The interplay between the Yin and the Yang aspects of everything that is governs all universal phenomena, whilst Qi gives it form by way of condensing to different degrees.
Some examples of the complementing relative polarity between Yin and Yang are:
|
Yin
|
Yang |
| Contraction |
Expansion |
| Descent |
Ascent |
| Cold |
Hot |
| Moon |
Sun |
| Night |
Day |
| Darkness |
Light |
| Weight |
Lightness |
| Female |
Male |
| Damp/wet |
Dry |
| Viscous/thick |
Fluid |
| Stagnation |
Movement |
| Slow |
Fast |
| Matter |
Ether |
| Form/shape |
Function |
| Death |
Life/birth |
| Earth |
Heaven/sky |
| Old age |
Infancy |
| Rest |
Activity |
| Water |
Fire |
| Internal |
External |
| Blood |
Qi (Vital Energy) |
| Feet |
Head |
| Internal organs |
Meridians |
| Chronic pain |
Acute pain |
The organism’s Vital Energy, or Qi, in quality of energy and information that cannot be perceived through the five senses, is considered Yang, whilst the matter that forms its structure is considered Yin. Consequentially, Qi itself is considered Yang, being ethereal, whilst its material equivalent, the blood, is considered Yin. Psychological and cognitive activity is considered Yang relatively to the metabolic activity and can in itself be further distinguished in ‘more Yin’ and ‘more Yang’ aspects, thus the neuro-motor activity is Yin relatively to the the neuro-sensorial activity. ‘Zhuo’, dense substances, are considered Yin relatively to ‘Qing’, fluid substances.
|
Taoist Dualities of
hormones and neurotransmitters |
| YinSedating or nurturing neurochemicals |
YangArousing neurochemicals |
| Endorphin |
Adrenaline |
| Melatonin |
Cortisol |
| Parathormone |
Thyroxin |
| Oestrogen and Progesterone |
Testosterone |
| GABA |
Glutamate |
| Acetylcholine |
Norepinephrine |
| Serotonin |
Dopamine |
The traditional concept, in the TCM context, of the role of Yin and Yang in metabolism, can be interpreted with modern terms, as:
|
Yin
|
Yang |
| Nutrition (absorption/integration) |
Digestion (movement/evacuation) |
| Anabolism |
Catabolism |
*TCM= Traditional Chinese Medicine.