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You’ve probably heard the terms yin and
yang before, and have been taught to think of them simply as opposites.
While it’s true, for example, that yin represents decay and yang
represents growth, the two are best thought of as complementary
energies. Just as too much decay in a garden leads to a sterile
environment, too much growth can lead to an out-of-control wilderness.
Thus, yin and yang are most beneficial when they are balancing each
other. At any given moment, yin might dominate yang in a particular
situation, but such domination is a temporary thing. The two forces are
a constant, cyclical balancing act for each other. What’s most
important is not the way they contrast, but the chi that’s born of
their interaction.
Yang energy is associated with everything bright, upward, male,
and penetrating. It’s the energy associated with heaven and with life.
Yang colours are dazzling: oranges, yellows and reds. Yang shapes are
straight, pointy and vertical.
Feng shui teaches us to balance yang by adding yin. Any room that
leaves us feeling jangled or over stimulated will benefit from adding
soothing yin elements: deep, muted colours (especially blue and black),
soft pillows and fabrics, flowing patterns. When you’re feeling
stressed, perform a little personal feng shui on yourself by playing
soft, soothing yin music; breathing slowly and deeply; and meditating.
Yin energy is associated with all things quiet, feminine, still
and receptive: the earth, water, winter, night and death. In ancient
times, an entire branch of feng shui was devoted to yin. Because yin
was associated with death, the dangerous yin from graveyards,
hospitals, military installations and similar areas had to be deflected
and contained for the safety of those who lived nearby. But yin is also
a vital, life-nourishing force: it’s the primary energy of mothers and
peacemakers.
Feng shui shows us how to liven up an overly yin environment with a
dash of fiery yang: add candles to brighten up a room or dark corner:
decorate with touches of vibrant colour and active patterns. If you
feel depressed on a gloomy day, mediate that extra yin by turning on
more lights, dancing to upbeat music, or doing something fun and silly.
Remember that what’s important in feng shui is to balance the yin and
yang of any given area. Yang without enough yin becomes jarring
(picture a living room chock-full of nothing but harsh-angled, modern
furniture and shiny, glaring colours); yin without enough yang becomes
depressing (imagine a dark, soft, overly yin bedroom – a great place to
sleep, maybe, but if the flame has gone out of your sex life, and
overdose of yin may be the cause!).
If a room in your home is too yang or too yin for its function, you can
adjust the colour, light and décor to bring in more of the missing
element and tone down the dominant element, Add soothing yin to a room,
for instance, with soft pillows and pastels; bring a touch of active
yang by adding brightly coloured artwork and accents.
Neither yin nor yang is better than the other; neither is dominant.
They can only exist in relationship to each other, and as the classic
Taoist symbol represents, even in the heart of yang there’s a splash of
yin and vice versa.
Yin And Yang Characteristics
|
YANG |
YIN |
| Male |
Female |
| Penetrating |
Receptive |
| Bright |
Dark |
| Active |
Quiet |
| Aggravating |
Depressing |
| Lively |
Subdued |
| Summer |
Winter |
| Growth |
Decay |
| Heavenly |
Earthly |
Yin And Yang Rooms
|
MOSTLY YANG |
MOSTLY YIN |
| Living rooms |
Bedrooms |
| Recreation rooms |
Bathrooms |
| Kitchens |
Reading rooms |
| Dining rooms |
Storage rooms |
What Makes A Room More Yang Or Yin?
|
MORE YANG |
MORE YIN |
| Bright, sharp
colours |
Dark, muted colours |
| Bright, focused
light |
Soft, muted light |
| Stimulating, shiny
texture |
Soft, smooth
textures |
| Straight lines |
Curving lines |
| Wide open spaces |
Small, private
niches |
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