In
Chinese philosophy,
yin and yang (also
yin-yang or
yin yang,
yinyáng "dark—bright") describes how opposite or contrary forces are actually complementary,
interconnected, and interdependent in the natural world, and how they give rise to each other as they interrelate to one another. Many tangible
dualities (such as
light and dark, fire and water, expanding and contracting) are thought of as physical manifestations of the duality symbolized by yin and yang. This duality lies at the origins of many branches of classical
Chinese science and philosophy, as well as being a primary guideline of
traditional Chinese medicine, and a central principle of different forms of
Chinese martial arts and exercise, such as
baguazhang,
taijiquan (t'ai chi), and
qigong (Chi Kung), as well as appearing in the pages of the
I Ching.