Found in multiple cultures, the Yin Yang symbol is actually called the Tai Chi Tu. This symbol literally means "Diagram of the Supreme Ultimate." Many believe it has roots in Taoism. Yin Yang is a philosophical concept of Chinese origin that describes how opposite or contrasting forces are actually interconnected, interrelated, and complementary. The principle of duality is symbolized by the Yin Yang form.
Yin is directed to the Shadow Side, and Yang is directed to the Sunny Side.
Yin is considered a receptive principle and Yang is considered an active principle. Our goal or objective is to keep our Yin and Yang in balance and harmony.
Everything contains both Yin and Yang, but the ratio of one to the other is never the same. It changes and flows. As humans, we have both Yin and Yang within us, but they are rarely equal or the same. You can be more Yin one day (or moment) and more Yang at other times. A man may be considered more Yang overall, but at other times in his life he may be more Yin. The same is true for a woman, who may be more Yin or Yang. Changes can be caused by external or internal forces or circumstances!
In all types of change we see opposing or opposing forces; for example: winter (Yin) versus summer (Yang), north-facing shadow (Yin) versus south-facing brightness (Yang), etc. Other examples of this principle of duality (symbolized by Yin and Yang) are light and darkness, fire and water, expanding and contracting… to name just a few.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), either Yin or Yang energy flows through meridians in your body. Six of your meridians are primarily Yin (upstream) and six are primarily Yang (downstream). Yin meridians predominate in the front of the body; Yang meridians predominate in the back of the body. Yin meridians flow into Yang meridians and vice versa. Yin meridians feed Yang organs, and Yang meridians feed Yin organs. A Yin meridian is connected to a Yang organ, and a Yang meridian is connected to a Yin organ.
Yin contains the starting point of Yang, just as day (light) turns into night (darkness). It is clear that they are interdependent. Neither is static, and both change and flow over time. An important thing to remember is that as one (for example Yin) increases, the other (in this case Yang) decreases in order to balance the whole. However, due to external influences, where one is deficient or excessive, the balance can be disrupted. This concept is important in TCM practice.
In Tai Chi forms, Yin and Yang interact in the postures and movements of the hands and feet. They must be in harmony! "Yin and Yang transform each other: like an undercurrent in the ocean, every advance is met with a retreat and every rise is met with a fall." Most people are familiar with the Yin/Yang symbol. They have seen and heard it, but few truly understand its true nature.
When we root (or settle) before taking a step, rooting is Yin and stepping is Yang. When practicing Tai Chi form, one hand usually moves away while the other moves toward your torso. Of course, there are times when both hands move in the same direction (away or toward your torso).
When the hands move downwards it is a Yin gesture. Hands moving upwards or rising is considered a Yang gesture.
When your hands move away from your torso, it is a Yang movement. When they move toward your body or torso, it is a Yin movement.
Yin is moving inward or contracting; while Yang is moving outward or expanding.
Yin is stepping forward, stepping back, or retreating; Yang is stepping forward or pushing.
Yin neutralizes; while Yang energizes.
Yin is everything inside, including the organs, while the skin and surface of the body are Yang.
The lower body corresponds to Yin, while the upper body corresponds to Yang.
Yin and Yang meet at the centre of the body.
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Being and not being do not create each other
Hard and not hard complement each other
Long and short define each other
High and low are opposites
Front and back follow each other
Lao Tzu
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We should try to stay balanced with the awareness that life is always changing and in flux (as in Yin and Yang).