Yin-Yang Symbol
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This ancient symbol appears to be simple. However, its meaning is complex and is very often misunderstood. It represents simultaneously; Dao as the undividable Oneness (Yin plus Yang); the duality of Yin and Yang; the Yin-Yang balance; and the inseparability of Yin and Yang. As Lao Zi explains in his Dao De Jing: "All-things carry Yin on their back and carry Yang in their arms" (§42). Hence, there is some Yin in every Yang and vice versa.
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Dao 道--means the Path or the Way of Nature. Nowadays, the Way of Nature is called Physics. Dao is the principle, substance, and force that explains the origin, formation, and working of the cosmos. The three main characteristics of Dao are: Oneness (一), Nothingness (无物), and Infiniteness (寻寻).
Yang 阳—means literally: the sunny side of the hill. "All-things carry Yin on their back and carry Yang in their arms" (Lao Zi, §42). Within the context of Lao Zi's Dao De Jing, Yang is a cluster of concepts that means also the rational mind, male, front, positive, firm, above, open, overt, dry, active, etc. In Lao Zi’s theory, Yang is the manifestation of Existence or Matter in our reality. Yang is the complementary opposite of Yin.
Yin 阴—means literally: the shady side of the hill. "All-things carry Yin on their back and carry Yang in their arms" (Lao Zi, §42). Within the context of Lao Zi's Dao De Jing, Yin is a cluster of concepts that means also the intuitive mind, the female, the back, negative, yielding, below, hidden, secret, moist, passive, etc. In Lao Zi’s theory, Yin is the manifestation of Non-existence or Antimatter (无有) in our reality. Yin is the complementary opposite of Yang.
For more definitions see the Dictionary.
Yang 阳—means literally: the sunny side of the hill. "All-things carry Yin on their back and carry Yang in their arms" (Lao Zi, §42). Within the context of Lao Zi's Dao De Jing, Yang is a cluster of concepts that means also the rational mind, male, front, positive, firm, above, open, overt, dry, active, etc. In Lao Zi’s theory, Yang is the manifestation of Existence or Matter in our reality. Yang is the complementary opposite of Yin.
Yin 阴—means literally: the shady side of the hill. "All-things carry Yin on their back and carry Yang in their arms" (Lao Zi, §42). Within the context of Lao Zi's Dao De Jing, Yin is a cluster of concepts that means also the intuitive mind, the female, the back, negative, yielding, below, hidden, secret, moist, passive, etc. In Lao Zi’s theory, Yin is the manifestation of Non-existence or Antimatter (无有) in our reality. Yin is the complementary opposite of Yang.
For more definitions see the Dictionary.
If you want to know more about Yin and Yang see the page Lao Zi's Dao De Jing.