The origin of yin yang tattoos stems from some of the most ancient principles of philosophy and cosmology. first conceptualized around the 3rd century BC. c., by the Chinese school of yinyang, this iconic symbol has great meaning.
Unlike the Western belief that black symbolizes evil while white is recognized as good, yin yang holds that both are equally necessary to achieve balance. In this yin and yang philosophy, opposites continually attract each other, and things that may seem separate are considered a unified whole.
If you’re interested in getting your own cool yin yang tattoo, read on to learn more about the meaning, history, and symbolism behind this ancient design, as you explore our favorite picks of yin yang tattoo ideas! !
yin yang tattoo meaning
yin yang tattoos have been popular for a long time…sometimes seen as a staple of 90s tattoos, along with Chinese and Japanese calligraphy. Due to the tattoo’s powerful meaning of yin and yang, it’s no wonder people continue to be inspired by the philosophy behind it.
meaning of the yin yang tattoo 1: unity in opposites
Because yin and yang are considered attracted opposites, each half symbolizes specific qualities.
For example, yin, the black side, embodies femininity, darkness, earth, even numbers, and the spirit of all things. while yang, the white counterpart, embodies masculinity, light, the sky, odd numbers, and the shape of all things.
The myth behind these creative forces is that they arose during the chaotic birth of the universe. when yin and yang came into existence, their perfect balance in the cosmos conceived the first human being to walk the planet, known as p’an ku.
meaning of the yin yang tattoo 2: the connection between the earth and its inhabitants
A little known fact about the yin yang tattoo design is that it also reflects the shadows cast on the earth during the annual solstices and equinoxes. this mirror effect works to represent the connection between the earth and its inhabitants.
Just as yin and yang energy is made up of our light and dark components, it is also connected to the earth, the cosmos, and the changing seasons. the ancient Chinese believed that a force known as “chi energy” is influenced by these seasonal changes, being pulled in opposite directions after the solstices end.
meaning of the yin yang tattoo 3: the symbol of Taoism
When tattooing, it is important to know where the symbols originate from and what they mean. Some symbols are associated with a particular philosophy or religion, while others, such as the heart design, are recognized for their meaning around the world and do not have exclusive ties to specific regions or schools of thought.
The yin yang symbol itself is associated with the Chinese religion and philosophy of Taoism, and although its roots are rooted in ancient spiritual teachings, it is considered perfectly acceptable for a person of any walk of life to select this image for a tattoo. .
yin yang tattoos are generally chosen by those who wear them due to a resonance with the deep meaning behind the symbol.
Whether you want to get a simple yin yang tattoo or a larger, more intricate piece, the symbol itself holds great importance as it works to explain the universal forces both within and without us. Although the design itself and the teachings behind it are considered ancient, it’s always interesting to see the contemporary ways yin yang can be transformed into, such as heng yue’s yin yang dragon body suit.
Keep reading to learn more about the origin of the yin yang symbol and its historical significance!
origin and history of the yin yang symbol
Where do yin and yang come from?
It is believed that the origin of the yin and yang forces stemmed from the chaos of the creation of our universe, and the seat of both forces is said to rest at the center of our earth.
The yin yang symbol originated during the 3rd century BC. c. and was first introduced by zou yan, a chinese cosmologist. Yan believed that as life progresses, it continually passes through five different phases: water, metal, wood, and earth. These earthly elements are believed to have shaped our planet, while also representing the human phases of death, rebirth, growth, maturation, and life.
In ancient China it was believed that the theory of the five elements, combined with the energies of yin and yang, worked together to demystify changes, stages and events on earth and in life.
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Which is yin and which is yang?
The dark swirl inside the circle represents yin, while the light swirl serves to represent yang.
Each counterpart is believed to symbolize different qualities, with yin believed to contain the energy of shadows, femininity and transformation, and yang containing masculine energy, creativity and warmth. find the full list of attributes for yin and yang below!
Is yin or yang more powerful?
Neither yin nor yang is believed to have more inherent power than the other, but if an energetic resonance is stronger within one person or thing, it is said to weaken the other half.
It is considered important to keep these two energetic opposites balanced within oneself in order to achieve harmony. Just as day turns to night and light casts shadows, light or “good” energy and darkness or “bad energy” depend on each other to exist and must form a cohesive balance to achieve wholeness.
these concepts also reflect the ideas put forward by carl jung regarding the union between the shadow of the self and the outer person.
yin tattoos
yin tattoos can be used to represent a specific set of energetic qualities within the yin yang symbol.
Traditionally, the yin side is associated with femininity and the moon. Yin energy is said to have the greatest influence on the earth during the winter solstice and is believed to be the source of the spirit within all things.
Other attributes associated with yin are:
ColddarknessValleyspassivitywatertransformationsmoothdirection northEven NumbersThe Color Black
yang tattoos
Those looking to balance the masculine qualities within themselves can benefit from a yang tattoo!
yang represents the “light” side of the whirlpool and is commonly associated with creativity, and is believed to have shaped all things. Yang energy is known to be represented in various forms including; dragons, solid line trigrams and the color blue.
Other attributes associated with yang are:
the color whitethe direction of the surffireheatmountainsodd numbersactivity/actionhardnessthe sunsky
10 popular yin yang tattoo designs and motifs
koi yin yang fish tattoo
Koi fish in feng shui and Chinese culture are believed to represent the attributes of luck, prosperity, perseverance, courage, and abundance.
Koi fish are also believed to represent several of the life lessons we all face during our earthly journeys. When considering the yin and yang koi fish tattoo, it becomes clear that there is an important connection between these two symbols.
yin yang koi tattoos work wonderfully to represent the forces that move the earth, the heavens, and even us!
Also read: A guide to the mythological creatures of the Japanese irezumi
yin yang dragon tattoo
The symbolism of the dragon is said to be representative of more traditionally masculine “yang” qualities, such as: courage, strength, and fortitude.
Those who wish to get a yin and yang dragon tattoo can use the art to inspire balance between the two sides, by creating images that seek to enhance the yang qualities.
Dragons have always been a popular choice in the world of tattoos and combined with yin and yang imagery they convey a deep and powerful message.
Also read: magical beings, folkloric forces: dragon tattoos
yin yang wolf tattoo
Wolf symbolism alone often works to express feelings of loyalty, spirit, guardianship, and ritual.
By combining the wolf with the image of yin and yang, the tattoo can be seen as a tribute to the Native American concept of “the two inner wolves”, or the belief that each of us possesses a “dark” and “light” side. the tale warns us that whichever side we nurture will grow within us, making the wolf yin yang tattoo a possible reminder to nurture the qualities we wish to emphasize within us.
Also read: howling at the moon: wonderful wolf tattoos
sun and moon yin yang tattoo
The sun and moon are often used to represent the phases of night and day, male and female traits, and the conscious and subconscious components of the mind.
In this way, the sun and moon work to perfectly reflect the concepts of yin yang, creating a unique and beautiful tattoo embedded with mystical meaning.
yin yang tattoo mandala
The mandala is a very spiritual symbol that is often used in the Buddhist and Hindu religions. it is said to represent the universe and the concept that everything is connected.
The beautiful mandala design works great as a tattoo and really works to complement the yin yang imagery, both visually and symbolically.
Also read: representing the universe: mandala tattoos
yin yang flower tattoo
Flower tattoos of all kinds have always been a popular selection, but you can create a more unique and meaningful design by adding additional elements like yin yang.
Since each flower carries its own unique meaning, you can personally customize your yin yang flower tattoo, creating something more in line with your intended message.
Also read: beautiful annual flowers: birth month flower tattoos
yin yang dreamcatcher tattoo
Native Americans have long used dream catchers to help explain the nature of our reality. The dream catcher’s circular shape and woven design are said to represent the concepts of connection to all and the circle of life.
The combination of a yin yang and a dream catcher within one tattoo creates a multi-faceted and highly complementary piece, sure to help you along your spiritual journey!
image gallery: the 250 best dreamcatcher tattoos of the year
yin yang tree of life tattoo
The tree of life yin yang tattoo is another great example of two spiritual symbols working in synergy with each other.
This image within a tattoo works to express the importance of balance and can serve as a reminder that harmony in energy awakens the ability to grow and prosper.
Also read: golden spirals and sacred knots: geometric tattoos
yin yang tiger dragon tattoo
Combining dragon and tiger imagery with your yin yang tattoo creates a very powerful look that seeks to heighten both yin and yang energy within you.
The tiger is traditionally known as the animal that represents the yin side of the circle, while dragons are associated with desirable masculine qualities connected to yang energy.
These facets ensure that the tattoo itself has a balanced energy, making it a great choice for anyone looking to bring more harmony into their lives.
yin yang heart tattoo
The yin yang heart tattoo is a great way to creatively combine images typically associated with the concepts of higher and lower self, or “good” and “bad” counterparts.
yin yang heart tattoos can be used to demonstrate ideas about the polarity within the heart or to illustrate the soul’s connection to yin yang.
image gallery: the 250 best heart tattoos of the year
matching yin yang tattoos
Couples, best friends, and those wanting to commemorate their journey together have often opted to get matching yin yang tattoos.
Some choose to get the same entire design tattooed, while others get the individual half tattooed. If you are looking to divide your yin yang matching tattoo, you can choose the side that you want to balance within you or choose a side based on gender. You can always add additional symbols and images to better represent your connection to the other person and the yin yang symbol.
When selecting a unique yin yang tattoo as a pairing, there are a plethora of style and design options to choose from! some choose to use geometric elements, unusual placements, and different design elements to make their yin yang tattoo stand out.
We hope you enjoyed this collection of yin yang tattoos! make sure to upload your new yin yang piece after your booked appointment happens! we have so many artists to choose from and so many ideas that we know it will be a tattoo you will treasure forever.
