by Nancy Nashed

Created on: January 30, 2009

How are Yin and Yang used in Feng Shui?

Feng Shui is based on two main philosophies. The first, most basic is the theory of Yin and Yang. The second, which stems directly from yin and yang, is the five elements. Here we will examine the most basic tool in Feng Shui, yin and yang which is essentially the Feng Shui term for relativity. Yin yang in Feng Shui illustrates the basic cycle of life as found in nature. It also offers a guideline for understanding the balancing of energies, the two opposing forces that inevitably change into each other- Yin and Yang.

When applying Feng Shui techniques you will want to evaluate what the needs of a particular space is, who will be occupying the space and so forth. A study, for instance needs to be a healthy balance of yin and yang while a bedroom predominantly calls for a more yin or cocoon like environment. Let's assume a deeper understanding of Yin and Yang before we begin to apply it to a space.

The Yin Yang Symbol Masculine and Feminine, Energizing and Calming

This symbol, signifying the wholeness of our universe, presents a sensation of perpetual clockwise spiraling. At the top or peak, the full, white shape of Yang represents daytime, the summer, and the Sun's energy at its fullest. Yang is an active force that correlates with vibrant warm colors and active elements such as wood, water, and fire. At the bottom the still quiet energy of Yin is signified by the black shape. Yin energy is one of passivity, femininity and darkness and is associated with cool darker colors and the elements of earth and metal. Yin embodies nighttime, the winter, or the darker side. Within these forces exists the momentum for all of creation. Yin, or night, constantly changes into Yang, while Yang in turn meets up with Yin in an unending cycle of night and day. In all hardness there exists the potential for a break down, a release, or a melting point- thus it is Yang's destiny to become Yin and vice versa. This is illustrated by 2 small dots in the center of the larger opposite color. All of our environment can be perpetually created from these two sources alone.

Yin and Yang and Physics

Naturalists who developed Feng Shui were the theoretical physicists of the old world. From a physical standpoint, all matter, energy, time and space come from an original source, or a singularity which can be observed in its separate parts. Yin and Yang are the very basic expressions of this singularity. At a universal level, we can say that everything in this

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