yin yang
Balance of opposites
Yin yang is the Chinese philosophical concept of complementary opposites—dark and light, passive and active, feminine and masculine—whose interaction underlies all existence.
The familiar black-and-white symbol shows each half containing a dot of the other, suggesting interdependence rather than opposition.
In casual use, yin yang describes any balanced duality: We have a yin-yang relationship—she's outgoing, I'm reserved.
Terms with contrary meanings
- polarityState of opposing forces
- complementarityMutual enhancement through difference
- interdependenceReciprocal reliance between entities
- dichotomyDivision into contrasting parts
dualism · twofold · interplay · coexistence · antithesis · binary · masculine · feminine
Darkest possible hue
- whiteAbsence of pigment
- circleCurved closed shape
- dotsSmall circular marks
- interlockingEngaging by overlap
swirl · emblem · motif · tattoo · pendant · icon · insignia · mandala
Nameless cosmic principle
- I ChingChinese divination classic
- LaoziTaoism's legendary founder
- Tao Te ChingAncient wisdom text on virtue
- DaoismPhilosophy of natural harmony
cosmology · meridians · acupuncture · qigong · tai chi · cultivation
State of balance
- harmonyAgreement or musical blend
- homeostasisBiological internal stability maintenance
- stabilityResistance to displacement
- symmetryInvariance under transformation
proportion · equipoise · moderation · counterbalance · alignment · integration · unity · wholeness
opposites
Terms with contrary meanings
- polarityState of opposing forces
- complementarityMutual enhancement through difference
- interdependenceReciprocal reliance between entities
dichotomy · dualism · twofold · interplay · coexistence · antithesis · binary · masculine · feminine · receptive
black
Darkest possible hue
interlocking · swirl · emblem · motif · tattoo · pendant · icon · insignia · mandala · teardrop
Tao
Nameless cosmic principle
- I ChingChinese divination classic
- LaoziTaoism's legendary founder
- Tao Te ChingAncient wisdom text on virtue
Daoism · cosmology · meridians · acupuncture · qigong · tai chi · cultivation
equilibrium
State of balance
- harmonyAgreement or musical blend
- homeostasisBiological internal stability maintenance
- stabilityResistance to displacement
symmetry · proportion · equipoise · moderation · counterbalance · alignment · integration · unity · wholeness · synergy
day
24-hour period
seasons · waxing · waning · expansion · contraction · birth · death · hot · cold · summer
- Chinese cultureConfucianism, Chinese calligraphy, Beijing, Chinese New Year, Daoism
- Asian loanwordsanime, sushi, karate, ninja, tsunami
- Chinese beliefsTaoism, Confucianism, qi, feng shui, Tao
- Chinese spiritualityConfucianism, Taoism, Daoism, folk religion, feng shui
- Eastern ReligionBuddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Daoism, Shinto
- Eastern SpiritualityBuddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Confucianism, Shinto
yin yangdualism
Philosophy of opposed pairs
good versus evil · absolutism · monism · either-or · zero-sum
yin yangdisharmony
Absence of agreement
conflict · antagonism · discord · opposition · strife
yin yangchaos
Complete disorder and confusion
imbalance · disequilibrium · polarization · discord · disharmony