Yin and Yang: the endless energy of movement within us. What is yin-yang

In ancient Chinese mythology and natural philosophy, yin-yang (“tai chi”, Great Limit) is a symbol of the creative unity of opposites in the Universe. It was depicted as a circle, an image of infinity, divided by a wavy line into two halves - dark and light. Two points symmetrically located inside the circle - light on a dark background and dark on a light one - indicated that each of the two great forces of the Universe carries within itself the germ of the opposite principle. The dark and light fields, representing yin and yang respectively, are symmetrical, but this symmetry is not static. It involves constant movement in a circle - when one of the two principles reaches its peak, it is ready to retreat: “Yang, having reached the peak of its development, retreats in the face of yin. Yin, having reached the peak of its development, retreats in the face of yang.”

“The concept of yin and yang - two opposing and complementary principles - permeates everything in the Chinese cultural tradition, from the system of government and relations between people to the rules of nutrition and self-regulation. It also extends to a very complex pattern of relationships between man and the spiritual world... The concept of yin and yang most accurately conveys the Chinese perception of both the outside world and the world within themselves.” (A. Maslov)

According to the ideas of the ancient Chinese, all manifestations of Tao are generated by the dynamic alternation and interaction of these opposing forces. The separation of Heaven and Earth was preceded by a state of pristine integrity of the world. This source of all things was called Chaos (“hundong”) or the Boundless (“wu ji”). For the creation of the world to begin, chaos had to differentiate. First of all, it broke down into two main elements - yang and yin. The interaction of these elements led to the formation of objects of visible nature.

“Initially, yin and yang meant the shadow and sun slopes of the mountain, respectively (this understanding can be found, in particular, in the I Ching) - and this symbolism perfectly reflected the essence of these two principles. On the one hand, they represent only different slopes of the same mountain, not reducible to each other, but also not different from each other; on the other hand, their qualitative difference is determined not by the internal nature of the slope itself, but by some third force - the sun, which alternately illuminates both slopes.” (A. Maslov)

Since the Zhou era, the Chinese began to view the sky as the embodiment of yang, and the earth as yin. “The Qi of Heaven and Earth, when collected, forms unity, and when divided, forms yin and yang,” said the traditional formula. The Sun and Moon, "Tai Yang" and "Tai Yin", Great Yang and Great Yin, form a pair of opposites, giving rise to the forms of Heaven.

Already in ancient times, yang and yin gave birth to a whole series of cosmological symbols. The power of yang was correlated with the sky, the sun, warmth, light, spirit, life, the active and masculine principle, the left side, and odd numbers. Yang symbolizes everything light, dry and high: the mountain, the sky, solar animals and birds. Yin is the primordial waters, passive, feminine, moon, soul, depth, negative, soft and compliant, north, darkness, death, even numbers. In the realm of human thinking, yin is the intuitive female mind, yang is the clear rational mind of the male. Yin is the stillness of a sage immersed in contemplation, yang is the creative activity of a ruler. The contrast of yin and yang is not only the organizing principle of all Chinese culture, but is also reflected in the two main philosophical schools of China. Confucianism gives preference to everything rational, masculine, active. Taoism, on the contrary, prefers the intuitive, feminine, mystical.

Extreme yang and extreme yin correspond to the elements of Fire and Water. The cycle of their mutual transformations includes two intermediate stages, symbolized by the elements of Metal and Wood. A circle of yin and yang transformations is formed, which, like any circle, has its own center. The emblem of the center is the element of Earth. Thus, the Great Limit unfolds into a five-fold structure, which combines the binary yin-yang and the triad of creation, and therefore is a capacious symbol of the universe.

One of the most important concepts of the traditional Chinese worldview is san cai - “three matters”, “three gifts”, “three riches”: Heaven, Earth and Man connecting them. In the cycle of its development, Chaos gives rise to two principles of the universe - Heaven and Earth, and receives completion in Man. The Tao Te Ching says: “One gives birth to two; two gives birth to three; three gives birth to all the darkness of things.” Man, according to Chinese concepts, stands at the center of the universe, closes in on him, and maintains the world flow of being. “From the comprehensive nature of the Tao, which contains both the macrocosm and the microcosm, in the “Canon of Changes” follows the idea of ​​a person as the center of events: a person who is aware of his responsibility can be on an equal footing with the forces of the cosmos - Heaven and Earth... In that To the extent that an individual, aware of his responsibility, is given the opportunity to influence the course of things, variability ceases to be an insidious, unrecognizable trap, becoming an organic world order that is in harmony with human nature. Therefore, man is assigned a far from insignificant role.” (Helmut Wilhelm, “Changes”)

Thus, everything that exists is nothing more than a transformation of a single stream of being, a projection of the Great Path, ultimately a “transformed one.” Both principles - yin and yang - are included in the circle of universal cyclical circulation and change.

Everything in the world is in harmony, balance: good does not exist without evil, just as dark forces do not exist without the forces of heaven. At the same time, Yin-Yang are two opposite energies, which means that they also complement each other. These two concepts came to us from the ancient teachings of Taoist philosophy and to this day represent one of the most important teachings in.

What does the Yin-Yang sign mean?

The meaning of this symbol is not so easy to understand. Let's start in order: so, Yin symbolizes nothing more than the feminine principle, while Yang symbolizes the masculine. If we talk about Yin-Yang as a single whole, a symbol of unity, then we get Tao. The latter, in turn, is the energy that contributes to any creative process. In other words, Tao, according to the ancient Chinese treatise “I Ching,” is a mysterious force, and in some teachings, the mother of the cosmos, which controls absolutely everything on this planet: both living and nonliving processes. It is worth mentioning that the Yin-Yang symbol was discovered back in the 7th century BC, which means that Chinese philosophers were among the first who sought to understand the nature of the universe.

Yin-Yang, man and woman - what does this mean?

As with all life on earth, these two energies coexist in man. Regardless of gender, whether a girl or a guy, each of us has a masculine (Yang) and a feminine (Yin) principle. At the same time, among the fair sex, or more precisely among the majority of them, Yin predominates, the main properties of which are preserving, passive, and perceiving. It is important to note that a woman is the personification of Yin, because she is destined by fate to be the keeper of the hearth, a person who gives life and raises children. Yang is a man, a breadwinner. These two energies not only interact with each other, but they are destined to harmonize, creating a full, versatile, creative life.

It was mentioned earlier that two Yin-Yang energies coexist in each personality. In addition, in order to always be in good shape, in harmony with his inner “I,” a person needs to work on the balance of these two opposites. Thus, masculine qualities should not predominate in a woman (although in the age of feminism this is difficult to believe), just as feminine qualities should not predominate in a man. In addition, excessive passivity can be as harmful as too much activity.

No less important is the fact that the predominance of male and female principles affects well-being and the condition of organs. Thus, any negative changes in the human body are of the nature of Yin changes. This also applies if any organ is suppressed or not functioning sufficiently. Yang energy is responsible for the hyperactivity of the body. Ancient Chinese medicine believes that the root of acute diseases is the influence of Yang energy, and chronic diseases - Yin.

What does the Yin-Yang amulet mean?

Yin-Yang in the form of a tattoo or a talisman symbol on a pendant means energy replenishment, which protects a person from everything bad and evil. Perhaps this is one of the most ancient and powerful talismans. Here, however, there is a small nuance: the amulet must be attuned to the one who wears it. In other words, it is important for a person with a Yin-Yang tattoo to be aware of the existence of two opposing energies and their powerful impact on life and future destiny. The most interesting thing is that the more harmonious, the more balanced the Yin-Yang are, the more successful this person is. The interaction of energies will last as long as they are in unity, represent a single whole, mutually transform into each other and have an inextricable connection.

The concepts of Yin-Yang came to us from China - that is, from the East. After all, both Western and Eastern civilizations have been in contact since time immemorial, complementing each other. But, unfortunately, not everyone understands what the Chinese Yin-Yang symbol means. And, moreover, many do not know how to use the teaching of symbols in their lives.

To understand what the yin yang sign can mean, you should turn to the famous “Book of Changes” - the ancient Chinese treatise “I Ching”. Cosmogonic meaning, that is, relating to the universe, underlies the signs of Yin and Yang. Understanding the meaning of this ancient symbol is an understanding of the main law of unity and struggle of opposing principles.

It was this law that was key to the basis of dialectical materialism, which Soviet students studied not so long ago! This means that it was not discovered in our time, but much earlier - somewhere in the 7th century BC by Chinese philosophers.

The ancient Chinese sages interpreted Yin-Yang as a symbol of the unity of the whole, as its opposite parts interacting with each other, transforming into each other, together constituting the common, strongest energy “qi”. This inextricable connection of parts determines the development of “qi” energy.

What does the famous Chinese symbol look like?

What, after all, does the Yin-Yang sign mean? Everyone, considering this symbol, identifies its main features and characteristic features:

1. The components of the symbol, Yin and Yang, are enclosed in a closed circle, which means the infinity of all things on Earth.
2. The equal division of the circle into two halves, painted in opposite colors (white and black), emphasizes the equivalence of Yin and Yang, their opposite.
3. Dividing the circle not with a straight line, but with a wavy one, creates, as it were, the penetration of one opposite into another, their mutual influence of one sign on another. After all, if you increase one sign, the other will undoubtedly be decreased.
4. The influence of one sign on another is also emphasized by the symmetrical arrangement of points - “eyes” - of the opposite color, that is, the color of the “enemy”. This means that the Yin sign “looks at the world through the eyes” of the Yang sign, and the Yang sign perceives life through the “eyes” of the Yin sign.

That is, the world is created from opposites, which when combined can form a single whole. Are these principles found in unity, friendship and harmony, or do they find consensus in struggle? Only their inextricable interaction brings development.

History of the symbol

It is assumed that the original meaning of the symbol with the image of Yang and Yin goes back to the imitation of a mountain: one side is illuminated and the other is shaded. But this cannot go on forever: after some period the sides will exchange illumination.

For example, there are such “decodings”:

• earth - sky,
• top bottom,
• warm - cold,
• male - female,
• good - evil,
• good - bad,
• harmful - useful,
• light - dark,
• active - passive

Some of these interpretations make a certain sense. But most scientists do not recommend giving the symbol ethical significance. After all, the symbol refers to cosmogonic natural opposites, but not moral ones. Therefore, there is no need to talk about the struggle and unity of the good, kind and useful on the one hand and the bad, evil and harmful on the other.

More details about the origin of the yin-yang symbol:

Amulet with the Chinese Yin-Yang symbol

Charms and amulets help people by energizing them and protecting them from all evil. One of the strongest amulets is considered to be one that contains the Yin-Yang symbol. But an important condition for the help of any amulet is this fact: the keeper (in this case, an amulet, talisman or amulet) must be “tuned” to the one who uses it. Otherwise, such a talisman may pose a threat equal to the strength of the expected help.

The sign of the Chinese symbol Yin-Yang carries within itself universal forces that continuously and eternally flow into each other. It also means active principles, in which the Yang sign corresponds to wood and fire, and the Yin sign corresponds to metal and water. The earth is neutral in this teaching.

In addition, it should be taken into account that yang sign carries the meaning of light, active, masculine, dominant. A yin sign contains the meaning of dark, secret, feminine, calm. However, remembering the unity of opposites, even one specific person cannot be classified into one category or another. Each of us contains both Yin and Yang forces. And the more balanced these forces are, the more successful the person is.

It is the amulet with the Yin-Yang symbol that helps balance two opposing energies, suppressing the dominant one and strengthening the weak one.

The amulet gives the wearer energy balance, helps to find a soul mate, achieve success and harmony. After all, the Yin-Yang symbol carries the meaning not only of struggle and unity, continuous movement and active energy, but also of harmony and beauty.

The forces of Yin and Yang in everyday life

By and large, the struggle and unity of Yin and Yang is present everywhere. Anyone who is not clear what this statement means should think about it. Here's our food. It consists of warm and cold food, sweet and bitter, protein and vegetable. And any diets that limit a person, for example, to only raw foods or only vegetarian dishes, upset the balance and close the path for the development of “Qi” energy.

Speaking about Yin and Yang, they note that the meaning of the symbol is the smooth transition of one sign to another. Therefore, in a person’s home, both directions should smoothly transition into one another. Otherwise, the individual’s mental state is subjected to severe stress, which does not at all contribute to either success in life or improvement of his health. The exception is institutions - the principle of Yin or Yang in its pure form dominates there. In a home that should help you gain energy, relax, have fun and enjoy harmony, the presence of both principles is necessary.

Yin and yang. Two fundamental principles of the Universe. Yang is the heavenly male force, and yin is the female earthly force. The concept of unity and struggle of these two primary foundations is not unique to China. Indeed, in one form or another, myths of the creation of life by connecting Mother Earth and Sky Father can be found in ancient myths and religions of almost all peoples. For example, in the yoga system, an analogue of yin and yang is called ha-tha (approximate translation “law of the Sun and Moon” "), hence hatha yoga.
Yin energy – in properties close to gravity, strives to compress everything into a point, strives to compress space and time into a single black hole. This is a force that absorbs energy and sends it to nowhere. Coagula of alchemy. Initially - the dark cold power of the Cosmos.

Yin is the original chaos that reigned before the appearance of matter and space-time.
Yang – desire for expansion. A force characterized by breaking boundaries and expansion, the force of an explosion and light, solar radiation. Solve the alchemists. The expanding force that defines space and time and preserves them.
In the macrocosm, the struggle between the forces of gravity and solar radiation (yin and yang) determines the nature of reality. In the microcosm, their interaction nourishes our life force.

The connection and unification of two opposites gives rise to movement and Life, both the material and spiritual world.
“All things bear yin on the surface and contain yang within; when both of these essences are united, vital energy is produced in a harmonious manner" (Tao Te Ching, verse 42).
Contraction and expansion, feminine and masculine, darkness and light, cold and heat are one in their difference. Yin and yang are like the two poles of a magnet. They are different in their properties and manifestations, but are united as a whole, and one cannot exist without the other. The ancient Chinese yin-yang symbol is filled with deep philosophical meaning - everything contains the germ of opposites. Everything in the Universe is in constant struggle, in motion, in change. All life is a continuous transformation, everything flows and changes.
The definition of yin and yang is strikingly close to the modern understanding of the nature of the universe and modern scientific theories. It is interesting that many physicists drew their ideas from the bottomless well of Eastern wisdom - it was not for nothing that Niels Bohr, after being knighted, chose the yin-yang sign for his coat of arms as a symbol of harmony between the ancient Eastern and modern Western sciences.
Followers of the Taoist school of Mo Tzu say: “Everything that exists on Earth is yang, but the Earth itself is yin.” Everything that strives for compaction has more yin qualities. Everything that strives to expand is more yang qualities.
Yang is active, masculine, heavenly energy. It is described as a hot energy of bluish light rising from below to above. She has the qualities of the “male” primary elements – Fire and Air. Diffused in space, striving to expand, yang energy permeates all life on both Earth and in the Universe. Everything where there is a desire for movement and expansion is based on the power of yang.
Yin is passive, feminine, earthly energy. It is filled with the cold of vacuum, Space, primordial darkness. Yin embodies the primordial chaos that reigned before the emergence of matter and space-time. This energy has the properties of the “female” primary elements – Water and Earth. Like water, this energy strives to fill the void, rushes from top to bottom in an effort to fill and compact the space. Compare with the Book of the Law: “For forever he is the Sun, and she is the Moon. But for him it is a winged secret flame, and for her it is starlight descending from the heights.” A person, according to Taoist teaching, can only experience yin as a result of interaction with yang - due to its passive and unmanifest nature.
According to Taoism, yin and yang were first in an unmanifested form in the Tao.
Tao can be understood as a universal principle, rationally inaccessible, and therefore a person should interfere as little as possible with his conscious action and desire to prevent this principle from realizing itself, should live in a more intuitive way. To follow the path of reason, neglecting intuition, means to be at enmity with the Tao, and one who is at enmity with the Tao inevitably causes harm to himself and those around him. It’s as if he is swimming against the current, but this current is so strong that it will still subjugate him. Those who swim against the current waste their strength. Exhausting his strength, he comes to the death of his consciousness and his “I”.

The Tao that can be expressed in words is not the permanent Tao.
The name that can be named is not a permanent name.
The nameless is the beginning of heaven and earth, having a name - the mother of all things.
Therefore, one who is free from passions sees the wonderful mystery [tao],
and whoever has passions sees only it in its final form.
Nameless and having a name of the same origin,
but with different names. Together they are called the deepest.
The transition from one deepest to another is the door to everything wonderful.
(Tao Te Ching, verse 1)

The concept of “Tao” and its connection with the Kabbalistic Tree of Life is described in A. Crowley’s work “The Magical Tao”:
1. Tao is concentrated in Kether as a point.
2. Tao directs itself into Chokmah and becomes Masculine Power. It is called Yang and is symbolized by the Whole Line.
3. Tao expands into Binah and becomes Feminine Power. It is called Yin and is symbolized by the Broken Line.
4. These three concepts: Tao, Yang and Yin – give rise to Heaven and Earth with all their contents.

Thus, yang qi is the energy of the right trunk of the Tree of Life, and yin qi is the energy of the left trunk, respectively. The coincidence of color perception of yang-qi energy is interesting. The color of Chokmah is blue, the same color as the rich, “densified” yang energy.
Ideas about yin and yang, about the energies of qi and Tao can be found in a slightly modified, “encrypted” form in many things of Western tradition and culture. E. Levy's astral light, magnetizer fluid, galvanism and magnetism - aren't all these names the same energy?

Two civilizations - Western and Eastern - came into contact even before the campaign of Alexander the Great, exchanging knowledge and enriching each other. Mention of the Greeks (“Yona”, “Yavana” - translation of the ethnonym “Ionians”) is found in the Indian epic “Mahabharata”, in the Decrees of Ashoka, etc. The Greco-Bactrian, Indo-Scythian and Indo-Greek kingdoms are known.

Maximum territory of the Indo-Greek kingdom in 175 BC. v.

The ruler of the Indo-Greek kingdom, Menander I (Milinda), not only officially converted to Buddhism, but by the end of his life he even became a Buddhist arhat (a saint who achieved nirvana).

Silver drachm of King Menander I “the Savior” with the inscription on the reverse “Maharaja Menander the Savior” in the Kharoshthi language (Kharoshthi is a writing apparently descended from the Aramaic alphabet. It was widespread in Northern India and the south of Central Asia in the 3rd century BC. - IV century e.v.).

Coin of King Menander I with the wheel of dharma.

Plutarch says that after his death, the ashes from the funeral pyre were distributed among many cities, and monuments (presumably stupas) were built, like those of the Buddha. According to the Mahavamsa (a historical poem about the kings of Sri Lanka, covering the period from the 6th century BC to the 4th century BC), the Greek monk Mahadharmaraksita came from the city of Alexandria (presumably Alexandria Caucasus near Kabul) with 30 thousand Greek followers of Buddhism for the ceremony opening of the Great Stupa at Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka (circa 130 e.v.).
A number of researchers agree that it was the Greeks who stood at the origins of the Mahayana movement in Buddhism. Considering that it was Mahayana Buddhism that spread to China, Tibet, Korea and Japan, it can be argued that the West had a significant influence on the history of the East. And at the same time, the profound influence that Indian wisdom had on the Greek philosophers of that time and, consequently, on the subsequent development of the West is undeniable. For example, the philosopher Pyrrho, who followed Alexander and returned to Greece to teach his followers (among whom were Zeno and Epicurus), was a proponent of the Digambara (ascetic) branch of Jainism in India. The influence of Buddhism is clearly visible in the works of Onesicritus and Strabo.
The first known anthropomorphic images of Buddha appeared as a result of Greco-Buddhist mutual influence. Before this, Buddhist art was aniconic (Buddha was depicted only through symbols: an empty throne, the tree of enlightenment, footprints of the Buddha, the wheel of dharma, etc.).

The symbol of the caduceus, personifying the forces of transformation, the unity of opposites, the rod of Mercury, is surprisingly similar to the system of chakras and the movement of yin and yang along the meridians of the body. Let's compare images from Mesopotamia,

Rod of Mercury (Hermes):

meridians yin and yang:

The human body is an information-wave energy structure to a much greater extent than just a physical body. Qi energy penetrates the body with air when breathing with air, with food, but also through biologically active points (acupuncture points) and spreads along the meridians and internal organs. Chinese doctors count about 700 such points in the human body. These points have increased sensitivity, permeability to different types of radiation and high electrical potential. According to some information, the cell membrane of acupuncture points can receive information that is transferred by magnetic fields, microwave, EHF, laser, radioactive particles, etc.).
In the ancient Chinese treatise “Huang Di Nei-ching”, points are poetically described according to the degree of interaction with the energy of qi: “where qi arises in the body, a well point is formed; where qi oozes, a stream point appears; where qi flows, a the river point; where qi moves like a stream, a river point is formed; and where qi enters the body, moving to the organs, a sea point is formed.”

Whether energy is also emitted only from these points or from the entire surface of the body remains an open question.

In 1962, North Korean scientists discovered a system of tube-like structures that have very thin walls and penetrate the human body in accordance with acupuncture meridians. Quote: “These tube-like structures (“Kenrac system”) have access to the skin and subcutaneous integument. They end in small, loose oval formations, sharply different from nearby tissues. The location of these formations corresponds to acupuncture points. The Kenrak system is a network of waveguides and serves to transmit high-frequency currents. Note that the speed of energy flow through it is much higher than the speed of chemical reactions and the speed of the nerve impulse. The mechanism of action of the Kenrac system is described as follows. Neurons, receiving a low-frequency action current, convert it into a high-frequency current before further transmission. Then - “at the output” - the reverse transformation occurs into the action current - for the next neuron. Such transformations naturally take some time. However, the body needs accelerated energy transfer, which is provided by the Kenrac system. High frequency currents are transmitted to the Kenrak system by a neuron. This explains the role of the central nervous system that controls energy exchange and the possibility of conscious redistribution of energy in the body. The movement of high-frequency currents in itself creates a special energy shell of a person - an aura. On the other hand, the Kenrac system allows a person to receive energy from the external environment through receptors in the respiratory system and the mucous membrane in the digestive tract. Energy in the form of high-frequency currents also comes through biologically active points.”
There is still debate about whether the Kenrak system was truly discovered or whether it was a clever hoax with the approval of the Korean government. But even if this is nothing more than a hypothesis, it makes an attempt to explain the real processes occurring at acupuncture points and the mechanisms of the body’s energetic interaction with the energies of the Universe.

To saturate the body with energy, it is necessary to create in the body a kind of Emptiness, a vacuum. And streams of energy flow into this Emptiness, trying to fill it, give it shape - after all, Nature does not tolerate emptiness. By tensing the muscles as much as possible and then completely relaxing them, thereby creating a “vacuum,” we cause a surge of qi into the physical body. By clearing our consciousness of images and thoughts, stopping the internal dialogue through meditation, we cause saturation with the energy of our consciousness and mental body.
Meditation is a state where there are no thoughts and time, no images and feelings. True meditation is the Emptiness, where there is nothing - not even the awareness of one’s “I”. Meditation is the line between sleep and wakefulness, between consciousness and unconsciousness. We must free ourselves from our feelings and attachments in order to become useful to the entire Universe.

The symbol of the unity of yin and yang in Taoism is the lotus.

The lotus as an aquatic plant is an emblem of the Forces that create through Fire and Water - symbols of Spirit and Matter. He also embodies the triple aspect of time: the past - with buds, the present - with a flower, the future - with its seed.
He is the embodiment of integrity, as he reconciles the Yin of water and the Yang of light.
It symbolizes perfection and inspiration, impregnates itself and exists in itself: it is the embodiment of Tao.
In the magical formula “Om mani padme hum” (“Pearl in the Lotus”), the word padme - lotus - represents spiritual flowering, allowing one to take possession of the Pearl (mani).

In Buddhism, the lotus symbolizes the primordial waters; potential capabilities of the manifested world and man in it; spiritual opening and blossoming; wisdom and nirvana. The lotus stem is the world axis on which stands the flower of the lotus throne - the pinnacle of the spirit. The lotus is dedicated to Buddha, who emerged from the lotus in the form of a flame and was called the Pearl of the Lotus
In Iran, the lotus symbolizes the Sun and light.
In Mayan symbolism, it personifies the Earth as the manifested Universe.
In the Sumerian-Semitic tradition, the lotus personifies both the Sun and solar gods, and the lunar gods with the Great Mother.
According to E.P. Blavatsky, “the lotus symbolizes the life of both man and the Universe. Moreover, its root, immersed in muddy soil, personifies matter, the stem stretching through water represents the soul, and the flower facing the Sun is a symbol of spirit.” The lotus flower is not wetted by water, just as the spirit is not stained by matter, therefore the lotus personifies eternal life, the immortal nature of man, spiritual revelation.
In Ancient Egypt, creation, birth and the Sun as the source of life were associated with the image of the lotus. This great flower blossomed, rising from the depths of the primordial waters, and carried the Sun God on its petals.

Ra as Hor-par-Kraat on a lotus flower

Since ancient times, the lotus has been associated with supreme power: the lotus was a symbol of Upper Egypt, and the scepter of the Egyptian pharaohs was made in the form of a lotus flower on a long stem.

I want to end with the words inscribed on the wall of the Temple of Hathor in Dendera: “Take for yourself the lotus that has existed since the beginning of time, the sacred lotus that reigned over the great lake, the lotus that comes out for you from Unit, it illuminates with its petals the land that was before in the darkness."

Everything in the world is in harmony, balance: good does not exist without evil, just as dark forces do not exist without the forces of heaven. At the same time, Yin-Yang are two opposite energies, which means that they also complement each other. These two concepts came to us from the ancient teachings of Taoist philosophy and to this day represent one of the most important teachings in Feng Shui.

What does the Yin-Yang sign mean?

The meaning of this symbol is not so easy to understand. Let's start in order: so, Yin symbolizes nothing more than the feminine principle, while Yang symbolizes the masculine. If we talk about Yin-Yang as a single whole, a symbol of unity, then we get Tao. The latter, in turn, is the energy that contributes to any creative process. In other words, Tao, according to the ancient Chinese treatise “I Ching,” is a mysterious force, and in some teachings, the mother of the cosmos, which controls absolutely everything on this planet: both living and nonliving processes. It is worth mentioning that the Yin-Yang symbol was discovered back in the 7th century BC, which means that Chinese philosophers were among the first who sought to understand the nature of the universe.

Yin-Yang, man and woman - what does this mean?

As with all life on earth, these two energies coexist in man. Regardless of gender, whether a girl or a guy, each of us has a masculine (Yang) and a feminine (Yin) principle. At the same time, among the fair sex, or more precisely among the majority of them, Yin predominates, the main properties of which are preserving, passive, and perceiving. It is important to note that a woman is the personification of Yin, because she is destined by fate to be the keeper of the hearth, a person who gives life and raises children. Yang is a man, a breadwinner. These two energies not only interact with each other, but they are destined to harmonize, creating a full, versatile, creative life.

It was mentioned earlier that two Yin-Yang energies coexist in each personality. In addition, in order to always be in good shape, in harmony with his inner “I,” a person needs to work on the balance of these two opposites. Thus, masculine qualities should not predominate in a woman (although in the age of feminism this is difficult to believe), just as feminine qualities should not predominate in a man. In addition, excessive passivity can be as harmful as too much activity.

No less important is the fact that the predominance of male and female principles affects well-being and the condition of organs. Thus, any negative changes in the human body are of the nature of Yin changes. This also applies if any organ is suppressed or not functioning sufficiently. Yang energy is responsible for the hyperactivity of the body. Ancient Chinese medicine believes that the root of acute diseases is the influence of Yang energy, and chronic diseases - Yin.

What does the Yin-Yang amulet mean?

Yin-Yang in the form of a tattoo or a talisman symbol on a pendant means energy replenishment, which protects a person from everything bad and evil. Perhaps this is one of the most ancient and powerful talismans. Here, however, there is a small nuance: the amulet must be attuned to the one who wears it. In other words, it is important for a person with a Yin-Yang tattoo to be aware of the existence of two opposing energies and their powerful impact on life and the future fate of the individual. The most interesting thing is that the more harmonious, the more balanced the Yin-Yang are, the more successful this person is. The interaction of energies will last as long as they are in unity, represent a single whole, mutually transform into each other and have an inextricable connection.

Woman and man sign

Since ancient times, people have tried to convey the essence of a man and a woman with various drawings. The images expressed both existing differences and unity. The most famous signs of the masculine and feminine principles are “Yin” and “Yang”, as well as the symbol of Mars and Venus. Each of them has its own history and specific meaning.

Female and male signs

The first symbols of Mars and Venus appeared during the times of Greek and Roman mythology. The signs known to many were taken from astrology, and they became so widespread thanks to the botanist Carl Linnaeus. He used them to distinguish the sexes of plants. It was from this time that these symbols began to be called gender symbols, that is, defining gender.

Female Venus sign depicted as a circle with a cross pointing downwards. It is also called the “mirror of Venus”; according to assumptions, the name appeared due to its external similarity. This sign symbolizes femininity, beauty and love.

Male sign of Mars depicted as a circle with an arrow pointing upward. It is important that the hand, when viewed on the hour dial, points to two o'clock and signifies the power of the god of war. This symbol is also called the “shield and spear of Mars”, given its appearance. The combination of the masculine and feminine signs has several meanings. The union of Venus and Mars embodies heterosexuality, that is, love between representatives of different sexes. To denote bisexuality, different combinations can be used, there is no specific meaning to this day. Transsexuals have their own symbol - the sign of the feminine and masculine principles are superimposed on each other, that is, the ring has both a spear and a cross. The combination of two male and two female signs separately does not have a clear definition and can mean both love and friendship.

Signs of a woman and a man - “Yin-Yang”

The philosophy of ancient China indicates that in the surrounding world there is an interaction between the feminine and masculine principles all the time. “Yin” is a feminine symbol and it contains concepts such as submission and passivity. The opposite is the male symbol “Yang”, which represents positivity and development. Chinese philosophy states that any object located in the Universe can be described using the energy of the feminine and masculine principles. All living beings on earth, as well as planets, stars and zodiac signs, are subject to the Yin-Yang laws. Each of the existing zodiacs has its own polarity. The Zodiac begins with a male sign, and then there is an alternation.

Most men and women fully support the Yin-Yang theory. For example, representatives of the stronger sex love to demonstrate their superiority, but the fair sex is endowed with excellent intuition and softness. As with every theory, there are exceptions. In the modern world, you can often find women who have a masculine character; all this is connected with the individual characteristics of the human psyche. It is impossible to change this, no matter how many people would like it, since these traits are innate. An ideal couple is considered to be a union in which a man with a pronounced “Yang” and a woman with “Yin” are connected. In such a couple, the man will be the leader and breadwinner, and his companion will be the keeper of the hearth. Interestingly, there are unions in which everything happens the other way around, and such couples are also strong and meet quite often. If there are people in a relationship for whom the same principle prevails, then the union will be quite difficult and, most likely, short-lived. There is only one way out in such a situation - the distribution of roles, where each partner must be responsible for a certain sphere of influence.

Yin-yang tattoo: meaning and location of application

Today tattoos have gained particular popularity. A tattoo is an artistic design that is applied to a person’s skin. Such designs can be on any part of the body. There are entire catalogs from which the customer chooses a future picture. The choice should be approached very responsibly; after all, a tattoo is made for life. There is even an opinion that the chosen pattern can radically change one’s fate. Chinese characters, mythical creatures and yin-yang tattoos are especially popular.

History of the Yin-Yang Symbol

This is a very old symbol that came to us from ancient China. This sign clearly divided the world into light and dark sides. From the point of view of Chinese philosophy, yin-yang tattoo shows the interaction of various opposites. In Eastern countries they believe that this sign harmoniously indicates the eternal struggle of good forces with evil.

There is also such an interpretation. It is believed that Yin is a symbol of the feminine principle. It symbolizes the fertility of the entire earth and characterizes only even numbers. Yang is the masculine force that characterizes the givers of life and odd numbers. Residents of China are especially sensitive to these symbols and signs. In almost every home you can see such a drawing in a prominent place. Today, a picture with two opposites flaunts on various parts of the body in the form of a tattoo.

Meaning of yin-yang tattoo

This tattoo is not divided into male and female. Every representative of humanity can have this eastern symbolism tattooed on their body. Very often you can see “yin-yang” tattoo sketches, which depict a dragon and a tiger. By choosing a certain animal, we theoretically stand on the side of evil or good.

A yin-yang tattoo always looks stylish; its meaning is actually very simple. A person who chooses such a body pattern strives to find harmony not only with the world around him, but also with himself. Many people are regularly tormented by doubts about the correctness of their actions. It is believed that such a picture can radically change the situation.

Girls put a slightly different meaning into yin-yang tattoos. They believe that after applying the picture they will find female happiness. And, as you know, it is achieved through harmonious communication with the male sex. In any case, everyone decides for themselves what meaning to put into their body art.

Places for tattooing

Anyone can get this tattoo. But where the yin-yang tattoo will look best is up to the person himself to decide.

You can also get a yin-yang tattoo in the area where veins accumulate. It is in these places that blood circulation and hidden energy force occur. These places include the neck and wrists.

Sketches and interesting tattoos

Yin-yang tattoo designs are created by many artists. It is impossible to ignore this ancient symbol. They draw various animals and whole plot pictures.

In fact, there are no boundaries; you can express your creativity and create your own understanding and vision of this sign.

In addition to drawing, do not forget to choose a tattoo parlor responsibly. Illiterate underground craftsmen can not only create a low-quality image, but also cause irreparable harm to your body. You need to get a tattoo only when you are sober, without giving in to emotional impulses. Of course, it is possible to get rid of body art, but this is a rather difficult and expensive procedure. Therefore, be in harmony with yourself and make the right decisions.

YIN AND YANG - FEMININE AND MEN

Which half of the yin yang is male and which is female? thank you in advance

*Kisunya*

The basis of the ancient wisdom of China and Japan was the concept according to which every thing, situation, feeling, etc. is two-valued, has two poles and has its opposite: day - night, war - peace, man - woman...

YIN is the Feminine principle (black square (earth). Expansion, external, ascending, space, sweet, violet, light, electron, water, oxygen, plants (especially salads), sympathetic nervous system. Too much yin leads to chilliness and fears , especially being in public, leads to masochism.

Yin symbolizes everything that is dark and earthly:
femininity,
north,
cold,
shadow,
Earth,
passivity,
humidity
black color,
valley,
trees,
nocturnal, aquatic and swamp animals,
most colors.
even numbers;

YANG is the Masculine principle (in the form of a white circle (also representing the sky). Compression, internal, descending, time, salty, red, heavy, fire, proton, hydrogen, carbon, animals (especially predatory ones), parasympathetic nervous system. Too much Yang leads to aggressiveness, even cruelty and sadism.

Yang symbolizes everything light, dry and high:
masculinity,
south,
light,
activity,
dryness,
emperor;
active principle,
spirit,
rationality,
height,
extension,
positive,
hard and unyielding.
mountain,
sky, heavens,
solar animals and birds;
odd numbers;