Yin Yang Symbol Essay

At first glance, this symbol may seem like a metaphor for opposites, but it can be explained as much more. The yin-yang symbol looks as if the two different sides are forming into each other and I believe that this represents the cycle life. As humans we live our lives, which ultimately ends with death. It is impossible to live without dying. Both are inevitable and similar to the relationship between yin and yang (Jandl, Lan, Wallner). After death, many people believe you are reborn once you enter either heaven or hell. The cycle does not have an end. Our daily lives are constantly changing and one event can quickly turn into another. It represents the universal harmony between opposing energies and how everything is meant to be. Society

is constantly trying to obtain a perfect balance within its citizens. The ideal world would be where there is no crime or violence, a place where everyone got along. Yin Yang represents the idea of a perfect balance, which everyone strives for.
In the Chinese language, sets of words are classified yin-yang pairs for entailing opposite energies such as fire and water, left and right, light and dark, male and female, sun and moon. These examples rely on each other to function, without a sunset there would not be a sunrise. The imbalance of one side of the energy results in effect the other side. For example if yin increases, then yang must decrease. The two forces must always be balanced. Thinking in terms of our daily routine, day decreases and night increases. There would not be a sunrise if there were no sunset. Both are solely dependent on each other. The yang starts an action and yin completes it. For example, if you are watching a baseball game, the pitch and catch can be described as yin and yang. The pitch would be yang and the catch would be yin. In most children’s movies, there is usually a hero and a villain. This does not follow the belief of the symbol. There is no hero or villain when it comes to understand yin and yang because they are both equal. The villain has a little hero and the hero has a little villain. Yin and yang are within each other and are never separated. MOVE THIS UP TO PARAPH ON ENGERIES.
Most people can connect to this symbol because it makes up who we are. When I first began to understand the meaning behind it, I compared the two forces to the movie Peter Pan. In the movie, Captain Hook is considered evil and Peter Pan is considered to be good. The viewer accepts this as a fact although it is not entirely true. Keeping in mind the belief of the symbol, Captain Hook must have some positive qualities embedded within. He cannot be as evil as he is portrayed to be because he has to obtain some good qualities within.
It is impossible for someone to be considered evil without having some good in him or her. The theory can be used for anyone and anything. For example, the black portion can represent an avid runner who just finished a race but the white portion represents the rest the runner needs in order to stay healthy. It is extremely necessary to rest after a strenuous workout. I think if everyone thought this way about others, we would have a more peaceful society. In today’s day and age, people are quick to judge other and assume the worst. We should try to understand the person and try to examine what they must have experienced to be willing to do horrible actions. Society needs to start thinking about current issues in a more positive manner.
The phrase “opposites attract” when referring to a relationship is derived from this theory. When entering a new relationship, you might be concerned that your significant other is the complete opposite of you, but this might actually be the best thing. If you are complete opposites than you will balance out each other, this followed the theory of the symbol. I have found this notion to be true when looking at my successful friendships and relationships. In the past, my relationships with people who possessed similar personalities as me have ended quickly. It is much more difficult to have a friendship with someone who is like you instead of someone who is different. I can tend to be loud and some of my best friends are considerably quite. Their calmness cancels out my overbearing personality and we are able to get along well. When people are too similar or there is too much of one force, this can be a sign for disaster. Think about if you have two strong willed people in a room together, they are going to compete for attention and probably will not get along well. Two people who are opposites would not have to fight for attention within the friendship.
People have been studying this symbol for centuries and it is still considered to have one of the most misunderstood meanings. In my experience, I have learned that nothing stays constant and we must be able to adapt to change. Personally, I do not enjoy when events in my life change because I like everything to be organized and set. The yin yang symbol can remind us that life is a rapid moving event. It is as if we are on a fast roller coaster and we cannot ask to stop and get off. As humans we must be prepared to deal with whatever is coming in our future. Nothing is certain and we will not know what will happen in the next minute, hour, week, etc.
Adjusting to the college lifestyle was difficult for me because it was a drastic change from what I was used to. I am unfamiliar with the being independent and on my own. All my life, I have been dependent upon my parents to support me and give me everything. Moving six hours away for college was a positive change. I was forced to “grow up” and deal with my responsibilities on my own. The symbol can remind people that change can be good and it is inevitable.
The main relationships between the two energies are as follows: yin nurtures yang and yang protects yin. Biologically, men posses more yang energy and tend to be more aggressive than females. This can be the answer as to why men are generally always thought as to take care of the family financially. This is where the ancient stereotypes of women being the homemaker were created. The Chinese suggested that the female body produced more yin energy and therefore were expected to nurture the males. I think it is very interesting to think how ancient notions still exist within our society. Some people still believe that women should stay home and the men should be working to support the household. I believe this shows how much significance yin and yang have. The energies are intertwined within our modern culture. Gender behaviors that humans display daily have originated from these two energies. The interaction between males and females are due to how much of each of the energies is within their bodies.
Taking time to think about the yin and yang within our body can ultimately help us excel. Humans are not able to live healthy lifestyles when they are being prevented by illness and disease. Balancing the energies within your body can help to cure different illnesses. I believe that we must think back to the origins of our thoughts periodically. It is good to remember how different theories evolved. This symbol holds intelligence that could be used to bring balance to everyone. It is important to remember we live in a world where we encounter people with differing values.
You might be reading this paper and wondering how you can balance the energy within yourself. Symptoms of illness or stress are signs that your biological energy is unbalanced. There are many ways to assist your body in regaining its harmony but the first step is to become one with nature. The yin yang symbol was created with the idea that there are two forces in nature and we must connect with them. The best way to do this is to take a walk outside and breathe in the fresh air. It is important that your body is biologically balanced to ensure that you are performing your best.
The yin yang symbol has revolutionized the way humans think.

This image is no longer just a symbol but a cultural icon. The yin yang symbol can be found pretty much everywhere as it has taken over the consumer aspect. It has turned into something that many people decide to tattoo on their bodies or a bumper sticker on their car. The symbol can relate to everyone’s own personal lives and can have a variety of different meanings. The main objective of the symbol is to display a sense of harmony throughout society.

Every time I see it I am reminded of the constant goal of balance and equality within ourselves. Everyone is different and posses their own qualities but we would not make up a society without everyone in it. The notion that opposites attract is true but they also would not exist without each other.

Looking at the symbol it may seem very simplistic but the symbolism behind it can become profound. The true meaning was created centuries ago and is still evident in today’s society. I believe we must think back to the origins of our thought periodically. It is good to remember how different theories evolved. This symbol holds intelligence that could be used to bring balance to everyone. Remember, our values are not universal. A healthier life can be obtained through the awareness of balance, opposition and interdependence of yin yang in the

body.