This is the third of a series of articles on Taoism, an ancient Chinese philosophical tradition. This article deals with yin-yang, the principle of harmony and change. Taoism s central organizing principle is the interconnectedness of all life with its flow of continuous change. Nowhere is this idea expressed in such a unique and exquisite manner as in the concept of yin-yang, which describes the underlying unity of life through the interplay of opposites.
Taoist writings state that all things and all processes contain two primal energies or forces.
These two basic aspects of manifestation often are described as masculine and feminine, light and dark, negative and positive, creative and receptive. The original meaning of the term signified the light and dark sides of a mountain. From a Taoist point of view, however, these two polar opposites are not seen as distinctly separate or in conflict, but rather as interdependent and complementary. In actuality, one creates the other. All can know good as good only because there is evil.