Goal:
To explore the concept that there is potential for both “good” and “bad” in people.
To introduce the symbol of Yin and Yang

Activities:
1. Read the story “The Half-Boy of Borneo.”

2. Discuss:

3. Yin Yang Symbol with Drawing instructions

The Chinese have a symbol for this same idea which you probably know—the yin-yang symbol. It expresses the idea that opposites in the universe (day/night, light/dark, hot/cold, good/bad, etc) are forever struggling with each other, and wholeness is found when these opposites come together as one. It’s interesting to think about—could there be day without night? light without dark? hot without cold? good without bad?

Yin is the Chinese word to describe one of the two opposite forces. Some of the words to describe Yin are: cool, night, at rest, female, dying. Yang is the Chinese word to describe the energy force which is opposite Yin. Some words to describe Yang are: warm, day, male, active, being born. Taoists call the whole circle around Yin and Yang the Toa (pronounced Dow) meaning “the way,” or the way of nature. The two forces go together, they are both good, both necessary, both equally important in making up the balanced whole.