yin-yang

24 7.3

Two opposite forces that are connected and balance each other

noun
/jɪn jæŋ/

: yin-yang

On it was the split-circle swirl with the two dots—the yin-yang symbol.
yin-yang symbol
yin-yang principles

I didn't respect the yin Yang of marriage.

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Examples

Dialectics is not foreign to the Chinese people; the Yin-Yang principles and five elements are the most salient examples.

Academic text (1996)
In traditional Chinese philosophy, yin-yang represents how contrasting forces, like light and dark, are interconnected.
Of course, Lee understands the Yin-Yang principles and five elements.

Academic text (1996)
It sort of reminds me of the Yin-Yang concept.

Academic text (2001)
And so the husband and the wife come together as this yin Yang dual that together is truly better than either of them are individually.
We know that one of the main principles of feng shui is the yin-yang principle.

Blog text (2)
The concept of yin-yang emphasizes how opposites can exist in harmony and balance throughout nature.
Understanding yin-yang can help one appreciate the balance between opposing forces in life.

Synonyms

polarity

vsyin-yang

6 7.0

Two opposite ideas or feelings, for example hope and despair

emphasises that opposites are interconnected and create each other

Surface Forms

yin-yang singular

yin-yangs plural

Morphology

yin-yang = yin + yang (semi-transparent) = yin + yang

The compound directly combines the two complementary principles 'yin' and 'yang', but the full philosophical meaning depends on cultural knowledge beyond simple word-combination rules.

Etymology

Yin-yang comes from Chinese words yin 'dark' and yang 'light'. So it shows how opposite things, like dark and light, are connected and need each other, which is why yin-yang means a balance between opposite forces.