Ying and Yang

A Taoist belief that the universe is make up of pairs of opposing forces, like male and female, positive and negative. One's task is to harmonise these forces, both within one's body and in the rest of the universe.

Heaven was created by the concentration of Yang, the force of light; earth was created by the concentration of Yin, the forces of darkness. Yang stands for peace and serenity; Yin stands for confusion and turmoil. Yang stands for destruction; Yin stands for conservation. Yang brings about disintegration; Yin gives shape to things.