Making Sense of Symbols: Yin and Yang in Zurich

Abstract

The widely known Yin-Yang symbol (Taijitu) is based on nested circles of different radii whose areas are colored black and white such that the interface traces an $\mathcal{S}$-shaped curve. We address the question of how this symbol can be related to physical phenomena such as daytime and nighttime duration and the annual seasons. Using a simple dynamic model of daytime duration, we introduce the excess daytime fraction and reconstruct the symbol using the latitude of Zurich. In particular, we explain how the black and white areas are linked to the stability of Yin or Yang predominance. We further demonstrate that the Golden and Silver Ratios found in the geometry of the symbol carry meaning with respect to the Gregorian calendar. Finally, we construct an alternative Yin-Yang symbol using logarithmic spirals with the Golden Ratio as the growth parameter. The didactical quantitative derivation of the Yin-Yang symbol and its grounding in real-world observations can be regarded as a novel perspective on this iconic pattern.