However, the teachings of Taoism emphasize the importance of balance and not focusing too heavily on one thing. With the importance of success in the American culture today, it is difficult to find usefulness in emptiness and avoid extraneous activity. The pot’s use comes from emptiness….Having leads to profit, Not having leads to use.”Ģ4: “According to Tao, Excessive food, Extraneous Activity Inspire Disgust.” There were several lines from “Tao Te Ching” that emphasize the importance of balance even with a value like success:ġ1: “Clay is fired to make a pot. Americans are focused on being incredibly busy with achieving, regardless of the form of that achievement. One of these values, success, stood out to me greatly.

During class discussion, several American culture values were brainstormed by the group. While the yin-yang symbol emphasizes balance and the importance of having both sides of what the symbol represents, American culture is far from embracing the symbolic representation or any deeper meaning that the yin-yang symbol represents.

John Bellaimey breaks down the yin-yang symbol and its meaning into simple metaphorical examples and clarifies the meaning and history behind the symbol, which is commonly misunderstood by those not educated in the Chinese culture. The yang is the lighter side that represents brightness, passion, and growth. The dark side is associated with femininity and shadows. In the short clip attached, John Bellaimey explains why we all contain the spirit of yin and yang and what each side of the symbol represents. The yin-yang symbol holds its roots in Daoism/Taoism, which is a Chinese religion/philosophy.

History of yin yang philosophy