Yin and Yang

　　Yin (lunar or negative) and yang (solar or positive) constitute a very important part of traditional Chinese philosophy.

　　For thousands of years, the concept of changes between yin and yang has exerted a profound influence on Chinese people’s knowledge of the world and their daily life. It has also played a vitally important role in the theory and practice of wushu.

　　Yin and yang in wushu theory: The Book of Changes says, “There is taiji in the changes, which is divided into two polarities.” The two polarities are exactly yin and yang. The name of “Taiji Quan” (shadow boxing) is precisely based on the theory that the taiji (the supreme ultimate) is divided into yin and yang, and yin and yang are integrated into the taiji. Wu Shu says in his book Records of Arms, “Attack is yang, and defense is yin.” In Theory of Taiji Quan,Wang Zongyue wrote, “You should know about yin and yang: adhering means moving away, and moving away means adhering； yin is not separated from yang, and yang is not separated from yin. Only when yin and yang are put together, can you acquire the knowledge of strength.” In Illustrations of Chen-style Taiji Quan, Chen Xin said, “The key to Taiji Quan lies in two words: ‘opening’ and ‘closing.’ The wonderful thing of yin and yang as boxing lies in being each other’s root.”

　　Yin and yang in wushu: In wushu drills, if the palm faces upward, it is called the “yanghand”； and if the palm faces downward, it is called the “yin hand.” For example, when performing Yinbaqiang (Yin-Handle Spear), practitioners often hold the spear with the palm facing downward. This is called “yin hand.”