I was looking for something deeper like the Golden Ratio, but alas it has nothing to do with this symbol.
Interesting tidbit of information:
"
The yin/yang aspects of some familiar qualities. Note that in Macrobiotics philosophy, which originated in Japan, the yin/yang categorizations of some qualities are reversed from those of Chinese philosophy."
https://www.chuckrowtaichi.com/AboutYinYang.html
"Macrobiotic philosophy relies on the concept of
reversals, where an extreme of one force (yin or yang) eventually transforms into its opposite, ensuring that nothing remains in a state of absolute polarity. This principle is central to the
Seven Universal Principles, specifically the rule that
"the bigger the front, the bigger the back," meaning that a significant shift in one direction (the front) inevitably creates an equal and opposite reaction (the back) to restore balance.
In the context of the
yin-yang duality, this means that excessive expansion (yin) leads to a compensatory contraction (yang), and excessive contraction (yang) leads to expansion (yin). For example, the search context notes that eating foods that are extremely yang (like red meat) can create a craving for extremely yin substances (like sugar or alcohol) as the body attempts to self-correct and regain equilibrium. This dynamic view suggests that
change is constant, and health is maintained by avoiding extremes and embracing the natural flow where opposites attract and transform into one another.
Key aspects of these reversals include:
- Cosmic Balance: The universe is viewed as a continuous flow where opposing forces like expansion (yin) and contraction (yang) interact to create all phenomena, with no state being permanent or absolute.
- Physiological Reaction: The human body instinctively seeks to balance internal forces, often manifesting cravings or physical symptoms when dietary or lifestyle choices lean too heavily toward one pole.
- Philosophical Application: This theory extends beyond food to all aspects of life, suggesting that social, political, and personal extremes will naturally generate their counter-forces to restore harmony.
The concept is further illustrated by the
yin-yang symbol, which depicts a white section with a black eye and a black section with a white eye, signifying that each force contains the seed of its opposite and that total softness or hardness does not exist in isolation."
"Yin and Yang are terms used since the dawn of oriental philosophy, more than 4000 years ago.
Yin and Yang are relative, as expressed in this small Taoist poem:
“For the frogs of the temple pond
The stems of the lotus are tall.
For the gods of Mount Everest
An elephant is small. “
https://macrobioteca.com/en/macrobiotics...mations-i/
Just rabbit hole diving, as usual.
