The School of Yin-Yang

Does the concept of Yin and Yang ring a bell in your mind? I’m sure the first thing many of you envision are those black-and-white bracelets, or those mood necklaces, or those colour-changing rings... the list goes on and on. And yes, while such jewellery has become a rather popular, albeit clichéd, symbol of harmony and peace, Yin and Yang at its most basic level is ‘a Chinese philosophical concept that describes opposite but interconnected forces’ (courtesy to our widely trusted friend Wikipedia). In simple terms, this principle is a way of understanding and looking at the world where every situation or phenomenon is thought of as a balance of opposite forces, working together to create a harmonious whole (e.g. the world as we know it). Two complementary forces, namely Yin and Yang, are opposing yet interdependent aspects of all things, their balance essential for maintaining harmony and order in the universe.

A common symbol for Yin and Yang is two halves of a circle (-see mention of jewellery above-). The circle represents the universe, the two halves represent the Yin and Yang forces, and the halves are divided by a curved line which represents their interdependence - one cannot exist without the other. The black half depicts Yin, associated with qualities like darkness, femininity, negativity, stillness, etc. Conversely, the white half depicts Yang, associated with light, masculinity, positivity, activity, etc. These flow into each other and are intertwined, a small dot of each colour present in the other; from this, we can see that (for example) there is a small spark of light even in the midst of darkness, and vice versa. Otherwise, think of the theory as a dance between two partners. They are constantly moving and shifting, creating a harmonious dance while still being in perfect balance with each other. The School of YinYang teaches that this balance is essential for the natural world to function, and for people to live in harmony with it.

Now we finally arrive at the title of this article: The School of Yin-Yang, otherwise known as the School of Naturalists. This philosophy was thought to be founded and developed by Zou Yan, a philosopher living in ancient China during the Warring States era (475-221 BCE). Not only did this school attempt to advance and progress the theory of Yin and Yang to be applied to the human body and to health, but Zou Yan was also the first to synthesise various existing theories about the natural world to create the concept of the Five Elements. He combined it with the developing theory of Yin and Yang to create the central ideas and reasoning behind the School of Yin-Yang.

So what are the Five Elements, you ask? Well, the Five Elements are believed to interact with, and balance, the Yin and Yang forces. At their core, they are the building blocks of the universe - interdependent and constantly transforming into each other - and the key to understanding the world’s workings. We can think of them as ingredients in a recipe. Each ingredient (i.e. wood, fire, earth, metal, and water) contributes its own unique qualities. Just like how a cook must balance flavours and ingredients to create a delicious meal, the Five Elements must be in balance in order for the natural world to function harmoniously - no element can be too dominant or too weak.

While the School of Yin-Yang is an ancient philosophical tradition, its influence is very much seen in contemporary Chinese society. Imbalances in the Five Elements, and consequently in the Yin and Yang forces, were (and still are) believed to lead to disease, and thus restoring balance was thought to restore health. In traditional Chinese medicine, these concepts are still widely used to both diagnose and treat different health conditions. For example, if one has an abundance of fire (anger) in their body, they might be advised to do cooling activities or to eat herbs to balance it out. Additionally, the principles of Yin and Yang are used in Feng Shui, a system of design and placement that attempts to harmonise people with their environment, the balance of Yin and Yang seen as essential for creating a healthy living space. Art, literature, martial arts, you name it! Fragments of ideas from the School of Yin-Yang are present and incorporated into many aspects of Chinese culture - they are often seen as principles that can be applied to all areas of life.

The School of Yin-Yang remains a vibrant and influential philosophical tradition in Chinese culture. Its enduring popularity is most probably a testament to its ability to provide a rich and nuanced understanding of the natural world and of human experience, contributing to a deeper appreciation for the universe while teaching people how to live in harmony with it. So whether you are a student of philosophy, an enthusiast of the rich cultural heritage of China, or simply looking for a way to bring more balance and harmony into your life, The School of YinYang would be a fascinating and rewarding field of study for you.