yin and yang

[ yin uhn yang ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, (used with a singular or plural verb)

(in Chinese philosophy and religion) two principles, one negative, dark, and feminine yin, and one positive, bright, and masculine yang, whose interaction influences the destinies of creatures and things.
the yin and yang, the dual and contrasting aspects or principles of a particular field of activity, thought, etc.:
The senator spoke at length about the yin and yang of job cuts and job creation.
Experiences and equipment are the yin and yang of road tripping.

relating to or based on the two opposing principles in Chinese philosophy and religion, one negative, dark, and feminine (yin), and one positive, bright, and masculine (yang):
In the classical Chinese conception of the cosmos, physical entities are simply instantiations of yin and yang energy.
She practices traditional yin and yang healing.
being, involving, or encompassing opposite or contrasting elements:
This ornament captures yin and yang beauty in shadows formed by light.
Yin and yang relationships, like the one between my practical mother and bohemian father, often do well.

Yin and Yang

/ jɪn /

two complementary principles of Chinese philosophy: Yin is negative, dark, and feminine, Yang positive, bright, and masculine. Their interaction is thought to maintain the harmony of the universe and to influence everything within it

yin and yang

Two forces in the universe, according to a Chinese theory: yin is the passive, negative force, and yang the active, positive force. According to this theory, wise people will detect these forces in the seasons, in their food, and so on, and will regulate their lives accordingly.

First recorded in 1930–35; from Chinese yīn-yáng

from Chinese (Peking) yin dark + yang bright

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