Self Healing Australia
Macrobiotics

Yin & Yang


The Theory of the Five Elements is thought to have originated in India and is over 4,000 years old.

It has its roots in the eternal interplay between Yin and Yang - the two complementary opposities symbolised by:

yinyang image

Nothing is ever absolutely Yin or Yang that is why there is a white dot (yang) within the Yin and a black dot (yin) within the Yang.

Some examples of the nature of Yin and Yang or universal relativity include:

Yin _________________Yang

  • centrifugal
  • expansion
  • diffusion
  • slower
  • lighter
  • colder
  • darker
  • wetter
  • larger
  • longer
  • softer
  • more feminine
  • more hollow
  • more spacial
  • more spiritual
  • more universal

  • centripetal
  • contraction
  • fusion
  • faster
  • heavier
  • hotter
  • brighter
  • drier
  • smaller
  • shorter
  • harder
  • more masculine
  • more compact
  • more linear
  • more material
  • more specific


The interplay of Yin and Yang is described by the following principles referred to as One Infinity:

  1. One Infinity manifests itself into the two universal tendencies of Yin and Yang, the antagonistic and complementary poles of endless change.
  2. Yin and Yang are arising continuously out of the ceaseless, eternal movement of One Infinite Universe.
  3. Yin appears as centrifugality; Yang appears as centripetality. The activities of Yin and Yang together create energy and all phenomena.
  4. Yin attracts Yang. Yang attracts Yin.
  5. Yin repels Yin. Yang repels Yang.
  6. Yin and Yang combine in an infinite variety of proportion, creating an infinite variety of phenomena. The strength of attraction or repulsion always represents the degree of difference or similarity.
  7. All phenomena are relative and ephemeral, constantly changing in their direction towards more Yin or more Yang.
  8. Nothing is solely Yin; nothing is absolutely Yang. Everything is created by both tendencies together.
  9. There is no neutrality; either Yin or Yang is always dominating.
  10. Great Yin attracts small Yin. Great Yang attracts small Yang.
  11. Yin at the extreme point always changes into Yang. Yang at the extreme point always changes into Yin.
  12. Yang always focuses in towards the centre. Yin always diffuses out towards the periphery.

"Each principle is another aspect of the one same theme; that all separations, differences and opposites are still one. The terms Yin and Yang are simple reference points to describe the extremes of the whole; separate yet united, different yet constantly changing into its opposite. Agreement within paradox." (Michio Kushi).

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