Blog #24
Opposing forces of change in the universe
I decided to critically analyze the Master of Two Worlds through the Chinese principal of Ying and Yang. Then to further look at the ideology behind gender roles possessed by Ying and Yang through the feminist theory.
The legalist of the Han Dynasty attempted to standardize culture and philosophy, which led Han thinkers to try and unify all the rival schools of thought. This was known as the Han synthesis, which explained the metaphysical of the universe. The essentials of Ying and Yang say that the universe is run by a single principle, Great Ultimate. The principle is divided into two opposing principals Ying and Yang. Both produce one another and over come one another. Yang is the principals of male, sun creation, heat, light, heaven and dominance. Ying is the female principals, moon, completion, cold, dark, material forms and submission. Ying and Yang exist constantly, each opposition creates the other; no one principal continually dominates the other or determines the other. Since no one principal dominates, all conditions are subject to change in their opposites. Ying and Yang are opposing forces of change in the universe, which means: Forces change into their opposites in an eternal cycle of reversal. One principal produces the other, all forces have within them the seeds of their opposite state. Even though an opposite may not be present, since one principal produces the other, no force is completely devoid of its opposite state.
Master of Two Worlds: Once the hero crosses the threshold, he comes to realize that there really is nothing separating his home from the new world. He now understands the differences and the balance between the comfortable safety of his home and the new world. With this understanding, he has also balanced his character and mind.
The Monomyth stage of Master of Two Worlds in parallel to Ying and Yang are about finding an understanding of the current universe. The Master of Two Worlds has to find a balance between his home and new world. With this enlightenment comes a balanced character and mind. Who one was in the past made one who one is in the present. The Two Worlds are each other’s opposites; one produces a duel identity in the new world. Understanding the Ying and Yang between the Two Worlds reflects the changes that have come and the balance that was achieved.
Ying and Yang is about understanding the balance between the two principals. One cannot exist without the other; you couldn’t be who you are without your past. The symbolism of sun and the moon, in parallel to old world and new world. Change comes about from the opposite, with change comes time, over time we all change. Change in our immediate universe is produced from our current opposite force in which we are confronted with. Understanding that changes are brought about from an opposite force shows inner balance and understanding of the universe.
Critically analyzing Ying and Yang through the Feminist Theory raises a strong debate. Why is Yang principal of maleness represented through sun, creation, heat, light, heaven and dominance? Ying the principal of femaleness is represented through the moon, completion, cold, dark, material forms and submission. Yang male qualities are all very strong qualities implying success and DOMINANCE. Whereas females are personified through dark, cold and submission adjectives that imply failure and inferior.
