Yin and Yang        Yin and Yang are opposite and complementary forces in Chinese thought, from Chinese words meaning “shaded�?and “sunny". Chinese philosophy has defined the concept of yin and yang within an environmental context, one that recognizes the duality found in nature. Everything dark, moist, receptive, earthy, and female became the Yin, whereas that which was dry, active, heavenly, and male became associated with Yang. These forces were believed to produce everything in the universe by combing in various degrees. For instance, there is always and element of yin within yang as there is yang found within yin, together the classic symbol is a circle divided into light and dark, with a dot of each colour on alternate sides. This interaction indicates that one can not exist without the other, and that the nature of one lies within the the other. Chinese philosophers stress the importance of 'balance' and how it maintains harmony within the world. It was often noted that strife, disaster, and disease were rooted in an imbalance of yin and yang.      The essentials of the yin-yang school are as follows: the universe is run by a single principle, the Tao, or Great Ultimate. This principle is divided into two opposite principles, or two principles which oppose one another in their actions, yin and yang.  All of the opposites found in the universe can be reduced to its countering force. The production of yin from yang and yang from yin occurs cyclically and constantly, so that no one principle continually dominates the other or determines the other. All opposites that one experiences—health and sickness, wealth and poverty, power and submission—can be explained in reference to the temporary dominance of one principle over the other. Since no one principle dominates eternally, that means that all conditions are subject to change into their opposites.        This cyclical nature of yin and yang, the opposing forces of change in the universe, mean several things. First, that all phenomena change into their opposites in an eternal cycle of reversal. Second, since the one principle produces the other, all phenomena have within them the seeds of their opposite state, that is, sickness has the seeds of health, health contains the seeds of sickness, wealth contains the seeds of poverty, etc. Third, even though an opposite may not be seen to be present, since one principle produces the other, no phenomenon is completely devoid of its opposite state. One is never really healthy since health contains the principle of its opposite, sickness. This is called "presence in absence"  which is the motivating force of yin and yang.             The following are the links will take you further into the concept of Yin Yang ...   ~ Enter and Explore ~     http://www.chinesefortunecalendar.com/yinyang.htm  (Where the yin yang symbol came from and why)  http://www.eastern-medicines.com  (Yin Yang within health and welllness ) http://www.taoistarts.net/main.html#yin   (excellent information)     Harmonizing Yin & Yang: The Dragon-Tiger Classic  -- by Eva Wong