Chapter 5
The Principle of Yin and Yang
In This Chapter
The source of everything
Yin: the passive principle
Yang: the active principle
The correct orientation of the taiji—the composite of yin and yang
Can there be male and no female? Can there be left and no right? Can there be hot and no cold? How about day and no night, or anger and no happiness? Of course not. Although each is a counterpart of the other, each is dependent on the other’s existence. Separate but together, yin and yang illustrate the evolution of all things.
The concept of yin and yang is the first principle of feng shui. Initially, yin and yang meant the shady (yin) and sunny (yang) sides of a hill, an idea ascribed to Zhou ancestor Gong Liu when he set about selecting an auspicious site for his people. However, some five centuries later during the mid to late Zhou dynasty (c. 770–481 B.C.E.), yin and yang came to symbolize the two primal forces of qi. Yin was classified as the female principle of nature, and thus, was regarded as passive and weak. Yang was classified as the male principle of nature and was regarded as active and strong.
The yin-yang and wuxing (the five phases of qi that you’ll learn about in the next chapter) models were used to explain the structure, order, and change within the universe. Perhaps the primary champion of correlating the cosmological theories was the Naturalist philosopher, Zou Yan (305–240 B.C.E.). A follower of Confucian and Mencian teachings, Zou Yan was given considerable space as a leading intellectual thinker in the Shiji (Records of the Grand Historian), a Western Han (206–24 B.C.E.) text assembled by Sima Tan and his son, Sima Qian.
The concept of yin and yang is firmly embedded in Chinese philosophy, science, and medicine. In fact, the terms yin and yang originate in the Dazhuan or Great Commentary of the Yijing. The Dazhuan, along with six other essays (collectively called the Ten Wings or Shi Yi, in Chinese), were philosophical theories about the meaning of the divinatory text written some 600 years earlier by King Wen and his son, the Duke of Zhou.
Needless to say, the principle of yin and yang is fundamental to understanding and practicing feng shui. Master the principle, and you will forever change the way you interact with people, your living/working environment, and the outside natural world.
The Big Bang, Chinese Style
Ever since the dawn of humankind we’ve wondered where we come from. Where did it all begin? Why are we here? What happens when we die? Indeed, the mystery of life intrigues us all, spawning all sorts of theories attempting to answer these age-old questions. Many of us believe an all-knowing, all-seeing presence created everything. In the West, this presence is variously called God, the Supreme Force, or the Sea of Consciousness. Some believe we’re a product of pure happenstance. Others even maintain extraterrestrial creatures planted us on planet Earth as colonists. (Of course, there’s also the strictly scientific approach, but we won’t get into that here.)
No one really knows for sure the true source of existence. Yet, our curiosity and determination drive us forward to investigate and understand the unknown.
The Nothing of Everything
The Chinese Daoists have their own idea. By observing nature’s forces and monitoring their effects on our bodies, they’ve concluded we are a microcosm of the macrocosmic natural world. This means the microcosmic (small) universe within our bodies is a reflection of the macrocosmic (big) universe outside of our bodies. Therefore, a comparison can be drawn between our own birth and the birth of the universe.
The Daoists believe that we come from a great void out of which everything emerges. They call this great void Wuji. Wuji is believed to be the fountainhead of creation, the source of pure knowledge. It is expressed as a circle, an unbroken whole.
Symbolizing eternal motion and wholeness, the circle may appear empty, containing nothing. Yet, actually, it’s full of possibility. Similar to the womb, it is both empty and full. When an egg (yin) is fertilized by a sperm (yang), the unified state is broken. The tranquil nucleus containing ceaseless possibilities is set in motion, ready to give life. Change occurs. The single primordial entity divides, forming the two fundamental qi forces of the universe—yin and yang. They are represented as tadpolelike symbols, with a bulge at the top for the head and a pointed end for the tail. Since fish swim head first, this shape accounts for taiji’s (the composite of yin and yang) “movement,” or balancing motion.
Yin: The Feminine Side
Yin symbolizes earth’s force, which contracts and condenses. Yin represents the passive principle in nature exhibited as darkness, cold, and wetness. On a human level, yin symbolizes femininity and inertia. Other traits of yin are shown in the following figure.
You may be wondering (especially if you’re female) whether yin’s dark qualities express the Chinese view of women. No! Even though yin’s associated traits may seem offensive, they are not meant to be taken personally. Think about it—yin is quiet and inward. Traditionally, women stayed at home inside their dwelling. Women receive sperm (inward) and protect the fetus inside. As you shall soon see, yang is associated with the male, activity, and outwardness. Traditionally, men are more active outside of the home. Men send sperm outward.
But what does the dot mean, you ask? Well, it’s not a dot at all; rather, a knowing awareness. The white eye amid yin’s blackness symbolizes the potential for change. Nothing can be wholly yin, just as nothing can be wholly yang. For example, night inevitably changes into day; death and decay always give rise to new life. Even the most heinous criminal and stingiest tightwad have a hint of goodness in them. Just think of Ebenezer Scrooge or the Grinch who stole Christmas!
Wise Words
Yin represents the passive principle in nature exhibited as darkness, cold, and wetness. On a human level, yin symbolizes femininity and inertia. Also, yin represents the realm of the dead.
Yang: The Masculine Side
Yang symbolizes heaven’s force that expands. It represents the active principle in nature exhibited as light, heat, and dryness. On a human level, yang represents masculinity and the positive side of our emotions. Yang represents the land of the living; yin the realm of the dead. Other traits of yang are shown in the following figure.
Yang also contains an aspect of its counterpart, giving credence to the phrase, “What goes up, must come down.” If the sun didn’t rise, we would all die. If you don’t give your body a rest after a strenuous workout, you might drop dead from exhaustion. Get the idea?
Wise Words
Yang represents the active principle in nature exhibited by light, heat, and dryness. On a human level, yang represents masculinity and the positive side of our emotions. Also, yang represents the realm of the living.
The Symbol of Taiji—Opposites Do Attract
The taiji symbol illustrates the eternal interaction between yin and yang. Like two sides of a coin, yin can never separate from yang. Together, yin and yang represent the law of nature: perpetual and unceasing change. Time changes; seasons change; qi changes; your environment changes; and you change. Indeed, the universe, and everything in it, oscillates from birth to death in a beautiful dance of intertwining and interconnected energy.
The S-like curve separating/connecting yin and yang illustrates that nothing is complete, fixed, or absolute. In other words, life isn’t defined by rigid black and white thinking, but rather varying shades of gray. In yin there is the seed of yang, a white tone. In yang there is a seed of yin, a black tone. In the clearest sky, you’ll find a cloud; in the darkest night, you’ll find a star. On your happiest day, there is a hint of sadness; on your saddest day, there is hope.
Despite how complicated the universe may seem, everything is subject to the laws of yin and yang. Finding a balance between the two is primary to feng shui.
Which Way Is Up?
No doubt you’ve seen various illustrations of the taiji. But have you ever wondered whether there is a correct orientation? Although an argument can be made that a model in motion cannot possibly have a defined point of reference, we say that if you had to capture the taiji on a two-dimension plane, a certain configuration embodies the inherent meaning of the symbol. Let’s take another look at the symbol in the following figure.
In Chinese cosmology, the south is always situated at the top. This is because it’s the direction from which warmth and soft winds come, factors that favorably influence crop yield and good health. As you’ve just learned, summer and noon are symbolic of yang. Because heat rises, it follows logically that yang’s “head” of energy orients at the top-left side of the taiji. The fact that the sun rises in the east further illustrates yang’s orientation.
Master Class
How a feng shui practitioner orients the taiji is a strong indication of his or her knowledge of basic feng shui principles. The traditional and correct way to orient the taiji is with the yang white head at the top-left side.
Conversely, north is associated with cold, harsh winds, barbaric attacks, and possible illness. The north is symbolic of yin qi. The “weight” of cold “falls.” Summer slides into autumn. The sun sets in the west. Daylight descends to midnight. Get the idea? Logically, then, the black head of yin should rest at the bottom-right side of the taiji.
Yin and Yang Culture Clash
The imbalance of the world’s ideas, values, and attitudes can be explained using yin-yang terminology. Perhaps if Eastern and Western cultures recognize that each contains an element of the other, factions and frictions can heal. Only then can we unite in harmony. Only then can we say the Earth is but one country, one people.
Western Yang
Let’s face it, we Westerners are yang-oriented. We consistently favor the masculine over feminine; reason over faith; separation over integration; and spending over saving. Our impatience has given rise to fast-food restaurants, microwave ovens, automatic teller machines, self-service gas stations, credit cards, and the ubiquitous remote control. We are besieged with advertisements for all kinds of things, each claiming to be the best. Such thinking filters down to national and individual levels, causing division. When will we realize that we as a culture, and we as individuals, aren’t better than our neighbors?
Yet, as the principle of yin and yang teaches, our “yangness” will eventually revolve to yin. Remember, balance must be achieved. As the seasons give way to one another, the day to night, so, too, do yin and yang. In fact, we can witness this evolution now. Holistic health care, strengthening faith, and movements for social equality all embody the yin in our culture. Can we build, construct, and evolve further? Feng shui provides an answer.
Notable Quotables
Know ye not why We created you all from the same dust? That no one should exalt himself over the other. Ponder at all times in your hearts how ye were created. Since We have created you all from one same substance it is incumbent on you to be even as one soul, to walk with the same feet, eat with the same mouth and dwell in the same land, that from your inmost being, by your deeds and actions, the signs of oneness and the essence of detachment may be manifest.
—Bahá’u’lláh (1817–1892), the prophet founder of the Bahá’í faith, The Hidden Words (1932)
Eastern Yin
Our Eastern counterparts have traditionally been more yin-oriented. They favor philosophy and religion over science; intuitive wisdom over rational knowledge; traditions over progress; family over the individual. Developing the inner spirit has always taken precedence over materialism, technology, and the outer world. Respecting nature’s beauty has been far more important than extracting something from it.
However, the seed of yang is growing. Now more than ever, the Chinese are embracing Western ideas. Elevating their national status, economically and progressively, has become paramount. The spirit of yangness that produced the many scientific and technological advances discussed in Chapter 3 is returning. The balance is shifting as yin revolves into yang.
Yin and Yang and Feng Shui
So what do yin and yang have to do with feng shui? A lot. If yin and yang aren’t balanced in your environment, their imbalance can produce unwanted emotional and physical effects. We have many clients who complain of fatigue, depression, and lack of motivation. Generally, these people spend much time in dark places. Conversely, we have clients who live in bright, sun-filled homes, offering no relief from the sun’s intensity. Is it any surprise these clients complain of headaches?
Much of feng shui relies on plain old common sense. If a room is dark, add more light. If a room is overly bright, add window blinds or curtains. If a room is stuffy, open the window. If it’s too warm or too cool, adjust the thermostat. This is the easy stuff. Yet, life is not always easy. Feng shui is here to help us confront and overcome the difficulties.
The Least You Need to Know
Yin and yang represent eternal change.
Everything seeks a state of harmony and balance.
Nothing can be wholly yin or wholly yang.
The taiji is oriented with its white yang head at the top-left side.