In Chinese philosophy, yin and yang represent opposite but complementary forces that make up the universe. Yin is associated with darkness, wetness, cold, passivity, and femininity, while yang is associated with light, dryness, heat, activity, and masculinity. So when considering the properties of yin and yang, yang is considered the dry force while yin is the wet force.
What is yang?
Yang refers to the bright, hot, active, upward, evolving force in nature. It corresponds with brightness, heat, the sun, masculinity, and positivity. Yang energies promote action, movement, and growth.
Some key characteristics of yang include:
- Lightness
- Warmth
- Dryness
- Activity
- Outward movement
- Upward movement
- Masculinity
- Positivity
- Fire
- The sun
Yang is associated with vitality, strength, and creativity. In the body, yang energies flow through the back, exterior, and upper half. Yang organs include the stomach, small intestine, bladder, and gallbladder.
What is yin?
Yin refers to the dark, cold, passive, contracting, descending force in nature. It corresponds with darkness, coldness, the moon, femininity, and negativity. Yin energies promote nurturing, receptive qualities.
Some key characteristics of yin include:
- Darkness
- Coldness
- Wetness
- Passivity
- Contraction
- Inward movement
- Downward movement
- Femininity
- Negativity
- Water
- The moon
Yin is associated with structure, substance, and peacefulness. In the body, yin energies flow through the front, interior, and lower half. Yin organs include the heart, liver, kidneys, spleen, and lungs.
Why is yang dry and yin wet?
The dryness of yang and wetness of yin have to do with their associated elements and energetic properties.
Yang is linked to the fire element, which has a drying effect. Fire evaporates moisture, extracting it from the environment. The energetic qualities of yang, being active, outward, and upward moving, also contribute to its dryness.
Yin is linked to the water element, which is fluid and humid. The energetic qualities of yin, being passive, inward, and downward moving, promote the accumulation of moisture and fluids.
Some key reasons why yang is considered dry and yin is considered wet include:
- Yang is associated with fire, which dries things out through heating and evaporation.
- Yin is associated with water, which is fluid, humid, and moistening.
- The active, energetic movement of yang has a drying effect.
- The passive, inward movement of yin results in fluid accumulation.
- Yang’s upward and outward qualities spread outward like fire rising and radiating heat.
- Yin’s downward quality causes moisture to collect inward.
- Masculine energy was seen as dry while feminine energy was seen as fluid.
The dryness of the sun vs. the wetness of the moon reflect yang vs. yin respectively.
So in summary, the elemental associations, energetic movement, and other linked symbols all contribute to yang having a hot, drying effect, while yin has a cool, wetting effect.
Examples of yang being dry
Here are some examples that demonstrate the dryness of yang:
- The sun drying out the earth through its heat and light.
- Fire evaporating water and drying out anything it comes into contact with.
- Heating from exercise or metabolism producing body heat and sweat, drying the body.
- Spicy, hot foods like peppers and ginger producing a drying effect in the mouth.
- Caffeine and stimulants having a diuretic effect, increasing urination and drying the body.
- Very active, energetic people tending to be thin and sinewy, with less fluid retention.
- Rapid breathing during exercise or exertion drying airways and throat.
These examples reflect how yang qualities like heat, stimulation, upward/outward movement, and activity all contribute to dryness in different circumstances.
Examples of yin being wet
Here are some examples that demonstrate the wetness of yin:
- Bodies of water like oceans, rivers, and lakes being moist, fluid, and humid.
- The moon’s gravity pulling on these large bodies of water and the tides.
- Cold, inactive people tending to have more body fat and fluid retention.
- Sugar and sweets having a moistening effect in the mouth.
- Descending energy causing fluid accumulation in the lower body, like edema in the ankles.
- Inward, contractive movement stagnating fluids and causing mucus production.
- Nighttime and early morning having high humidity as moisture cools and condenses.
- Winter weather being dark, cold, and humid.
These examples reflect how yin qualities like cold, stillness, contraction, and descent lead to moisture accumulation and wetness through various mechanisms.
Significance in traditional Chinese medicine
The dryness of yang and wetness of yin have importance in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). TCM practitioners seek to balance yin and yang to promote health.
Some key connections between yin/yang and dry/wet in TCM include:
- Illnesses caused by yang deficiency tend to involve cold, clammy sweat and copious urination as the warming, drying influence of yang is reduced.
- Yin deficiency illnesses involve dryness of mucus membranes, fever, and constipation as fluids become depleted.
- Balancing spicy, drying foods (yang) with moistening, cooling foods (yin) can treat imbalances in the body.
- Acupuncture and herbal remedies aim to adjust yin and yang by either drying or moistening the body as needed.
- Yang deficiency causes the accumulation of excess yin fluids and phlegm, while yin deficiency dries out the fluids.
- Lack of sweating and urination suggests yang deficiency; excessive sweating and urination suggests yin deficiency.
So balancing the dryness of yang and the wetness of yin is an important principle in traditional Chinese medicine, used to promote health and treat disease.
Yin/Yang Organ Pairings
In TCM, the organs are viewed as yin or yang based on their energetic properties. The yin and yang organs pair up to balance each other:
| Yin Organ | Yang Organ |
|---|---|
| Heart | Small intestine |
| Spleen | Stomach |
| Liver | Gallbladder |
| Lungs | Large intestine |
| Kidneys | Bladder |
| Pericardium | Triple burner |
This allows yin and yang organs to balance each other through their complementary energies and functions. For example, the yin lungs work with the yang large intestines in respiration and immunity. Imbalances between paired organs contribute to disease in TCM.
Dietary recommendations
TCM diet therapy utilizes yin/yang classification to tailor dietary recommendations.
To address yang deficiency causing chills, fatigue, and excess yin, drying warming foods are recommended:
- Chicken, lamb, beef
- Ginger, garlic, cinnamon, chili peppers
- Buckwheat, amaranth, quinoa
- Walnut, chestnut, almond
For yin deficiency with dryness, inflammation, and heat signs, moistening cooling foods are recommended:
- Pork, duck, eggs
- Tofu, peas, squash
- Pear, banana, mango
- Barley, adzuki bean, black bean
- Seaweed, mint, spinach
Aiming for balance between drying warming yang foods and moistening cooling yin foods helps correct deficiencies and maintain equilibrium.
Lifestyle adjustments
Lifestyle changes can also address imbalanced yin and yang having effects like dryness or excessive dampness:
- Dry skin, hair, eyes – Increase hydrating fluids, moisturizing skincare/haircare, steam baths (yin).
- Constipation – Increase hydration and consume more fruits, vegetables, healthy fats (yin). Reduce drying foods like coffee, diuretics (yang).
- Afternoon fever, night sweats – Avoid excess spicy foods, alcohol, exercise in evening (yang).
- Chronic pain – Apply warmth through heating pads, warm showers (yang); avoid cold, raw foods (yin).
- Anxiety, agitation – Practice meditation, yoga (yin); reduce stimulants like caffeine (yang).
- Weight gain, fluid retention – Increase movement and warming foods (yang); reduce processed carbs, sugar, dairy (yin).
Making lifestyle adjustments to balance yin and yang can help relieve symptoms of imbalance involving dryness or dampness.
Importance of harmony
While yang is dry and yin is wet, it’s important to recognize yang qualities within yin and vice versa. The goal is finding balance and harmony between yin and yang, not eliminating either force entirely. Extremes in either direction can cause problems.
Signs that yang and yin are balanced include:
- Good energy levels
- Regulated body temperature
- Healthy appetite and digestion
- Regular elimination
- High quality sleep
- Healthy skin, hair, and weight
- Emotional equanimity and resilience
Cultivating harmony between yin and yang allows their opposing forces to complement one another, promoting vitality and wellbeing. While yang may be dry and yin wet, integrating these qualities is key for optimal functioning and health.
Conclusion
In summary, the dryness of yang and wetness of yin reflect core aspects of these opposing yet complementary forces. Yang is linked to fire, heat, stimulation, upward/outward movement, and activity, all of which have a drying effect. Yin relates to water, coldness, stillness, inward/downward motion, and receptivity, which results in fluid accumulation and dampness. Recognizing these dry vs. wet attributes helps inform diet, lifestyle, and wellness practices that harmonize yin and yang for optimal health according to traditional Chinese medicine principles.
