Are there any Yang and Yin folks out there?

Question

Tell us what you believe?

Answer 1

Taoism is the English name for a variety of related Chinese religious and philosophical traditions . These traditions influenced East Asia for over two thousand years and some have spread internationally.[1] Taoist propriety and ethics emphasize the Three Jewels of the Tao; love, moderation, humility. Taoist thought focuses on wu wei ("non-action"), spontaneity, humanism, relativism and emptiness.


The Chinese character 道 (pinyin Dào, Wade-Giles Tao4) "Way".The character Tao 道 (or Dao, depending on the romanisation scheme) means "path" or "way", but in Chinese religion and philosophy it has taken on more abstract meanings. Tao is rarely an object of worship, being treated more like the Central Asian concepts of atman and dharma.[2] The word "Taoism" is used to translate different Chinese terms. Daojiao (道教 "teachings/religion of the Dao") refers to Daoism as a religion. Daojia (道家 "school of the Dao") refers to the studies of scholars, or "philosophical" Daoism. However, most scholars have abandoned the dichotomy of "religious" and "philosophical" Daoism.[3]

Most traditional Chinese Taoists are polytheistic. Nature and ancestor spirits are common in popular Taoism. Organized Taoism distinguishes its ritual activity from that of the folk religion, which some professional Taoists (Daoshi) view as debased. This sort of shamanism is eschewed for an emphasis on internal alchemy among the "elite" Taoists.

Chinese alchemy, astrology, cuisine, several Chinese martial arts, Chinese traditional medicine, fengshui, and many styles of qigong breath training disciplines are intertwined with Taoism throughout history.


Tao or Dao (道, Pinyin: Dào, pronounced "doe"(Cantonese) or "doew"(Mandarin)) is a Chinese character often translated as ‘Way’ or 'Path'. In ancient China Tao gained a special currency referring to the Way of Nature or Heaven. This Great Way was considered the source of the order that could be seen in Nature and the Cosmos. The concept of the Tao and its relationship to yin and yang heavily influenced Chinese philosophy and continues to this day. Sages such as Lao Tsu and Confucius advocated a deep understanding of Nature so that human life could be lived in accord with the natural order of things. In ancient Chinese civilisation Nature was not seen as a wilderness that was in need of subduing and controlling but was Herself the teacher from whom humanity could learn.

A common theme in Taoist literature is that fulfilment in life cannot be attained by forcing one's own destiny; instead, one must be receptive to the path laid for them by nature and circumstance, which will themselves provide what is necessary. Lao Tsu taught that the wisest approach was a way of ‘non-action’ ("Wu wei") – not inaction but rather a harmonisation of one’s personal will with the natural harmony and justice of Nature. ‘The World is ruled by letting things take their course. It cannot be ruled by interfering’ (Tao Te Ching; Verse 48). Nature is stabilized by order, and humans, everything, exists within nature. Attempting to force one's own path is futile and self-destructive. ‘Do you think you can take over the universe and improve it?...The universe is sacred. You cannot improve it. If you try to change it you will ruin it.’ (Tao Te Ching; Verse 29).

It should be noted that in Taoism the complemental part of "non-action" ("Wu wei") is "non-left-undone" ("Wu bu wei"). Taoism should be viewed as advocating the harmonization of "passivity" and "activity/creativity" instead of just being passive.


TaijituLao Tsu, the legendary author of the Tao Te Ching, was the first to provide a comprehensive treatment of the Tao. The religion based on the concept of Tao - Tao Jiao - is known in English as Taoism. Lao Tsu taught that, "He who follows the Tao is one with the Tao," and "Being at one with the Tao is eternal, though the body dies, the Tao will never pass away.’ (Verses 23 & 16)


The two concepts yin and yang or the single concept yin-yang originate in ancient Chinese philosophy and metaphysics, which describe two primal opposing but complementary principles said to be found in all objects and processes in the universe.

Yin (Chinese: 陰 or 阴; pinyin: yīn; literally "shady place, north slope (hill), south bank (river); cloudy, overcast") is the darker element; it is passive, dark, feminine, downward-seeking, and corresponds to the night.

Yang (陽 or 阳; yáng; "sunny place, south slope (hill), north bank (river); sunshine") is the brighter element; it is active, light, masculine, upward-seeking and corresponds to the day.

Yin is often symbolized by water or earth, while yang is symbolized by fire, or wind.

Yin (receptive, feminine, dark, passive force) and yang (creative, masculine, bright, active force) are descriptions of complementary opposites rather than absolutes. Any yin/yang dichotomy can be seen as its opposite when viewed from another perspective. The categorization is seen as one of convenience. Most forces in nature can be seen as having yin and yang states, and the two are usually in movement rather than held in absolute stasis.

In Western culture, the dichotomy of good and evil is often taken as a paradigm for other dichotomies. In Hegelian dialectics, dichotomies are linked to progress. In Chinese philosophy, the paradigmatic dichotomy of yin and yang does not generally give preference or moral superiority to one side of the dichotomy, and dichotomies are linked to cyclical processes rather than progress. However, taoism often values yin above yang [1], and Confucianism often values yang above yin.

Answer 2

It's Yin and Yang. I believe it is the two opposing forces in the universe. Both are equal and necessary for harmony. Yang includes such principles as strong, active, bright, and male. Yin is weak, passive, dark, and female.

Answer 3

I've got two gold fish named Yin and Yang. I used to have a third one named Yuck Foo, but he got eaten by a kookaburra.

Answer 4

I am an expert on Yang and Yin.

Answer 5

What is that supposed to mean?? I'm Buddhist but i choose to be i was raised christian. If i apply then, i feel like Buddhism makes me happy and like i have a purpose. It fits with alot of the beliefs i already had.