150 Significant Yin Yang Tattoo Designs (2023)

The yin and yang is a symbol that has fascinated and fascinated mankind for hundreds of years.

Dating from ancient China, the symbol is often seen but rarely fully understood.

Along with the infinity symbol, yin and yang are one of the most popular options for pure symbolism to incorporate into tattoo designs.

Deceptive in its simplicity and recognizable even after significant color and style changes, yin and yang offer an amazing field for creativity in tattoo art.

The symbol

Before getting a yin yang tattoo, it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with the origins and meaning of this ancient symbol.

Yin and yang are in the form of a circle with a light side and a dark side separated by a curved line. The black side is yin while the white side is yang. In addition, both sides have small dots in the color of the opposite side.

As we'll see in a moment, all of these nuances are there for a reason and serve their purpose of conveying the meaning behind the symbol.

Meaning of Yin and Yang

The icon represents the concept ofdualityin Chinese philosophy.

Seemingly opposing forces that appear to contradict each other may actually be complementary and interdependent, according to this notion.

Though opposed, forces such as day and night or light and darkness continue to coexist.

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The concept of yin and yang gives rise to further philosophical discussion, leading to the conclusion thatbalanceit is the key principle that sustains and gives meaning to the universe.

Would there be light if there was no darkness? Would something mean "good" if there was no "bad" to compare it to? Both sides of the circle are needed to form a whole.

The small dots of opposite color on each side of the symbol represent the idea that both sides carry a part of the other, further underscoring the interdependence of opposing forces. This means that nothing is absolute.

The fact that the line separating them is curved instead of straight is understood to mean that there are no simple and absolute divisions between two opposites.

Story of Yin and Yang

The origins of the concept of duality and the symbol can be traced back to the Yin Dynasty around 1400-1100 BC. trace back.

The idea of ​​dualism represented by yin and yang has influenced countless philosophers and scholars, particularly those associated with Taoism and Confucianism.

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Asian martial arts, medicine, art and literature, politics and faith bear traces of the yin and yang philosophy.

The symbol is believed to have come from the ancient Chinese system of timekeeping. A stick was used to measure the changing lengths of shadows throughout the solar year.

According to some sources, the daily changes in a pole's shadow closely approximate the shape of the yin and yang sides.

According to this theory, yin (the dark side) begins at the summer solstice, marking a time when there is less daylight and more darkness.

In contrast, yang (the light side) begins at the winter solstice, when the days are at their longest.

Meaning of Yin and Yang tattoos

Knowing all this, what does a yin yang tattoo mean?

Broadly speaking, that's itbalance. According to the philosophy represented by the symbol, balance and harmony are necessary to live a fulfilling life.

Philosophy teaches us to calmly embrace the duality of life: the ups and downs, the good times with the bad, the joys with the difficulties and challenges.

The tattoo also represents the idea ofintegrity, especially the totality that is out of balance. It can mean being complete or striving to be complete.

A yin yang tattoo can also serve as a reminder of thatNothing in this universe is absoluteand everything has a limit and an end.

As such, it can be a symbol of hope: even the darkest night has a tinge of light and must end at some point. Even hard times have their good times and they have to come to an end at some point.

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The idea of ​​not having absolutes leads to another meaning of the yin yang tattoo: to remind us that it is impossible to always be one thing.

For example, there is no strength without weakness, and nobody can be 100% strong and completely invulnerable. The yin yang affirms that we are all more than one thing.

Another meaning of a yin yang tattoo is that ofrenovation– The symbol represents, among other things, the passage of time and the cycle of life.

Fluidity is part of icon design: it's not uncommon to see somewhat hypnotic and mesmerizing animations online in which the icon slowly rotates.

A yin yang tattoo that represents both wholeness and renewal can also meana lot. The symbol and the philosophy behind it are based on concepts that are considered eternal and unchanging, such as day and night, darkness and light, fire and water.

If what you are primarily looking for in a tattoo is the meaning of infinity, consider that as wellinfinity symbolfor your desired design.

Yin und Yang-Tattoo-Designs

For such a simple symbol, the yin yang yields an incredible amount of creative representations.

Isbasic yin yang symbolIt makes for a tattoo that is elegant in its simplicity and fully scalable: it can be small enough to fit behind the ear or large enough to cover the entire upper back.

Dekorative Yin-Yang-Tattoos

Some of the most impressive tattoos in the yin and yang category are those that use graphically complex imagery to represent the opposites denoted by the symbol.

For example, if yin is night and yang is day, why not fill the symbol halves with actual images of night and day?

This approach opens up endless creative solutions, such as:

winter and summer– Yin symbolizes winter, yang symbolizes summer. A winter/summer landscape can be used to fill the icon on each side.

water and fire– Yin is water, yang is fire. Consider removing the outline of the circle and taking a more creative approach, allowing the flames and waves to 'spill' freely, creating a more contemporary and dynamic design.

north and south– Yin is north, yang is south. For example, to represent this particular duality, you should have a slight overlay of a properly aligned card over the symbol.

earth and sky– Yin is the earth, yang is the sky.

night and day– Yin is night, yang is day.

valleys and mountains– Yin stands for the valleys, Yang for the mountains. This idea can make for a spectacular tattoo in the hands of the right artist, although it also likely requires quite a bit of space to do the artwork justice.

Yin yang tattoo with a mandala

AMandalasIt is a complex and intricate geometric pattern, usually circular. It has its origins in Hinduism, where it has complex spiritual meaning. In contemporary Western culture, its simplified form is understood as a pattern that symbolically represents the cosmos.

It's easy to see why combining the yin yang tattoo with a mandala in one design is so popular - the two elements together make perfect sense.

Typically, the yin-yang is placed at the center of a circular mandala design that represents balance as the central principle of the universe.

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Yin Yang with a lotus flower

Another common combination is that of the yin-yang symbol and the lotus flower. The lotus is a powerful symbol in various cultures and traditions, most notably in ancient Egypt, Buddhism and Hinduism.

For Buddhists, the lotus symbolizes purity above all: it is a beautiful and delicate flower that appears flawless, although it only grows in murky water.

This contrast between the pure flower and the muddy, "impure" environment in which it thrives has led to other associations, such as that of spiritual enlightenment: the pure spirit rising above earthly matters.

For the ancient Egyptians, the flower was a powerful symbol of rebirth and new beginnings, which ideologically fits perfectly with the concepts of yin and yang.

Interestingly, different colored lotus flowers have slightly different meanings. Consult our article dedicatedLotusblumen Tattoosfor more details.

Yin Yang Tiertattoos

Another interesting option is to create a yin-yang shape using animal shapes. This type of design has been very popular lately just as animal tattoos in general have grown in popularity.

There are many possible versions of this idea, usually featuring two animals of the same species but different colors intertwined in a yin-yang pattern.

Some tattoos use simple outlines and cartoonish animal shapes. The more complicated designs feature realistic looking animals with a higher level of detail.

mythical creatures such asdragonjPhoenixThey are also a great alternative to animals.

Tiger and dragon yin yang tattoo

It is quite common to see yin yang tattoos consisting of a tiger and a tigerKeep going, intertwined in the pattern of the icon. The tiger and orange color represent yin while the dragon and blue color represent yang.

For more tiger tattoo ideas go tothis guide.

koi-fish-yin-yang-tattoos

Koi are fish related to carp that are farmed in Japan specifically for their colorful appearance. In traditional art and tattooing they are often depicted in pairs in the form of yin and yang.

The shape of the fish is perfect for fitting into the halves of the symbol and the eye falls right where the dot of the opposite color would.

Symbolic meanings associated with koi include courage, ambition and perseverance, as well as overcoming obstacles and succeeding in the face of adversity. Most of these meanings derive from the koi's endurance and ability to swim upstream.

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Passende Yin Yang Tattoos

The yin yang symbol is a popular choice for matching tattoos, especially for couples. One of the interpretations of the forces represented by the symbol is that of relationships.

This is reflected partly in the feminine and masculine forces that represent the sides of the circle, partly in the long-held belief that "opposites attract".

As matching tattoos, each person gets the symbol tattooed in its entirety in the same spot, or each person gets half of the circle tattooed so the tattoos “complement” each other.

things to consider

As with any body art, there are three important considerations before getting a yin yang tattoo: theDesign, Isplacement, and theArtist.

The first two will be somewhat interdependent. Simple designs, like the traditional and basic yin yang tattoo, are suitable for any space, they can even be small enough to fit on the side of your finger.

If you go for a complex and intricate design, it probably needs to be relatively large. This is to absorb the ink and leave enough space between lines and individual elements. A lack of space can lead to disappointing results: the tattoo doesn't look as good as it does on paper and doesn't age very well as the lines start bumping into each other.

Your tattoo artist can advise you on the suitability of your design for your chosen location.

Another consideration related to the placement of your yin yang tattoo is whether you would like it to be on display most of the time or if you would rather keep it private.

Of course tattoos are in areas like thatPuppet,forearm,ankle,Kalb, and the neck will be difficult to cover. If you want to keep your tattoo hidden, consider itreturn,Breast,Magen,airtightÖshoulder– these are all pretty basic areas that can be covered even in casual wear. HeGenickIt's also an option if you have long hair.

Finally, perhaps the most important choice of all: the tattoo artist. To be fair, a simple yin yang symbol tattoo doesn't require much expertise on the part of the artist. It is still very important to choose reputable and well-maintained tattoo parlors - hygiene and experience are crucial to ensure a safe and enjoyable tattoo experience.

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