In Chinese philosophy, Taoism, in general, the concept of yin yang is often used to describe how polar or seemingly contrary forces are actually interconnected and interdependent in this world of ours. As lively, young teenagers, knowing nothing about Taoism but only familiar with the terms Ying Yang (Yin Yang) we would use the terms in unusual ways, such as: “Get your ying yang out of my face,” “you dumb ying yang,” “Don’t try ying-yanging me.” Of course none of those silly uses of the term had anything to do with the meaning of the terms nor the philosophy behind the terms. Did we care at the time? I think not! I believe the reason the words caught on for us is because they were ‘sing songy’ or catchy words. They essentially came to mean whatever we wanted them to mean, based on what we were doing or talking about.
“Yin yang,” as complementary opposites, interact within a greater whole, as part of a dynamic system. Everything has both yin and yang aspects, but one may manifest more strongly in particular objects, and they may ebb or flow over time. There is a perception (especially in the West) that yin and yang correspond to good and evil. However, Taoist philosophy generally discounts good/bad distinctions and other dichotomous moral judgments in preference to the idea of balance. The concept of yin and yang is often symbolized by various forms of the Taijitu symbol, for which it is probably best known in western cultures. At its heart are the two poles of existence, which are opposite but complementary. The light, white Yang moving up blends into the dark, black Yin moving down.”
Yin and Yang are dependent but opposing forces that flow in a natural cycle, always seeking balance. The Taijitu symbol reaches into family and gender relations as well. Yin is female and yang is male. They fit together as two parts of a whole. I love that particu- lar analogy as the Lord has also stated, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24) “Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 11:11) It is very clear in the scriptures that the man and the woman were designed to be together and were created to be complementary to one another. They together provide balance in a family relationship. They are the beginning of the family and as children are added the family becomes a treasure of love and support with the parents at the head.
It is also interesting to consider how this philosophy fits into the Gospel concept of opposition, “For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things….if it were not so righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor in-corruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility. (2 Nephi 2:11)
Even though, as stated above, Taoist philosophy generally dis- counts good/bad distinctions and other dichotomous moral judgments, in preference to the idea of balance, the gospel concept incorporates all of the various kinds of opposition described above, including good and evil. How can one, according to the great Plan of the Father, be tried and tested in a world where evil does not exist? The power of choice is the basis of our agency, and in the end, the scale of good choices must outweigh the bad. Everyone from time to time will choose evil. There was only one (Christ) who was perfect; all others have done evil deed(s). No one, other than Him, is perfectly good, and no one, likewise, is perfectly evil. The Yin and Yang concept of balance is in play throughout the population of the world. Evil may manifest more strongly in particular places and among particular societies of people and may ebb and flow over generations. There are populations where beliefs and practices are ‘dark ages evil’ or unenlightened. Likewise there are populations that are so enlightened and laced with mutual respect that were it not for a few threads of darkness, they would be ready to be translated.
The symbolic Taijitu doesn’t fit well as a symbol for Christianity with respect to the opposites of good and evil, as it appears that they are in bed together. Though we recognize that a balance in most things in the world keeps it spinning on its axis, when it comes to agency, choices we must make between good and evil. In the end, there can be no balance. At that time, the good must significantly outweigh the bad. May God give us the strength, as individuals, to tip the scale with a preponderance of good deeds and choices.