Yin and Yang, and the Five Elements

Yin and Yang, and the Five Elements

 

Dialogue 1
A: What is yin and yang?
B: In Eastern philosophy, yin and yang are two opposing cosmic forces into which creative energy divides. The fusion of yin and yang in physical matter brings the phenomenal world into being. Everything has both yin and yang aspects. For instance shadow cannot exist without light.

A: Would you mind explaining about the major characteristics of yin and yang?
B: There are four major characteristics of yin and yang. Well first, yin and yang directly oppose each other while restraining each other. Second, they complement and support each other while becoming the source of each other. Third, yin and yang always co-exist. And lastly, these two forces have a tendency to flow and change with time. A simple example is thinking about how the day gradually flows into night.

Dialogue 2
A: The Five Elements are used to profoundly understand all things whether it is the great cycle of the grand nature or the organs inside your body.
B: What are the Five Elements?

A: The Five Elements are basically five different qi that make up our world. We can see these five distinctively different qi in the four seasons of a yearly cycle. Wood element is strongest during spring season; Fire is strongest during Summer; Metal is the qi representing Autumn; and Winter is the time when Water qi flourishes.
B: But that’s only four!

A: Yes! We have another element as the last piece of the puzzle. It's the Earth element, which regulates and helps the other four elements change and transform.
B: Cool. Do you have a book about these stuff I can borrow?