Yin Yang Meaning (and The Law of Reversion)
Yin yang symbol is visually fascinating, but do you know the so-called Ying Yang meaning? Many even wear yin yang tattoo, but how much do you understand this popular concept in Taoism.
If you are familiar with the Taoist law of reversion, it is profoundly connected to the notion of ‘yin yang,’ perhaps the most known concept in Taoism. But we better begin with explaining this ‘yin yang.’
Also read: Taoism 101: What You Need to Know about this Eastern Tradition
Yin Yang Meaning
As can be notices in the famous Yin yang symbol (called the Taijitu), yin yang refers to two halves that together complete wholeness. The word ‘yin’ comes out to mean ‘shady side’ and ‘yang,’ ‘sunny side.’
Basically, Yin yang is the concept of duality forming a whole. People encounter examples of Yin and Yang every day, such as night (yin) and day (yang) and female (yin) and male (yang).
Moreover, yin yang (that is, yin and yang) is also considered as the starting point for change, which is fundamental in the Taoist law of reversion. (Related: Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu (And the Other Sacred Text of Taoism))
By definition, when something is whole, it is complete and unchanging. But when you split something into two halves, the yin and yang, it upsets the equilibrium of wholeness. This initiates both halves chasing after each other as they try to find a new balance with each other.
Take note that yin and yang are seen as so bound together that pure yin and pure yang ultimately reverse. In Taoism, it is held that this reversion of forces is a dynamic law or movement of Tao, a mysterious property of the yin-yang interaction.
Yin Yang and The Law of Reversion
Relatedly, the law of reversion states that anything that develops extreme qualities will revert back to its opposite extreme, and in this way, everything becomes a cycle of constant flux.
Accordingly, the principle of reversion pronounces that the arrival at an extreme indicates the start of decline.
Teaching this idea of the cyclical, Taoism holds that life and death are eternal transformations of being and non-being, and that through this cycle, you will reap what you sow.
As the natural order of things, Tao is believed to be recurrently reviving itself in a cycle of opposites:
“Disorder eventually reverts to order again. Even random motion, from entropy, becomes orderly. Inevitably there comes a point when randomness is evenly distributed …
“As soon as the extreme is reached, the situation reverts to its opposite. The extreme, the ultimate, is individual and unique to each manifestation” (“Taoism Made Simple,” n.d.)
The following are some of the lessons we can infer from Taoist law of reversion:
“Life is cyclic. Great success is followed by decline. Great defeat is followed by recovery. Seek the low place and guarantee improvement. Be humble. Do not overdo. Excessive riches and honors are followed by impoverishment and dishonor …
“Nothing is permanent. All things follow the law of arising and falling. One must attune himself to this rhythm.” (“Taoism,” n.d.)
For other free lectures like this (especially for students), visit Homepage: Introduction to World Religions and Belief Systems
Copyright © by Jens Micah De Guzman
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