yang moves towards yin and qi moves. If you meditate and reach complete yin ie. no thought and body completely relaxed, then yang will begin inside the body. Qi will move around naturaly. There is no complete yin or yang. If somthing in nature becomes to hard it will crumble and become dust, soft. Yin and yang will try to balance each other out naturaly for each situation it is present in.

If ballance is gained then this is what we like to refer to as harmony. If we let our bodies reach a perfect harmony it could be said that we have followed the path and achieved bliss. Buy letting go of everything and allowing nature to balance our lives is the way to good health and longevity.

 

In the beginning if there was only nothing then it would have created something otherwise we would not be. This is yin and yang. Nothing and something. Wuji creates taiji. It is the foundation for the Baqua and the I ching, and all toaist culture.

 

Thanks

 

Davgong

Keep it real and present.

[Wells]

When you draw yang-fire-li down from Heaven and unite it with yin-water-kan from Earth, you may create 2 vortexes with the same directional spin (per the right-hand rule), but facing opposite directions.

So, when they connect and fuse in the middle at your LTT, the 2 spiral flows colliding head-on create an 'S' shape when viewed from above (or below).

As you can see, the original symbol was more of a Golden Mean spiral.

So, this is the "true" meaning of the Taiji symbol.

 

It was a 2D sacred geometry cross-section of the center of a toroidal energetic field - that formed the key to Taoist cultivation

(Or not...as I just made all that up, lol.)

Ingenious and very insightful contribution !!!

Thank's for sharing this, vortex!