The symbol of the Tao, a symbol of two interlocking paisleys, is one of the most prominent symbols in Chinese metaphysics. It is often referred to be the Tai Chi symbol, or the symbol of the Yin-Yang. The Tao is represented by the outer circle, which shows us the way to harmony.
The dark paisley represents the yin, while the white paisley represents the yang. Note that there is a white dot on the dark paisley and a dark dot on the white paisley to remind us that nobody is purely yin or purely yang. Together, the 2 paisleys form the Tao. They are equal in strength and importance. Their combination is important to form a harmonious life.
Yin is said to represent the feminine principle, which is dark, tranquil, soft, flowing, and containing. The yang, meanwhile, represents the masculine principle. It is light, strong, aggressive, and focused. Everything in this world is said to be a combination of both properties. In the real world, it is not strictly black or white. It's always some shade of gray.
Interestingly, the Chinese divination system of the I Ching is actually used to interpret and predict life changes brought about the perennial movements of the yin and the yang. Pairing the combinations of the two energies will give you the four primary symbols, while an extra line from either the yin or the yang will give you the eight trigrams.
They are all interconnected, aren't they? Eastern philosophy really tells us that the world is an interconnected set of entities that, once combined, form into something that is harmonious and coherent. There may be some vibrations, but everything will eventually stabilize and return to place. Western philsophy seems to be very different from this, especially in some cultures where people think that the world is in an eternal chaos.
