The yin yang symbol itself portrays that interrelatedness. There can be no positive without a negative, no open without closed, no light without shadow. The yin yang symbol represents the interconnectedness of the world, particularly the natural world. Each swirl has a dot of the opposite color in it. There are many variants of the symbol, but the most common is a circle composed of two interlocking swirls/teardrops, one black and one white. It's a familiar symbol you've likely seen many times on jewelry, clothes, notebooks, etc.

The yin yang symbol is often referred to as 'taijitu' in China. You'll see that, for each one, yin and yang represent a pair of opposites, such as black and white, light and shadow, north and south, etc. In the chart below are some of the characteristics each represents. It's the same idea behind quotes like, 'there can be no light without darkness.' Yin (the black segment) and yang (the white segment) each represent various qualities. Yin and yang (or 陰 and 陽 in traditional Chinese characters) represent duality, or the idea that two opposite characteristics can actually exist in harmony and complement each other. How yin yang principles have been used by everybody from politicians to interior decorators to martial artists.A brief history of yin and yang (this symbol has been around much longer than you think!).What the yin yang symbol means and why it looks the way it does.You've seen the symbol, but what does yin yang mean? Not to mention, which is yin and which is yang? Yin and yang principles have a long and fascinating history behind them, and we've compiled all the most interesting and important bits in this article.

History of yin yang philosophy