Yin And Yang Definition & Meaning

American

British

Cultural

Usage

Etymology

Examples

yin and yang American [yin uhn yang] / ˈyɪn ən ˈyæŋ /

noun

(used with a singular or plural verb)

1. (in Chinese philosophy and religion) two principles, one negative, dark, and feminine yin, and one positive, bright, and masculine yang, whose interaction influences the destinies of creatures and things.

2. the yin and yang, the dual and contrasting aspects or principles of a particular field of activity, thought, etc..

   The senator spoke at length about the yin and yang of job cuts and job creation.

   Experiences and equipment are the yin and yang of road tripping.

adjective

1. relating to or based on the two opposing principles in Chinese philosophy and religion, one negative, dark, and feminine (yin), and one positive, bright, and masculine (yang).

   In the classical Chinese conception of the cosmos, physical entities are simply instantiations of yin and yang energy.

   She practices traditional yin and yang healing.

2. being, involving, or encompassing opposite or contrasting elements.

   This ornament captures yin and yang beauty in shadows formed by light.

   Yin and yang relationships, like the one between my practical mother and bohemian father, often do well.

Yin and Yang British / jɪn /

noun

1. two complementary principles of Chinese philosophy: Yin is negative, dark, and feminine, Yang positive, bright, and masculine. Their interaction is thought to maintain the harmony of the universe and to influence everything within it

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 yin and yang Cultural

1. Two forces in the universe, according to a Chinese theory: yin is the passive, negative force, and yang the active, positive force. According to this theory, wise people will detect these forces in the seasons, in their food, and so on, and will regulate their lives accordingly.

Usage

What does yin and yang mean? There's light and dark, day and night, good and evil, yin and yang.Yin and yang or yin-yang refers to a concept originating in ancient Chinese philosophy where opposite forces are seen as interconnected and counterbalancing.It is commonly represented by the yin-yang symbol, a circle made up of black and white swirls, each containing a spot of the other.

Etymology

Origin of yin and yang

First recorded in 1930–35; from Chinese yīn-yáng

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“It’s a little yin and yang. Maybe we need a little bit of both.”

From Los Angeles Times

Being supportive and demanding are a yin and yang—children need both from their parents to succeed.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Like yin and yang,” said Mason, who also worked with both at Notre Dame.

From Los Angeles Times

Courtney Bonifacini and Gary Sewell of GardZen weren’t planning to install a yin and yang feature in the Zen Garden, but after the devastating loss of both their homes in the Eaton fire, they felt it was appropriate.

From Los Angeles Times

There is a yin and yang to that.

From Salon

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.