The Yin Yang Symbol and it's Relevance to Tai Chi Chuan

The Yin Yang symbol is also known  as the Tai Chi symbol. The Yin Yang symbol embodies the philosophy of Tai Chi Chuan. A lack of understanding of this concept is the reason why many people fail to gain the maximum benefits available from Tai Chi.

This is the Yin Yang symbol or Tai Chi symbol with, in this case, blue representing Yin and white representing Yang. It is a symbol that reflects the inescapably intertwined duality of all things in nature, a common theme in Taoism, and the theories of modern quantum physics are remarkably similar. No quality is independent of its opposite, nor so pure that it does not contain its opposite in a diminished form: these concepts are depicted by the vague division between black and white, the flowing boundary between the two, and the smaller circles within the large regions.

The Yin Yang symbol is almost universally known in English but the concept behind it is very much misunderstood. It is often represented as positive and negative, male and female, two opposite forces or ingredients that make up the cosmos. Yin and Yang are neither forces nor ingredients but symbols. They take on different meanings in different contexts. The Yin Yang symbol itself shows how everything has two opposite but complementary aspects. If we talk of looking up at the sky, up and sky are only meaningful when related to down and earth. One can’t exist without the other. The bright sky would be Yang to the dark earth. But a sky which is overcast and comparatively dark would be Yin compared to the bright sunny sky. Yin and Yang, here symbolising dark and light, are relative as well as complementary.

The Yin Yang symbol and Tai Chi training

The Yin Yang symbol expresses the concept from which Tai Chi takes its name and it is present in all dimensions of Tai Chi. The Shaolin Kungfu from which Tai Chi was derived, was a hard external style. It emphasised hard physical training and fast forceful movements. This is Yang. Tai Chi is Yin. It is an internal style that focuses on breathing and chi. Practicing the movements slowly makes it easier to develop and control the flow of internal energy. When this skill is mastered, the movements can become fast and forceful, completing the harmonious cycle of Yin (slow and gentle) and Yang (fast and forceful). To practice the movements without the breathing co-ordination and visualisation will have little effect. An understaning of the concept of Yin and Yang is an essential element of any Tai Chi Class.

The stress some martial artists place on the fighting aspect of their art can lead to sacrificing health for better fighting ability with toughened hands and feet that have lost their sensitivity. Even worse can be the spiritual damage in the form of aggression and irritability. Tai Chi masters regard this as excessive Yang. In contrast, many modern students and teachers of Tai Chi Chuan over emphasise the health aspect and know nothing of its martial application. This also shows imbalance. To practice Tai chi Chuan without an understanding of its martial application is to miss its essence. Without this, the health benefits are minimal, probably less than other forms of exercise. An excess of Yin, like an excess of Yang is contrary to the spirit of Tai Chi Chuan.

The Yin Yang symbol and combat

To be an efficient fighter, you must apply the principles expressed by the Tai Chi symbol. If my opponent is preparing to move, I remain still and assess him and focus my mind and energy. I do not move needlessly. Stillness and motion, Yin and Yang symbolically expressed as, ‘if Yin, more Yin, if Yang, more Yang’. When my opponent moves, I move faster. My faster movement becomes Yang to his Yin.

Another strategy is to use Yin against Yang, symbolically expressed as ‘if Yang use Yin, if Yin, use Yang. A whole class of combat situations can be summed up as ‘circular against straight, straight against circular’, where circular is Yin and straight is Yang. The opponents’ straight punch is met by a rotation of the hips and circular motion of the arm gently guiding the blow away and a straight palm strike. The opponent counters with a circular kick to the ribs. Without having to block this, a diagonal step to the right allows a straight thrust kick to the thigh.

An understanding of Yin Yang harmony allows us to appreciate the importance of both stillness and motion. To have the ability to be still and observe, and to be able to move swiftly when an opening arises. We must balance performance of movements with stance training and sitting meditation. We must not develop a healthy body at the expense of an active mind. Yin begins when Yang is at its height. The Yin Yang symbol perfectly illustrates the harmony and balance of all things.