What is yin yang theory?

Ancient Chinese people were very interested in relationships and patterns that occurred in nature. Instead of studying isolated things, they regard the world as a harmonious and inclusive existence. In their view, there is no single existence or form unless it is related to the surrounding environment. By simplifying these relationships, they try to explain the complex phenomena of the universe.

Yin and Yang's theory is a kind of logic that associates things with the whole. The theory is based on two basic elements: yin and yang, neither material nor energy. They combine in a complementary way and form a way to interpret relationships between objects. Gradually, this logic evolved into an ideology applied to other fields. Traditional Chinese herbal medicine (TCM) is an example of the field where Yin Yang theory is used to understand the complex relationship of the body.

The original idea of ​​yin and yang comes from the observation of nature and the environment. "Shade" refers initially to the dark side of the slope, "Yang" refers to the sunny side. Later on, this idea appeared in pairs and was used to understand other things with complementary and opposite properties. Some examples include: sky and earth, day and night, water and fire, active and passive, men and women. Using these ideas, ancient people have realized that almost everything can have the characteristics of yin and yang. Yin and yang can describe two opposite aspects of the same phenomenon, as in the example of a slope, or describe two different objects such as the sky and the earth.

In general, yang is related to the functional aspect of the object and has more energy quality, such as movement, ascent, expansion, heat, brightness, progression, briskness, and superfunctional state. On the other hand, the shade is related to the physical form of the object, and energy characteristics such as a stationary state, a falling state, a contracted state, a cold state, a dark state, a deteriorated state, a latent state, and a functionally insufficient state are low.

The basis of the theory of yin and yang is that all sensitive phenomena are the appearance of two opposing forces, yin and yang. The earliest definition of yin and yang can be found in I King, "firm" and "soft". Other characteristics (each) are light and dark, cold and heat, full and sky, expansion and contraction, deformation and protection. These examples help to understand the attributes of these two aspects, but the nature of yin and yang is much more complicated. The difference between yin and yang and other dualistic philosophy lies in a series of rules that interact with its ambiguity and rule elements. There are many ancient and modern literature describing the theory of yin and yang, but this article will focus on four basic points.

In understanding, diagnosing and treating health problems, Yin Yang theory is the basis of TCM practice. At the most fundamental and deepest level, Kampo treatment is aimed at balancing the yin and yang of each person. In the texts of ancient Chinese medicine, the power and importance of yin and yang are expressed like this. "If you can understand yin and yang, you can master the universe." Things are always balanced back to a state of balanced perfect harmony. Yes, there is a certain change, but this movement and the movements at the deepest levels create harmony and perfect harmony. Yin and Yang are two types of energy that embody a universal law that ensures that everything is in harmony.