The traditional characters yin and yang indicate that originally yin and yang were used for the north and south sides of a hill or mountain, respectively. The pair of terms used in the “Book of Songs” (11th to 6th century B.C.) did not yet indicate a philosophical meaning, but described light and shadow in nature. The philosophical concept of yin and yang does not take concrete form until about 400 BC.
Yin Yang Symbol or Taijitu (太極圖)
The most famous pictorial representation of yin and yang, however, is the so-called diagram of Taiji, which, however, was only created in the 11th century. n. Chr. has originated. This circular diagram with the two fish-like white and black halves symbolizes the relationship of yin and yang in a simple yet very complex way.
