Today I’m going to write about the principles of Yin and Yang. These principles arise from the basic ideas that are attributed to Yin and Yang in Chinese philosophy and Chinese medicine.

There are 5 Principles of Yin and Yang:

1. Everything has a Yin and Yang Aspect.

Everything has its opposite–although this is never absolute, only comparative. No one thing is completely yin or completely yang. Each contains the seed of its opposite. Yin and yang qualities exist in relation to one another. Time can be divided into night and day. Temperature can be divided into cold and hot.

2. Yin and Yang are interdependent.

One cannot exist without the other. For example, day cannot exist without night.

3. Any Yin and Yang Aspect can be further subdivided into Yin and Yang.

Any Yin or Yang aspect can be further subdivided into Yin and Yang. For example, temperature can be seen as either hot or cold. However, hot can be further divided into warm (Yin) or burning (Yang). Cold into can be divided into cool(Yang) or icy cold (Yin).

4. Yin and Yang consume and support each other.

Yin and Yang are usually held in balance. As one increases, the other decreases. However, imbalances can occur. There are four possible imbalances:

Excess yin,

Excess yang,

Yin deficiency,

Yang deficiency.

Harmony means that the proportions of Yin and Yang are relatively balanced.Disharmony means that the proportions are unequal and there is imbalance

5. Yin and Yang can transform into one another.

At a particular stage, Yin can transform into Yang and vice versa. For example, night changes into day; warmth cools; life changes to death.

 

These principles are fundamental to Chinese medicine and acupuncture. We need to understand how Yin and Yang behaves in order to understand their affect on the human body.

Yin and Yang theory is one tool used to make a diagnosis on a pattern of disharmony in relation to an ill patient within an acupuncture clinic.

I will be writing a little more on Yin and Yang in my next article.

Until then, take care,

Clare.

For more information on acupuncture in Dublin, Ireland see www.theacuzone.com