The Yin and Yang originates from the ancient Chinese tradition of Taoism and it describes our universe in a type of way that helps us understand how things are opposite yet interconnected in a ongoing eternal cycle. 

Within the Tai Chi symbol, the white area is Yang or Masculine Energy and the black area is Yin or Feminine Energy. The two work together in harmony at all times.

When broken down, everything can manifest as either Yin or Yang. For example, Yin means Dark, Cold, Negative, Wet while Yang means Light, Hot, Positive, Dry. Summer is Yang, Winter is Yin. Lying down and resting is a Yin activity, while getting up and moving around is a Yang activity.

There are many ways to continue describing the two: Earth is Yin, Heaven is Yang. Retreating from a battle is Yin, Advancing is Yang. The Moon is Yin and the Sun is Yang. Moving slowly is Yin, moving fast is Yang.

Even different objects all have a side of Yin and Yang. A tiger is Yin while a dragon is Yang. Water is Yin, Fire is Yang.

Lao Tzu in the Tao Te Ching says:

”All things carry Yin yet embrace Yang. They blend their life breaths in order to produce harmony.”

When you see the ancient symbol, you will notice there is a white dot in the black area and a black dot in the white area. This tells us that the two need each other in order to continue the cycle. There can be no Yin without a Yang and as well no Yang without a Yin.

It is important to keep the two in balance and harmony. Sometimes when this doesn’t happen you could find one with too much Yin which could be shown as them being too sluggish or lazy. And the opposite for Yang would be someone who is overly angry.

The full purpose of understanding the Yin and Yang is to see that everything should always be in a state of harmony and balance. When things are out of balance, then there will suffering for us to experience. However, when things are in balance then we will be happy and enjoy well-being.