The A Brief Overview of Yin and Yang

In Chinese Medicine we use the concept of subtle, invisible energies that are a representation of a higher power - a life force type of energies. This conception uses the color black for yin, or female-like energies, and white for yang or male-like energies. The symbol of these male-and-female-like subtle energies is known as the Tai Ji.

The Tai Ji can also be symbolized as two lines; a broken line for yin and a full line for yang. 

Next, another yin or yang line is added on top of the yin or yang line to help us differentiate the "clarity"  of the energy that is being presented in a person, event, season, or time. This gives us four additional possible images and what is known as Greater Yin, Lesser Yang, Lesser Yin, and Greater Yang.  

If we add a third line to these four images, this is now called the bagua. The bagua is the representation of the natural elements; heaven, earth, thunder, water, mountain, wind (or wood), fire, and lake. 

The bagua is a tool we can use in Qigong, Martial Arts, Feng Shui, iChing, and other modalities to help us understand and use life force energy. It provides a wonderful framework to help us conceptualize how subtle energy moves, and then also helps us be aware and understand how this subtle energy can impact our lives and our health. 

With these 8 trigrams, we have a way to map, identify, and better symbolize the amount of yin or yang energy at certain points in time. We can use this information for our greater awareness and help us understand the movement and flow of life force energy and its impact.