yin

/jɪn/

/jɪn/

Other forms: yins

Yin is the feminine, negative principle in Chinese philosophy. It’s associated with Earth and passivity.

Have you ever heard someone talk about balancing their yin and yang? Those are two contrasting aspects of Chinese philosophy. While yang is male, yin is female. Yin and yang both exist in everyone, which is why balancing them is considered important. Besides being associated with femaleness, yin also involves Earth, darkness, passiveness, and cold. Yin and yang are usually discussed together. The symbol of yin and yang is black and white, representing how the two principles complement each other.

Definitions of yin

1. noun

   the dark, negative feminine principle in Chinese dualistic cosmology
   “the interaction of yin and yang maintains the harmony of the universe”

   antonyms:

   yang

   the bright positive masculine principle in Chinese dualistic cosmology

   type of:

   principle, rule, tenet

   a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct