The Yin and Yang symbol has become one of pop - culture's most misused icons. This symbol stands for a profound and fundamental Taoist concept which is often very poorly understood. It is a concept which encompasses everything from the large scale to the small. It is a fundamental law of the universe. It simply is the way things are. In order to truly grasp and practice Kung Fu, a student must learn to execute every movement and thought according to this concept.

The symbol starts out with a simple, all-encompassing, circle. This empty circle represents the empty limit of the ultimate no - thing. This is an absolute found in every eastern philosophy. In Buddhism, the state of ultimate attainment is called, the Void. To the western mind "the empty limit" has no immediate value. It is empty and therefore can not be of any use. This is an idea which must be thrown out by the martial artist for several reasons. The student must prepare himself to learn by emptying his mind fully so that he can fully absorb the lessons being taught. Also, the martial artist must enter a conflict with no thought, this way he is able to comprehend and react to the actions of his adversary without hesitation. The ability to achieve total emptiness is among the most difficult goals there is to reach. It is also one of the most important to the martial artist.

Within the empty circle, we depict two opposing forces. Each side is perfectly equal in size and form, but completely opposite and complementary to each other. These forces could represent day (Yang), and night (Yin). Each side rolls into the other. This is to describe the cyclic nature of all things. Day constantly turns to night and then back to day. This pattern is universal and unending. All things can be said to be of either Yin quality or Yang quality. When they remain in balance, there is harmony. For this reason the Kung Fu practitioner must learn to maintain balance on all levels.

The final element is the small spot within each opposing force. This represents the fact that nothing can ever be entirely Yin or entirely Yang. Each force always contains the potential for it's opposite. As each force rotates through it's cycle, it is constantly giving birth to and becoming it's opposite. This is also true in the martial arts. When a student is blocking his attacker's punch. The concepts of attack and defense correspond with Yang and Yin, therefore any defense must contain the potential of becoming an attack. By the same token, a punch must be equally capable of becoming a block. It is important to understand that each side is not only opposite, but complementary. You cannot have Yin without Yang and vice versa. Some people think that they are two endlessly intermingled forces. Yin compliments and becomes Yang as Yang compliments and becomes Yin.

Written By Sifu Rino Côté