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The yin-yang symbol symbolizes the intertwined nature of order and chaos. This Taoist symbol portrays order (white) and chaos (black) as two intertwined serpents. The symbol’s white half contains a black dot, and the black half contains a white dot, indicating the possibility of order transforming into chaos and vice versa. Taoists believe that walking the border between order and chaos is “the divine Way.” As he studied world mythologies and religions, Peterson came to believe that this “Way” is the key to Being, or reality. Order is necessary for stability, while too much order can become oppressive; similarly, too much chaos can be destabilizing, yet without chaos, learning and growth aren’t possible. Thus, the yin-yang symbolizes the balance Peterson sees as ideal and recommends to readers through his 12 rules.
Yin-Yang Quotes in 12 Rules for Life
The 12 Rules for Life quotes below all refer to the symbol of Yin-Yang. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
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Overture
Quotes
Order and chaos are the yang and yin of the famous Taoist symbol: two serpents, head to tail. Order is the white, masculine serpent; Chaos, its black, feminine counterpart. The black dot in the white—and the white in the black—indicate the possibility of transformation: just when things seem secure, the unknown can loom, unexpectedly and large. Conversely, just when everything seems lost, new order can emerge from catastrophe and chaos.
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Get the entire 12 Rules for Life LitChart as a printable PDF.
Yin-Yang Symbol Timeline in 12 Rules for Life
The timeline below shows where the symbol Yin-Yang appears in 12 Rules for Life. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Overture
The Taoist yin-yang symbol portrays order (white) and chaos (black) as two intertwined serpents. The white contains a...
(full context)
