Yin and Yang is a fundamental concept in Chinese philosophy that has been around for thousands of years.
It is a way of understanding the world and the nature of things as they exist in a state of dynamic balance.
Yin and Yang are two complementary, yet opposing, forces that are present in everything in the universe.
The Theory of Yin and Yang
According to the theory of Yin and Yang, everything in the universe can be categorized as either Yin or Yang, and nothing can exist without its opposite. Yin represents the feminine, dark, passive, and receptive aspects of the universe, while Yang represents the masculine, bright, active, and assertive aspects.
The two forces are not fixed entities, but rather are constantly changing and phasing into one another.
The relationship between Yin and Yang is not one of opposition, but rather one of harmony and balance.
When Yin and Yang are in balance, they create a state of harmony and health, while an imbalance between the two can lead to disharmony and disease.
The concept of Yin and Yang has had a profound influence on many aspects of Chinese culture, from martial arts, to art, literature, and even tea.
Yin and Yang + Tea
In Chinese culture, tea is often associated with the concept of Yin and Yang.
Tea is believed to possess both Yin and Yang qualities, which would, in theory, make it an excellent tool for balancing the two opposing forces within the body. These attributes are also thought to somewhat correspond with the oxidation level of the tea.
White and green teas, which are relatively unoxidized from a processing point of view, are often considered to be more feminine in nature, and leaning towards Yin.
Whereas black teas, which are almost fully oxidized from a processing point of view, are often considered to be more masculine in nature, and leaning more towards Yang.
Oolong teas, which are semi-oxidized from a processing point of view, are thought to be in-between and are often considered to be balancing in nature.