Yin and Yang

In qigong practice and Chinese philosophy, Yin and Yang are qualities found in all of life. Yin embodies the cool, dark, dense and passive aspects, whereas Yang refers to warm, bright, airy and active energies. Everything contains qualities of Yin and Yang – the weather, seasons, ecosystems, the human body, activities, thoughts and emotions.

Neither is inherently “bad” or “good”, and there are appropriate times when each is more in evidence. There is a mix of both in everything, and life and living beings move constantly between the two.

For example, water is generally thought of as having mostly Yin qualities. However, ice is more Yin than water out of a tap, as it is cold and solid. Steam is more Yang than plain water (it is hot, less dense, and rises upwards.) However, even steam is more Yin than fire.

The practice of qigong aims to bring about a balance of Yin and Yang in our bodies – both within ourselves and in relation to the seasons and our lifestyle. A slow, soft, easy Yin practice is very well suited for most people as a counterpoint to a busy modern lifestyle. Sometimes we may want to practise in a more energized, determined, Yang way, to warm us up in winter or to move more energy around the body.

We are most familiar with the black and white Yin Yang symbol, with a black dot representing the seed of Yin in the white Yang shape, and the white dot representing the Yang possibility within the black Yin shape. The “tails” of each colour taper away, constantly turning into the opposite. However, I recently saw this blue and red version embroidered on a 19th century robe. To me this speaks to the association of Yin with water and Yang with fire. In one depiction the Yang is rising, and in the other the Yin is rising – a lovely balance! You can find this robe in the Chinese gallery at the V&A Museum.